Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7
A close-up of the
brickwork to the
gauged doorway,
71 Gasthuisstraat,
Poperinge, Belgium
(1579), showing the
comb-like marks from
in situ
finishing, evident
as the striations bridge
both the bricks and
joints.
difference in these striations to those on the Cloth Hall in Brugge. More care
has been taken to work them parallel and vertical to the jambs, and then to fol-
low the curve of the arch keeping with the coved horizontal rustications up the
pilasters framing the doorway. This feature only deviates when the direction
needs to follow the radiating voussoirs.
Viewed from a distance, especially with the tone of the brick, it is quite easy
to mistake this doorway for stonework. This re-confirms the author's long-held
belief that gauged work is the result of master bricklayers refining brickwork in
the manner of the stonemason, resulting in brick being suitable for the enrich-
ments of Gothic and subsequently Renaissance and classical styles, all primar-
ily intended for the medium of stone. In the post-fired working of bricks and
brickwork, therefore, there would have been both a desire and ultimately a
need to work the bricks like the best carving stone.
Closely jointed masonry is symbolic of individual craft pride, demonstrat-
ing an accuracy of skill and resulting in stronger construction, and appears to
reflect the sense of national pride and standards. When the Roman Empire
was at its zenith of power and state discipline, the quality of its masonry was
extremely accurate with refined joints between bricks or stones. As the Empire
declined, so did the standards of its masonry and joints widened significantly.
This was also true of Flanders.
