[DESIGNED BY BENVENUTO DI GIOVANNI DEL GUASTA
IX. THE EXPULSION OF HEROD (No. 27)
(The entire panel)
We find several notices as to sums paid to workmen for executing this frieze, but only one speaks also of work on the design itself. From this, however, we learn that it was executed by Bernardino Antonio and Cristofano di Pietro Paolo del Quarantotto.[63] The other workmen employed on the frieze were Vito di Marco,[64] and Bartolommeo di Domenico.[65] With the exception of Vito di Marco, we have no record of these men, apart from notices of their work done on this Pavement. Perhaps they were scholars or apprentices of the better-known masters, and therefore not recorded more particularly. We also read that certain millers, by name Giusto Giovanni and Michele di Ludovicho, were paid 15 lire 14 c. for the porterage of 7,870 lbs. of black marble used in this design, and that “del onperadore.”[66] (Ill. X.)
ALINARI PHOTO.]
[DESIGNED BY BENVENUTO DI GIOVANNI DEL GUASTA
X. THE EXPULSION OF HEROD
The composition is most graceful and full of force. It illustrates an episode in the struggle between Herod Antipas and his brother-in-law Aretas, as a result of which the former had to evacuate his kingdom. The picture has been well restored, a re-engraving of the marble slabs on the old lines having been, to a large extent, sufficient for the main work, though the frieze has had to be entirely renewed. A group of soldiers, among whom is one extremely striking man’s figure in full armour, has been particularly successful. Over this group, in a high tree, an eagle maybe seen protecting her nest of young ones from the attacks of a serpent, possibly alluding to the same political events referred to above. The charming cherubs, supporting a tablet in the upper part of the composition, upon which is engraved a long quotation from Josephus, describing the scene depicted, have been renewed, and the damaged originals transported to the Museum of the Opera.[67] With them is also the original tablet, which curiously enough on removal was found to be a memorial slab of an earlier date, bearing on the reverse side a fine effigy of a cleric.[68]
The last restoration of this design took place between the years 1869–1878 and, together with the Pavement around it, cost 2,156 lire 63 c.; while that of the friezes, around this and the next design, cost another 3,490 lire 12 c.