It is not possible to make any hard and fast division between Gothic and Renaissance work. The actual dates of the buildings form no conclusive key, for it has been demonstrated in the Introduction how the later development did not advance evenly throughout the country. Houses built in the traditional way, and in a mixture of styles, are to be seen in almost all old towns (page [45]). Sometimes one influence shows predominantly, sometimes another. The brick and stone façade at Delft (page [46]) has all the attributes of Gothic work, pointed arches, overhanging stories, stepped gable and pinnacles. But the spirit of the carved details is different. The heads in circles, cherubs, vases, cornucopias, lion-heads, dolphins, eagles and acanthus ornament are all subjects far removed from Gothic ideas, as are the delicately carved corbels from which the arches spring.
AMSTERDAM—REMBRANDT’S HOUSE (DATED 1606)
ZWOLLE, OVERIJSSEL—THE GUILD HALL (DATED 1571)
VLISSINGEN (FLUSHING), ZEELAND (DATED 1614)
Two other houses that owe much to Gothic influences are those from Haarlem (page [47]) and Alkmaar (page [48]). The first-named was built in 1637 and the second in 1673. The more recently dated example shows, in point of style, the earlier architectural form. Both have the customary stepped gable and window-heads, the Alkmaar examples being elliptically arched and those at Haarlem pointed. But in the latter instance the keystones are furnished with Renaissance ornaments, as is the crowning pediment of the gable.
DORDRECHT, SOUTH HOLLAND (DATED 1626)