288 ON TASTE IN ORNAMENTAL DESIGN. Paet II. 



in order to overcome it, they had different gradations of size 

 for figures in the same building, from the small ones on the 

 frieze of the cella to those in the metopes, and the semi- 

 colossal ones in the tympanum. 



69. The same judgment is required for determining the 

 position and character of figures painted in fresco. For when, 

 in order to enable us to see them properly, they are made 

 colossal, an injury is often done to the building they orna- 

 ment, by taking from its apparent dimensions and disturbing 

 its proportions ; and when painted on a ceiling they will fre- 

 quently lower it to the eye, while the neck of the spectator 

 suffers torture as he contemplates their beauties. It may also 

 be doubted whether a ceiling is a fit place for figures ; except 

 under particular circumstances. In rooms, such as are so 

 common in Italy, which lead to other apartments, figures on 

 the ceiling are objectionable for this reason also : that while 

 in approaching from the entrance they appear in their proper 

 position, when you return they appear standing on their 

 heads, or at least no longer perform the due conditions of the 

 picture. Such a place is ill suited to them ; though they may 

 be more admissible on the ceiling of an alcove, or an apse, 

 where they are only seen in front. Pictures in small me- 

 dallions are not quite amenable to the same objection, 

 especially when they are subservient to the general orna- 

 mentation; and from their smaller size the figures there 

 offend the eye far less, even when they appear reversed, than 

 in large compositions. 



70. Figures used for architectural ornament depend very 

 much for their effect on the position in which they are placed. 

 Large and small statues on the same wall are generally 

 incongruous, particularly when close together, as part of the 

 same ornamental sculpture. Many too share most unfairly 

 the honours or the advantages of position ; for while some 

 stand very appropriately, at the side of the doorways of our 



