Essays on Life 



tions of this chapel were not laid till about 

 1690; the statues are probably a few years 

 later; they can hardly, therefore, be by one who 

 had even studied under Tabachetti ; but until 

 I found out the dates, and went inside the 

 chapel to see the way in which the figures had 

 been constructed, I was inclined to think they 

 might be by Tabachetti himself, of whom, in- 

 deed, they are not unworthy. On examining 

 the figures I found them more heavily con- 

 structed than Tabachetti's are, with smaller 

 holes for taking out superfluous clay, and 

 more finished on the off-sides. Marocco says 

 the sculptor is not known. I looked in vain 

 for any date or signature. Possibly the right- 

 hand figures (for the left-hand ones can hardly 

 be by the same hand) may be by some sculptor 

 from Crea, which is at no very great distance 

 from Oropa, who was penetrated by Taba- 

 chetti's influence ; but whether as regards 

 action and concert with one another, or as 

 regards excellence in detail, I do not see how 

 anything can be more realistic, and yet more 

 harmoniously composed. The placing of the 



musicians in a minstrels' gallery helps the 



132 



