Ad vitandam confusionem linearum, proderit ut figuræ fiant his nostris multò grandiores: in quem finem singulis paginis apposita est scala modulorum. Hoc nomine intelliguntur partes æquales, in quas dividuntur lineæ latitudinis & altitudinis elevationum geometricarum; ac lineæ latitudinis & longitudinis vestigiorum geometricorum. Si moduli sint parvi, subdividuntur singuli in duodecim partes; ac prout fuerint grandiores, subdividuntur in partes triginta, vel sexaginta, vel centumviginti. Modulos Etruscum Doricúmque in partes duodecim; reliquos autem in octodecim partiti sunt.

The Ninth Figure.

The Architecture of Vignola in Perspective; and first, of his Pedestal of the Tuscan Order.

Perspective never appears more graceful, than in Architecture; for which Reason I present you with that of James Barozzi, from his Country generally call’d Vignola; which perhaps is more in use than any other; and contains the Geometrical Upright of each of the five Orders, viz. the Tuscan, Dorick, Ionick, Corinthian, and the Roman, or Composite; together with a separate Delineation of the Parts of each Order, in larger Figures. To this Geometrical Elevation we shall add the Plan, and, from both of them reduc’d into Perspective, shall draw the Appearances of Solids, according to the Rule before laid down. For Example: If you would draw the square Tuscan Pedestal, and its Pilaster, you must, from the Geometrical Elevation A, make the Geometrical Plan B; and from both of them reduc’d in Perspective, draw the finish’d Pedestal D, with that of its Pilaster on the Side, by taking the Heights from the Ground-line, and the Breadths from a Line perpendicular to the same. On the other Side we have placed the Pilaster on the Back-part, that you may practise the Drawing them in any manner.

For avoiding the Confusion of Lines, I advise you to make the Figures as much larger than ours as you can; for which purpose there is annex’d a Scale of Modules to each Figure. By this Name we understand the equal Parts, into which the Lines of the Breadth and Height of the Geometrical Uprights, and of the Breadth and Length of the Geometrical Plans, are divided. If the Modules are small, they are subdivided into twelve Parts; and according as they are larger, into thirty, sixty, or an hundred and twenty Parts. I have divided the Tuscan and Dorick Module into twelve Parts, and that of the other Orders into eighteen.


Fig. 10.

FIGURA DECIMA.