DESIGNS FOR EMBROIDERIES 109
Lastly we have an exceedingly fine composition—the
Reception of Herod by the Baptist. The Tetrarch
has dismounted from his horse, which is held by a page
in the background, and stands talking to S. John.
Around are five mounted knights, and behind stretches
the Arno valley. The stitching is much coarser than
in the first series and the faces have little expression,
but the grouping is so fine, the horses and their riders
are so well drawn, and the landscape is so characteristic
that it must certainly have been designed by Antonio
himself.
The third series measures 21 centimetres high by 36
broad. It comprises also six scenes, three of which are
much inferior to the rest, while all show the hand of
assistants.
No. 1. The Meeting of Christ with the Baptist is
poor. The figure of the saint is badly drawn, and
there is much disproportion in the sizes of the surround-
ing persons. This is a defect noticeable in several of
the inferior designs, and can hardly be due to the
embroiderer.
No. 2. Christ baptising the Baptist is better
than the above, but seems to be chiefly the work
of assistants, while the stitching also is somewhat
coarse. The reversion of the Biblical narrative, in
which it is the Baptist who baptizes Christ, is a curious
error.
No. 3. The Descent of Christ into Limbo. This
scene is very unequal, the figures on the right being
evidently designed by Antonio, while those on the left