Page:Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries.djvu/267

This page needs to be proofread.

194 Devon Notes and Queries, His disciples ; he evidently considered the faint conventional background to the figures as intended to indicate the moun- tain ; while the two kneeling figures he regarded as typical of the ten disciples. It is more probable that the Transfiguration is meant, that the background represents clouds, the tivo kneeling figures Moses and Ellas ; it is strange, however, that the three disciples are not seen. The figure of Christ is headless ; the head of the dexter figure is loose, but it will be re-fixed some day. (5). The Washing of theFeetofChfistaitheSupperatBethany. — There are three figures at the table, but which is meant to represent our I^ord is not clear, as Mary is turned away from the nearest figure. The standing figure behind may be that of Judas expostulating, while one of the other sitting figures is S. Simon or Lazarus. By an instinct which may possibly be right, the scene is placed before the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, whereas all the Evangelists except S. Luke record it in Passion week ; S. Luke gives it before the Transfiguration. (6.) The triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem. — He is seated upon an ass, followed by five disciples ; at the gate of the city a man spreads his garment in the way. (7.) Washing the Disciples' Feet. — Perhaps the most striking subject in the series, and in wonderful preservation. Christ kneels to wash the feet of S. Peter, behind are nine apostles ; the artist probably found that he could not crowd in even another head into so limited a space, but the absence of the twelfth figure is strange. (8.) The Betrayal. — This group is much weather-worn. Judas kisses our Lord ; behind him three or four figures with swords and staves; behind Christ are two Apostles, one of whom seems to be drawing him back with his left hand; what is meant by the little pent-house or dove-cote, on the extreme left of the picture is unknown. (9.) This has been described as Pilate washing his hands before the people ; but so to identify interrupts the sequence. It is probably Christ before Caiaphas ; Christ in a long robe stands at a table, behind which Caiaphas and possibly Annas are seated ; the other three figures are probably false witnesses. (S. Mat. xxvi, 57-66.) (10.) The Buffeting. — Two men buffet Christ with closed fists : a man on the right bears a stick on his shoulder ; half