Page:The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland ( Volume 3).djvu/218

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wall.[1] The two on the east wall are in much the better state of preservation. The upper picture represents our Saviour on the Cross, the soldier on horseback on his right thrusting the spear into his side, and numerous

Fig. 1120.—Fowlis Easter Church.

Details of Upper Part of Rood Screen.

other figures on both right and left. The lower consists of eleven panels, each representing a saint, some male and some female. The tenth panel has near the foot the Gray shield in colours. On the north wall the upper painting has the middle part entirely rubbed off, and also, to a considerable extent, the central part of the upper division; but what remains shows a large head and shoulders, surrounded with a glory. Probably this part of the picture was a representation of the Trinity. To the right of this is a female saint with a sword piercing a king's head; at her feet and behind her there probably was another figure, now wanting, to balance the two figures on the left, namely, John the Baptist, holding the lamb in his arms, and behind him the Virgin and Child. The lower division has in the centre a representation of the entombment, with three figures on either side. The panels of the other picture are not in their correct places, but they represent some figures on horseback, and others on foot—subject uncertain.

As already mentioned, the skew putts contain arms. These are as follow, viz.:—

  1. We have to thank Mr. W. R. Macdonald for descriptive notes of these pictures.