structure
orders
drawings
The book includes a black cover and its 84 pages, where barely every second page is filled. It is primarily talking about the five orders and all its ornaments.
It is introduced with a great picture (illustration 1) at the beginning which I guess should work as a pictured overview. He is continuing with a preface and a table of content. It goes on with the geometry explanation which is ordered alphabetically. Further on he is dedicating one page for the five orders and how they did appear. The last page from the introduction is a note of thanks. Special about the book, this is the last written page (besides headers).
In the main part of the book it has the focus on the drawings. Firstly, there is an explanation of the geometry of circles. It is followed by the Tuscan order then the Doric, Corinthian, Ionic and Composite one.
The Tuscan order is about the columns and their measurements. The scale is given by a person. Furthermore, there are the façades and their different appearance.The Doric order begins with their columns and then goes on with the capital. The whole structure from architrave to oblique geison and two pages about the entrances with their façade. The Ionic order is structured as the Tuscan order, but there is an extra page dedicated to the volute.The Corinthian order starts also with the columns but then discusses the volute extremely detailed. As known the façade is being discussed and the different capitals.The composite order is sequenced as known but on the last page are sketches from columns and capitals.
The last pages are about the ornaments. They are drawn detailed and show how the ornament did develop. Special about it is, that the also sketches animals in the drawings.
The book is letting the reader a big space of interpretation because there are no explanations or even descriptions. I am not sure if it is meant to be like this or if G. Kramer did not think of possibilities of different interpretation. On the other hand, the book is mostly in the same structure which makes a good impression. Adding that there are no page numbers can be confusing. To mention is that his pencil drawings are extremely precise, and I think it is special that he drew some elements three-dimensional. The preface is written with a black fountain pen in Rotunda, but the first letter of the page is mostly decorated.
Quote:
«Mit Lvst Vbt. Der findt kunst» Gabriel Kramer
Interpretation, who associates with lust. Finds art.
