66 THE STONES OF VENICE

been thrust into the midst of all, and has cut away part of the feet of the Madonna. Nothing remains of the original structure but the semidome itself, the cornice whence it springs, which is the same as that used on the exterior of the church, and the border and face-arch which surround it. The ground of the dome is of gold, unbroken except by the upright Madonna, and usual inscription, MR (H) V.¹ The figure wears a robe of blue, deeply fringed with gold, which seems to be gathered on the head and thrown back on the shoulders, crossing the breast, and falling in many folds to the ground. The under robe, shown beneath it where it opens at the breast, is of the same colour; the whole, except the deep gold fringe, being simply the dress of the women of the time. “Le donne, anco elle del 1100, vestivano di turchino con manti in spalla, che le coprivano dinanzi e di dietro.”*

Round the dome there is a coloured mosaic border; and on the edge of its arch, legible by the whole congregation, this inscription:

“QUOS EVA CONTRIVIT, PIA VIRGO MARIA REDEMIT;

HANC CUNCTI LAUDENT, QUI CRISTI MUNERE GAUDENT.Ӡ

The whole edifice is, therefore, simply a temple to the Virgin: to her is ascribed the fact of Redemption, and to her its praise.

§ 40. “And is this,” it will be asked of me, “the time, is this the worship, to which you would have us look back

* “The women, even as far back as 1100, wore dresses of blue, with mantles on the shoulder, which clothed them before and behind.”-Sansovino.

It would be difficult to imagine a dress more modest or beautiful. See Appendix 7 [p. 447].

† “Whom Eve destroyed, the pious Virgin Mary redeemed;

All praise her, who rejoice in the Grace of Christ.”²

Vide Appendix 8 [p. 447].

¹ [MHTHPH HOV (Mother of God).]

² [More literally, “Let all praise her who enjoy Christ’s gift.”]

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