DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0596
488 SOVANA. [chap. xxvi.
These figures, from the prominence of their relief, have
sustained much injury, and are by no means distinct.
They have further suffered from a huge beech, which has
taken root on the summit of the rocky mass, springing from
above the head of the female, which it has almost destroyed,
and riving the monument to its very base. The anti-
quary may complain, but the artist must rejoice; for the
tree overshadowing the monument renders it eminently
picturesque.4
I agree with Mr. Ainsley in regarding this monument
as of a late period in Etruscan art. " There is a freedom
of design, a certain flow of outline in the figures, together
with a boldness of execution in the whole composition,
which differ widely from the primitive style of Etruscan
art." The subject is one which is not to be seen elsewhere
in Etruria, on the facade of a tomb, though frequent on
the cinerary urns of Volterra, Chiusi, and Perugia. These
marine deities are of either sex, and are often represented
with wings outspread, and with a small pair at their
temples, which are bound with snakes. Sometimes they
4 Mr. Ainsley's descriptions of this height to the frieze being 10 feet, and
monument will be found in Bull. Inst. that of the pediment 7 feet. Height of
1843, p. 157. Gentleman's Mag., Oct. frieze 18 inches; its projection 8 inches.
1843, p. 418. Ann. Inst. 1843, pp. 227— The recess is 8 feet 9 inches in height;
229. His drawing, plan, and section of 7 feet 5 inches in width at the bottom;
the same, are published in the Mon. and Tarying in depth from 3 feet 8
Ined. Inst. III. tav. I/VI. What differ- inches below, to 2 feet 8 inches above.
ence exists between his observations on There is a sort of buttress of roek on
this monument and mine (Ann. Inst. each side of the arch, now much defaced;
1843, p. 234) is explained by the seasons which Mr. Ainsley suggests may have
in which we respectively visited the supported figures of lions, or some other
spot. The shade of the summer foliage decorative sculpture. There are similar
must have greatly impeded hisinvesti- buttresses attached to a. tomb at Castel
gation; while I found the tomb exposed d'Asso. See Chapter XV. p. 237. Steps
to the full glare of a vernal sun. anciently cut in the rock by the side of
The dimensions of La Fontana are:— the monument lead to the summit of
Width at the base 17 ft. Height to the the cliff; as shown in the wood-cut at
apex of the pediment about 17 feet—the page 480.
These figures, from the prominence of their relief, have
sustained much injury, and are by no means distinct.
They have further suffered from a huge beech, which has
taken root on the summit of the rocky mass, springing from
above the head of the female, which it has almost destroyed,
and riving the monument to its very base. The anti-
quary may complain, but the artist must rejoice; for the
tree overshadowing the monument renders it eminently
picturesque.4
I agree with Mr. Ainsley in regarding this monument
as of a late period in Etruscan art. " There is a freedom
of design, a certain flow of outline in the figures, together
with a boldness of execution in the whole composition,
which differ widely from the primitive style of Etruscan
art." The subject is one which is not to be seen elsewhere
in Etruria, on the facade of a tomb, though frequent on
the cinerary urns of Volterra, Chiusi, and Perugia. These
marine deities are of either sex, and are often represented
with wings outspread, and with a small pair at their
temples, which are bound with snakes. Sometimes they
4 Mr. Ainsley's descriptions of this height to the frieze being 10 feet, and
monument will be found in Bull. Inst. that of the pediment 7 feet. Height of
1843, p. 157. Gentleman's Mag., Oct. frieze 18 inches; its projection 8 inches.
1843, p. 418. Ann. Inst. 1843, pp. 227— The recess is 8 feet 9 inches in height;
229. His drawing, plan, and section of 7 feet 5 inches in width at the bottom;
the same, are published in the Mon. and Tarying in depth from 3 feet 8
Ined. Inst. III. tav. I/VI. What differ- inches below, to 2 feet 8 inches above.
ence exists between his observations on There is a sort of buttress of roek on
this monument and mine (Ann. Inst. each side of the arch, now much defaced;
1843, p. 234) is explained by the seasons which Mr. Ainsley suggests may have
in which we respectively visited the supported figures of lions, or some other
spot. The shade of the summer foliage decorative sculpture. There are similar
must have greatly impeded hisinvesti- buttresses attached to a. tomb at Castel
gation; while I found the tomb exposed d'Asso. See Chapter XV. p. 237. Steps
to the full glare of a vernal sun. anciently cut in the rock by the side of
The dimensions of La Fontana are:— the monument lead to the summit of
Width at the base 17 ft. Height to the the cliff; as shown in the wood-cut at
apex of the pediment about 17 feet—the page 480.