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42_50 Constantinople which he can look up into the dome is by standing under it and looking straight up. In order to see it effectively one nearly breaks his neck bending backward. At St. Sophia we have a most remarkable achievement in architecture. Two half domes opposite each other support the central dome which crowns them and is supported on the two other sides by walls. The result is that from the moment one steps into this grand edifice he can see easily to the very top of the high dome and there is an amazing effect of lightness and grace. At the four corners beneath the central dome one sees a representation of the seraphim - symbolic - |
42_51 Turkey, Jan. 26, 1926 for though there are six wings there is no representation of a body. It is though this is the more effective. One wall near the floor [] a frame with the legend in Turkish: Hasten to pray before eating. On the opposite wall: Hasten to repent before dying. It is impossible for me to describe the effects of the mosaics on the grandeur of this building which was built by the Emperor Justinian. The architect failed in his first attempt with the great dome; but the Emperor trusted him and had him start all over again, clearing away the fallen walls. The device used by the architect is very simple - like nearly all great things - |
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