whether it was 
FIG. 104. a part of Arnolfo's design to cover the octagon with a dome; but no part of the existing dome nor of the existing east end is of his construction. Domical apses, too, may have been originally intended,[1] and the existing arrangement and construction may be substantially like the original scheme, though on a much larger scale. It is perhaps needless to say that there is nothing whatever of Gothic character in any part of this east end. The enormous buttresses required to support the dome are, for the most part, internal, as in ancient Roman constructions; and the dome itself is, of course, a feature which, on account of its continuous thrusts, is constructively far removed from Gothic.
Another important, though a late example of Italian pointed design is that of S. Petronio of Bologna, which was founded in 1390. The scale of this building is gigantic, though of the original project the nave and aisles only were executed. The internal system is closely similar to that of the Cathedral of Florence. The piers have nearly the same form and section, and the bases and capitals have the same general character of mouldings rather than of bearing members. The capitals, however, have the merit of being properly placed at the springing of the arches and vaults respectively. The only other features in this building which call for special notice are the solid buttresses that rise through the aisle roofs, and are carried on walls built over the transverse ribs, as in S. Maria Novella. It is curiously in
- ↑ A fresco in the Spanish Chapel of S. Maria Novella, which has domical apses, has been supposed to afford an illustration of the church as it was designed by Arnolfo; but this is now considered doubtful.
