LIFE

BE

ATO

ANG

LICO

rDA
OF

FIESOLE,
OF

THE

ORDER

FRIAR-PREACHERS.

TRANSLATED

BY

MEMBER
THE

OF

THE OF

SAME

ORDER

FROM

FRENCH

E.

CARTIER.

WITH

INTRODUCTION

ON

THE
THE SAME

PRINCIPLES
AUTHOR.

OF

CHRISTIAN

ART,

BY

AND

COMMENDATORY

LETTER

OF

HIS

EMINENCE

CARDINAL

WISEMAN.

"

Chi
the

fa cofe di Crifto

con

Crifto deve

ftar

lempre."
be."
"

"

Who

does

with Chrijimuji always thingsof Chrift,

Vasari.

LONDON:

JOHN

PHILP,

7, ORCHARD

STREET,
1865.

PORTMAN

SQUARE.

LONDON.

CAMDEN BROTHERS, DALZIEL

PRESS,

COMMENDATORY

LETTER

OF

HIS

EMINENCE

CARDINAL

WISEMAN.

London,

June 18, 1864.

Dear

Sir,
SHOULD have been

happy
to

to
"

accede Life of

to

your

requeft Angelico

by writing a
da Fiefole."
to

Preface No

the

Beato been

would fubjecl:
every

have

more

genial con-

my

in feelings

way.

An'"

Artift Saint" other

affords could embrace and

fcope for much,

It is
a

which

fcarcely any

fubjecl

combine.
you

delicious theme, and

me,

inexhauftible.

before Unfortunately
to

fpoke to

I had

already engaged myfelf

I need
not

the full I had

extent

of

my

leifure and have would fee my

my

itrength.

fpecify
But
your
a

what
can

undertaken, and truth, that

I

been have
way

to ftriving accomplifh.

with fay,

I
to

readilycomplied
to

with

had requeft, reafonable

I can,

been

able

the work

within required,

time.

therefore,only give you

this expremon
as interefting

of my that of
M.

belt wifhes, in Cartier any will

the be

fincere

hope

that

work

as

welcomed heartily
from

by
me.

readers

of

every

clafs,without
on

fpecial

recommendation

Standing purely

its

own

merits, it

ought

to

prove

eminentlyfuccefsful. Wifhing you

I Yours
am

every
ever

bleffing,

very

in Chrift, fincerely
N.

CARD.

WISEMAN.

Mr.

John Philp,

7, Orchard

Street,
london.

portman

square,

THE

AUTHOR'S

DEDICATORY

LETTER.

TO

THE

REVEREND

FATHER

HENRY

DOMINIC

LACORDAIRE,
OF

OF

THE

ORDER

FRIAR-PREACHERS.

Reverend

Father,
DARE the
to
not

prefent
of your
a

this
name.

book

to

the
me

public
to

without it

addition
you.

Permit
I

dedicate benevolent

It

is

fervice

beg

of

your

affection. Beato

Angelico
firft of
to

da
me

Fiefole admire
of

is

one

of

your

predeces-

fors,and
the

you

were

the arches

make
convent

his

mafterpieces under
I have

confecrated the work Dame that

:

the

S. Mark.

written

his

Life, with
But Notre
my

defire

of

giving

high
my

and

holy

idea

of

Chriftian the
your

Art.
of

gives
and
I

but

poorly

thoughts
pages
may

beneath under

pulpit

place thefe imperfect

heard
your

patronage,

in order
own

thofe

who

words

complete

them

by

their

remembrance. When God He

gave

chofe
you,

you

to

re-eftablifh zeal
the of

the the He
you

Order

of

S.

Dominic of

in

France,
Chriftian

with
us

the
to

Apoftle, the
now

power you

the

artift, to
have and

guide
us

truth.

rewards the
you

for the
of

good
the much.

you

done

He

withdraws
you

from

fad have

pageant loved
;

world,
At

re-gathers around again,

"

the the

youth
True

lb
you

Soreze,
art,

you

teach

and

Beautiful
You

exercife fouls
to

the great the

;

An

artium, regimen

animarum."
to

fafhion
have you you. your

image
and

of God,

by communicating
may

them

the

gifts you

received find
one

whatever beautiful

be
fweet

the
in

glory
the and

of

your

bye-gone days,
which
to

more

and

affection know
how

furrounds underftand

Happy
heart.

are

thofe

who

live

near

you,

May
number

God
of

blefs
thofe who

all your
know

works,
and
love

my you.

dear

Father, and

multiply
Cartier.

the

E.

College

of

Soreze,

April

28th,

1857.

Dear

Sir

and

Friend,

O of

have Fiefole Order of

dedicated and of S. in

to

me

your

Life

of
to

Beato the taken

Angelico days
tunity opporI

thus

recalling me
you have that I

belt the

of

the

Dominic,
me

reminding
for it.

of

days
you,
me

are

no

more.

thank

you

Like

think the

that

God of of

has the the and life ;

recompensed
world,
and

me

too

much,
for

by withdrawing
me

from

pageant
wreck

preferving
He them. be
not

in

my
me.

retreat

pious

miniitry
love and

which ferve
if

had

entrufted What the

You

to

I live I wifli of that of the

again
in

amidft

youth,
of

more

could

the who

decline have

Nothing,
known

it

remembrance allure

thofe

formerly
and fure It is you
to

and

loved

me.

me

it is faithful

to

me,

give
find

me

proof
the

of it in of So

the

dedication artift it and

book, in which
of
a

am

again
deal

touch

an

piety
to

Chriflian.

great
for
my

at

once.

I leave the

to

God of

recompenfe
my

you,

renewing
and

own

weak

part,

expreflion

high

elleem

hearty

affeclion.

Fr.

Henry

Dominic

Lacordaire,

Ot

the

Friar-Preachers.

[The
of

Very

Rev.

Fr.

H.

D.

Lacordaire

clofed

his

life

at

the

College

Soreze,

November

22nd,

1861.

"

Tran1.~\

LIFE

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

INTRODUCTION.

"

Chi

fa

cofe

di

Crifto,

con

Crifto

deve

flar

fempre."

Who

does

the

things

of

Chri/i,

with

Chrijl

mujl

always

le."
"

Vasari.

E manife its and thinks is

higheft
(ration efforts the he the

meaning
of
tend

of

Art

is

the All end he what

the

Beautiful.
that

towards refts attained

artift has

only
it. What

when But
is

Beautiful? which ravifhes ? its

that
and

power

the What ?

foul,
are

wrings

from
its

it

cry its

of

admiration and difficult

its

principles,
and

form,

means,

end

Profound
above

myfterious
in
an

queftions,
when

to

determine,
feems

all

age

pride

of

reafon

again

xii

INTRODUCTION.

language. Let us feek an anfwer,however, by examining the phenomena which the prefence of the Beautiful produces in ourfelves. the We but perceivethe Beautiful by the fenfes,

punifhed by

confuflon

of

pleafurewhich
us,
not

found, fhape

and

colour The

caufe

in

does fee

not
nor

ftop with
underftand the
centre

fenfation. the

animal Man

does alone

Beautiful.

analyfe what he perceivingexperiencesin thus interiorly that he judge's beauty in an object,we fhall recognife by laws independent of that object: and it is the of thefe laws that man application approves. His pleafure increafes, when, by a natural motion of
of his

enjoysit in

being;

and

if

we

his the

mind,

he afcends from end

effect of this

to

and caufe,

difcovers thefe

beginningand
not

application ; for
reiide in
a

laws do that

exift

by themfelves,but
realizes
a

being
thus
a

and pofTeffes becomes

them,

and

the Beautiful

manifelted relation the

not

between

two

language which eftablifhes of art A work intelligences.

and well he who but exprefTed,

is

alfo

of an idea ; expreflion if it is only perceives if it is exprefTed with a

there of
means are

fees this idea

judges

fuitable aim.
of
at

Hence
a

two

ways look

beauty in recognizing
the

work the the

art.

If taken

we

caufe of its form

and
to

to
;

realife if
we

it, we
look of may

judge
to

it

according
of this

laws
we

of

nature

the

aim

form,
thefe and the
1

judge

two

by the laws then, form afpects,

Natural of every
rationem

it

morality.1 Under
natural reprefent which befits

moral
nature

beauty.

beauty is that

being, and
caufe

comprifesintellectual
cutem

Pulchrum

habet

formalis, bonum

rationem

caufe

finalis.

(S. Thom.,

i, q. 5,

a.

4.)

INTRODUCTION.

xni

and

tion beauty. Intellectual beauty is the radiaphylical of the divine Intelligence beauty is the ; phylical image of it,and can only exift through it as an effect What is called fenfual beauty is through caufe. which diverts it from of it, moral merely a corruption Moral beauty flows from the beauty,its true end. divine will, and regulatesthe relations of beings of the amongft themfelves, and the correfpondence finite with moral the

infinite.

The

union

of

natural

and
pletely com-

beauty conffitutes
fatisfies the foul
;

the

perfect beautywhich for it prefents to it the

Beautiful in its end. and reflects the True

True The

in

its

and principle, is
a

the

Beautiful
on

mirror

which

Good

the But

and intelligence what is the

will.
in itfelf? How The does What it is its

Beautiful ? it?

its necefiary form efTence, foul

the pleafe is the

that loves
the

and

feeks

Beautiful

the fplendour of light, unity; it is viflble unity, the unity of being in its fubflance., in its elements and relations, and life, The principle elements of unityare, order, harmony and proportions, its life is its expanfion, and its radiation in variety. The beautiful more objectsunity embraces, the more it is ; and in each viflble unity we perceivethrough its relations a Hill greater unity. We afcend from the unity of a grain of fand to the unity of the celeftial fpheres thus, ftep by ftep,we arrive at ; and the prefence of God Himfelf.1 We cannot now template conthe Firft Unity, face to face ; but we perceive it through fecondary unities, juft as we admire the

evidence,

magnitudine

enim

creator specie!et creaturae, cognofcibiliter poterit

horum

videri.

xiii. 5.) {Sup.,

xiv

INTRODUCTION.

of daylight in brightnefs
;

the the

thicknefs

of

the in

mond dia-

and

this

ray

of

divinityfet

every

creature

is its beauty,becaufe

it conftitutes

The it finds does

not

the Beautiful,vifible unity, pleafes therein exift The its

unity.1 foul,becaufe

its

without.

joy, peace and repofe. The foul and true of itfelf, and its centre unityis intellect feeks unityby knowledge, and
all its the clailifications ; and analyfes of the unknown, it myfteries Firft

unity it purfuesin
and when it reaches

hails

unity again
may it attaches

in

that

Caufe,

on

which

its

weaknefs love
;

repofe. The
itfelf to
all its dehtes chief

will alfo the tend

for unity. requires

unity difcovered
to

by

the

and intellect,
as it,

be

more

united

with

with

its life and then

good.
want

The

Beautiful

fatisfies the two-fold

of the

foul,becaufe
track of

vifible

unityis
the

flam

of the lalt

a infinite,

towards light

firft and

unity,which

Plato other

has laid, that definitions. The

the

Beautiful

is the

fplendour of

the

True.

Here

are

fome
Pere

Andre.

Beautiful

has

order

for its foundation, and

unity

for

its

eilence. IJ'inckdmann.

Unity
Beautiful

and
is

are limplicity a

the two

real fources

of

beauty.
of

Mengs.
Ticck.

The

vifible

an perfection,

imperfect image

fupreme
but
in

perfection.
The Beautiful the is
a

and unique fingle

the

ray of

heavenly brightnefs ; decompofed.into a

paflingthrough
colours
and
a

prifm

of

imagination,it is
Beautiful
"

thoufand

thoufand The

tints.
efience of the
is

Mendeljjbhn.
Pere Lacordaire
and

unity in variety. Correfpondant, 25

has defined
"

beauty,

The

expanfionof being in light, harmony,

Touloujr.
Feb.,

grandeur

goodnefs."
of

Conferences de

1857.
S. Thomas
a.

Aquinas fays,
"

Pulchrum

eft

cujus apprehenfioplacet. (I.q.

2" Etdebita
colorem

r,

4.)

Ad

pulchritudinem
diminuta
3

tria

requiruntur.
ipfo turpia sunt.
unde quse

i" Quidem

five perfeftio integritas ;

qua

enim

funt, hoc

propoitio,five
nitidum

conso-

nantia. dicuntur."

Et

iterum

claritas:

habent

pulchra

elfe

(Id,q. 39

INTRODUCTION.

XV

muft the

be its

happinefs ;

for the foul finds in God abfolute

alone

good. knowledge Unity is the aim of all the efforts of life, and love. Order, peace, family, country and happinefs *e nothing elfe but unity ; and the beauty which it viiible, makes to the foul a foretafte of heavenly gives
beatitude.
the
even

True,

the

the Beautiful,

But

this

joy

of the foul is fruitful. the Beautiful,

When

intellect has
to

feen the

will is moved
to

love.
to

This

it defires impreffion
to

reproduce
Beautiful. appearance
But

without, and
wills Its of
;

communicate alfo itfelf to

:

other

intellects and the

it wifhes is Form

manifeft

means

this word

the expreffes
our a

the phenomena things, form is the

an

that ftrike

fenfes.

external the will and

manifestation

of
an

fpiritual one,
and fenfe
a

of imprefs
:

idea,the fign of
is

intellect

thus taken, form

it
art

language

in its widefr

by

manifefts of
art

the Beautiful.1 is founded will have

can on

The
nature.

power

refemblance

to

Intellect
manner,

and

the fame

laws,live
communicate

in

the their

fame life

and

mutually

their fcience and love. by interchanging is infinite knowledge and love, as the two God great definitions atteft which has He given of Himfelf. faid to Mofes Under the law of fear,He proftrate Who I am before the burning bufh, Ego Jum am, Again, under the law of grace, He faid to quiJim" His breaft during the Laft S. John, fupported on is love, Deus The flrft caritas eft'." Supper, " God the fecond, to love. act of life is,to know; For us,
"
1

fcimis quae i'unt fine materia, veniunt

formae

quae Cunt in materia.

(Boetius,
in intelkctu

in lib. i, De Omnes

Trinitaie.)
et motus

formae

in iis infetioribus

fluunt

k foimis

quae

lunt

alicujus intelligentiae. (S. Thom.,

i, q. 65, 4. c.)

xvi

INTRODUCTION.

thefe acts have in

date in time

for

God, they have

none

a knowledge eternity.The firft Being poffeffes from it is without beginning; and the love refulting ancient and as as great as the being and knowledge

He

unites. God
and
man can

communicate
of
art

by
free

art, fcience and

act

love. from

Every
the

work The

will.
means

intellect the

of

proceeding will,indeed, requiresof the depend on the laws art, which

a are

is

of nature, but

thefe

means

fubordinate

to

the aim muft be

which

the will the of mail

to propofes

itfelf; and like the

this aim What

to fubject

moral
art
we

law What

will. the

is the

moral And bad? The the God

law how

rule muft whether

artifh follow ? be

know

his work

good

or

Firft Caufe

is the

viflble and Himfelf and

invisible

law of fupreme and neceffary world ; and by doing what the artift knows in his work. how God
to

has
moral

done,

unite

natural

beauty

has

the

of art, becaufe He has the perfection of perfection being, intellecl: and will. Not only does He enjoy this fecundity, this internal activity, of which tion revelabut He gives us a glimpfein its myfterious light, fhows Himfelf outride His too efTence, by drawing beings out of nothing,and creatingforms ftamped with His own perfections. Why is God an artift? Why does He not remain alone in the bofom of His immutable ? Since eternity He is the beginning of everything, ing nothingcan be wantto Him and be added His infinite happinefs in to the If He has created contemplation of Himfelf. it is becaufe,through His incomprehenflble anything,

INTRODUCTION.

XVll

goodnefs, He
in His
own

loved

thofe

poffible beings He
willed
to

faw
to

thought, and
with

communicate

them, along
which
is determined

exiftence,the light of that beauty

The

perfect happinefs.
His power
to

goodnefs
of ages

of

God

create

and fpirits

bodies.1
up
to

Yes, by tracingback
Firft

the

courfe of

this the and God tween beand

Caufe, the thought

alone the
we

which

dazzles
moment

to we come underftanding, ineffable beginning,wherein

folemn
can

fay

that

made

heaven

and and
art

earth,and
of God

eftablifhed and

relations

Nothing
matter.

Being, time

form eternity,

That and if we

is the

type
law of

of

the

art

of

man,

ftudy its marvellous

the is conditions
one

we workings,

fhall

find

in them

and

the
our

creative divine

which faculty,

of the

fineft traits of

refemblance.
Before the form the

Supreme
He

Artift took had

to

the work
was

in

hand,
;

of what

make

in Him

and

there it is frillin all the

unityand beauty of its beginning creation having exhaufted and end, without or than a mirror changed it any more impairsthe image
it reflects. The firft form of
a

work

of

art

is in the
man

thought of the artift. This form comes without, becaufe he does not derive
from from and This human
1

to

from

his is

own

himfelf. His effence

But
;

in

God

the

form

being infeparable

becaufe devoid

Nothingnefsis
is that eternal fcience
Deus fit

nothingexifted before Him, of infpiration and power.

the

form,
in

manifeftations
as

of which

feeks

nature, fuch
primus
quoque

the

general
eft.

Ciim

primura

agens,

finis omnium
non

neceffaiio agere

Omne

agens

agit propter

finem.

Primo intendit

vero

agenti

convenit fuam

proper

fed alicujus finis, acquifitiontm

foliim
a.

communicare

perfeclionem,

quae ejus bonitas.

(S. Thom.,

i,q. 44,

44.)

xviii

INTRODUCTION.

laws and

life,motion, powers beings,genera, fpecies, truth immutable, : numbers, which regulateeverything ad infinitum which our ignorance is dividing
of

but

which

we

mail

one

glanceat
When

the divine God willed

with day contemplate light.

to

Angle
and

reveal Himfelf

to

us

in time

He created matter not by a fimpleacl: which we canfpace, from form,1 but comprehend. Matter is infeparable changes in bodies,without yet diftincl from it. Form the leaft atom of them. Created form is deftroying the outward fign of God, the echo of His Word, the reflection of His and echo and as fplendour fign, ; reflection are more perfecl in proportion as they of beings approach their model, fo too the gradations in the vifible and invifible world are regulatedby the them from their Author. diftance that leparates God and
matter
are

the

extreme

limits

of form

and

the

farther form
it The
in

is removed the
more

from

matter, the God.2

more

tiful beau-

and is,

it refembles

Word,
are

that Art
all

of

the

whom

livingand
mod

wife and Almighty God, eternal firfh of all ideas,3

felf. fenfible image of Himperfect He is the true For light which enlighteneth Juft as the Eternal Light is the life of the world men.4 fo is created light the life of the world of fpirits, of created
1

the light,

Deus

non

poteftfacere materiam

effe line

forma.

(S. Tho.m
i. q.

i. q.

66,

a.

10.")
ei

Omnis

forma, quanto
et

tanto nobilior,

magis
eft
De
,

dominatur

materiae, et

minus

immergitur,
3

magis

earn

fua virtute excedit. filius Dei

S. August
ars

(S. Tho.m.,
Patris.

76,

1.

c)
De
Dei

Dixit

Auguftinus quod
ad

(S. Bonaventura, to.)

Verbum

Reducl.
. . . .

art.

Theologiam.
forma
et

1. vii, c. Trinit.,

eft omnis

compago

et

concordia

partium.

(S. August.,

Trait.

in

Joan.)
4

In

ipfovita
hominem

erat, et vita erat venientem

in

lux hominum.
nunc

Eiat

lux

vera,

qua?

illuminat

omnem

mundum.

(S. Joan. I, 4. 9.)

INTRODUCTION.

XIX

in nature ? myiferies of motion, of form, the mainfpring It is the element the neceifity of all beings. Light is the inftrument Invifible as fpirit, and of the will for God man. and quick as thought, it is everywhere potentially, in its awaits only an act to manifeft itfelf. Admirable does external phenomena, it enlightens our eye as God intellect.1 It difcovers objectsto us, and diverfiour bodies. Who could
recount

its

fies and finite

reflects itfelf in

colours, as

the

infinite in

has made it vifible in the fun to things. God Himfelf made the world, as He vifible in enlighten darknefs ; and that immovable our a body to difpel focus produces the ineffable harmony of day,the unity of tint, of colour,the gradations the play and variety of light and fhade, and the changing wonders of every to inanimate hour, which feem to give life and motion bodies.

opened to light the immenfities of space. He created the ffars, whofe For its palace, numbers diftances our calculate ; and He and cannot ciphers traced the paths and curves they have followed with from the beginningof tract ability perfect ages. The Supreme Artift then fafhioned the earth : He
God ifretched
out

the

lea

and

main the

land,modelled
courfes of with life

the

mountains
and and

and

horizons, drew
them fheds everywhere and with
non

rivers

ocean-fbores, decked
and fruits,

verdure, flowers

earth peopledthe air,

and
1

endowed
Terra

them

abundantly.He with animated waters beings, wonderful but it fecundity :

poteft. Ergo
effe nulla
et

nili luce illuftrata videri

ilia quae

in

difciplinis

traduntur, qua
dtndum
,

veriflima quifquisintelligit,
non

eft

ea c

concedit; crenil! ab alio quaill'uo fcle illuftrentur. (S. Aug., pofle intelligi,

dubitatione

Soliloq 1. i.

5,

i.)

XX

INTRODUCTION.

was

only
At

domain a preparation,

which

awaited

its

mailer. God laft, took

a

made

man

to
to

His form

own

image
his

and

like-

nefs. He

littleflime of

into his face the breath

and life,

man

body, breathed became a living

invifible
a

foul/ uniting the

worlds where piece, general laws

beauties

of the viiible and His in

in his two-fold fcience of the

nature.

body
their all

is

mafterthe

ftudies, as

centre,

univerfe,and
vafTals who

faithful and
So

devoted

beauty of the fall is,to have loft the chaftifements of the original of it. But calm and pure contemplation happilythis Who can beauty ftillappears upon the face of man. thofe admire outlines, even enough thofe harmonious that commanding thofe fuppleendlefs lines, traits, living
brow,
one lingle

great is the

beings feem his empire. recognife body, that one of the

thofe alone

eyes, that of which throne

mouth,
is able of
to

thofe wound there

very

hairs,a

the heart.2

The

face is the

life :

repofed the
like-

creative nefs and

;

breath,which

has

given man
its moft
a

his divine delicate

there the foul manifefts

thoughts
tone

moft

emotions,with fleeting
tint which refembles the God moft Man
are

finenefs of fkilful

and

of variety render. and and

pencil cannot
His

by
the which

his foul.

intellect

will

in relation with the

will,by
The

light of

fupreme intelligence nated. they may be illumiknows,

and

foul knows

what

God

loves

Formavit

igiturDominus

Deus

hominem eft homo

de

limo in

terrae, et

in infpiravit

faciem
ii.
7

ejus fpiraculum vitae,et

faftus

animam

viventem.

7.)
Vulnerafti
cor meum

in

uno

oculorum

tuorum,

et

in

uno

crine

colli tui.

{Cant. iv. 9.)

xxii created
render This the

INTRO

DUC

TIO

N.

beings
back
to

to

underftand
an

their

Him

and intelligent
was

external

manifeftation
was

not

language, and free homage. iincc neceflary,

fufficed for His

teftimonyHe

givingto

Himfelf

His and He goodnefs was not fatisfied, ; but juftice His willed through love to communicate happinefs and goodnefsby He has reconciled His juftice to us. that hapto pinefs, acquire leaving His predefinedcreature God has veiled by a trial in the vilible world. His effence
:

creation

is

revelation

of

His

hidden

which may lead man, by faith and love, up prefence, of supreme to the contemplation beauty.1 The real aim of creation, then,is the homage of the
creature
can a

to

the Creator Him this

and

in the

man univerfe,

alone

render
means comes

of

homage. it. God obtaining

from

beauty is only is its beginning and end :

Natural Caufe
clothed in

it

forth

its Firft

the

of its beginning fplendour ; but in order to be crowned of its end, a free act is needed, and with the glories that is moral beauty. God has preparedand revealed has enlightened his understanding, it to man but : He has flopped before his will, which muft complete the

work, and He
or

awaits its decifion. work

The of

free will accepts God fo

to

refutes

; ;

if it accept, the but

end

has

been

fuccefsful for lefs,

if it refufe, it

becomes,

propofedby divine been attained,and the Almighty is conft rained to of juftice demand the glory He expefted of love. God has made the artift of moral man beauty,the and free voice that confecrates the world to its intelligent
1

the

ufefpeak, goodnefs has not

Laudent

te

opera

tua,

ut

amemus

te

et

amemus

te,

ut

laudent

te

opera

tua.

(S, Aug.,

Con/.,xiii,33.)

Author and

and

for this He him him

has created

him

to

His and

image

made likenefs,

capableof knowing
means

loving
known

Him,
to

and

given
word

alfo

to

make

himfelf

his fellow-creatures. which

Man makes

poffefTes language,that
him know
on

internal that order word

to

his exiftence
his

which reveal the

becomes

incarnate

the motions
on

of his

thoughts of his will : that unique

dividing or
foul of

in lips, underilandingand word

which

ftrikes

the The

multitude
orator

without
is

itfelf. altering artift.

man.

pre-eminentlythe
which communicate

In His

every
voice

way,

he

penetrates the very

the founds

thoughts exact nefs and with delicacy of expreffion mufic an cannot fpeaks to the eye by give, and his action will flrive to gefturesand attitudes the fculptor copy. the light, whilfl the blood back His look flames paints
modulates all his emotions He arranges
on

his

the features architecture

with of his

the richeft colours. fets difcourfe,

and
as

the

all

in order, number, which Man he deilres

an

weight
to

and

meafure,
there

the
a

truth

reveal

appears

in

is not he

orator
a

alone, he also
and

fixes

his

temple. thoughts

by ilgns;
frees the him

is

writer time

from

and

His fpeech man. literary fpace,goes without him to

and
to to

extremities

of

the

world

the

remoter!

rations, gene-

communicates
immortal moft free

itfelf

all, and

acquires an
is the moll:

in intelligences. pofterity Language of art, becaufe it is the powerfulmeans and faithful image of thought. has other
too
means.

Man

God
a

lends

him

matter,

and

permits him his fky and

to

create

world,

in which his

he makes

horizons, and
chifel

diilributes
to

light

at

pleafure. His

gives birth

the

rich

vegetation

xxiv

INl'R

O D UC

TIO

N.

of ornament, with and

man

and look love

peoplingit fculpture images. But this world of architecture, paintingmuft be a temple. God does not lend them ; inftruments His materials and to profane the when the work is clone, it is necefTary, too, that, full of of the Supreme fhall find it good, that is, and juftice.
and his fcatters pencil
art

life by

The

of

man

muft

be like the order be

art

of

God,

and

its

reflection and faithful be

echo, in

that this echo

may the

repeated and
and

this reflection and

reproducedin
all may

fouls of his fellow- creatures, the praife muft Lord.

that

ledge acknow-

As the

the artift-man

acquirethe
and when

of his art, beginning eternal truths exprefTed will communicate underftood ftrive
to

and by by creation, with His the Creator

;

his intellect and

he has feen and

glory, he
and aim

will tell it
to

by

his

works,
of is

and

communicate

others the

he experiences in happinefs Imitation

nature

knowing
the
true

lovingHim.

is

not

of art, for fuch imitation

plete always incom-

and

of moral rude, and is only the fign or writing To be

an

beauty.1
be
a

juft and good, the

inftruction.
man

art

of

man

muft

prayer

and
art

Has
1

the

of

been

juft and
beauty.
; and
.

good
.

?
aim

Has

the

Moral

beauty is the
In nature,
nature

foundation

of all true

The
mere

of art is to of the attains

;

exprefsmoral
former.

by aid of phyfical beauty. The

this does

latter is the in

fymbol
art

fymbol
not

is often

obfcure

it, clearing
may

effefts which
once

always produce.
an

Nature

pleafemore
forms the

for,

for all, (he of the

in poffeffes,

incomparable degree,what
eye,
"

greateft
in

charm

imagination and

life.

Art

is

more more

touching, becaufe,
to directly

moral expreffing the

it addreffes beauty efpecially,

itfelf

the fource

of

deep
Form

emotions.
cannot

be

form
an

alone, it muft
interior

be

the

form
is

of

fomething. Phyfical
moral

beauty
and du

then

is the the

fign of

beauty,which

and fpiritual

beauty
Du

therein Beau

and unity of beauty exifts. ground, principle

(Cousin,

Frui,

et du

Bien, vii. et viii. lacon.)

IN

TR

ODUC

TIO

N.

X XV

pupil remained
had

faithful
a

to

the

Mailer's

leflbns ?

God

placed him in beautywas to rife

the flowers
life
was

garden
incenfe of

of

towards

Him of

where moral delights, with the perfume of prayer. and Adam's moral ntft

and

the

the

union

natural

beauty :

and moral beauty beauty cheered his intellect, his pure animated his will. Light and heat penetrated this knowledge and from foul,and the art refulting natural
love
was

but The

the
art

rebounding
of Adam
was

of his

fource.
the echo of poem

lightback to its fong of adoration,

his

of harmonies

heard

within his

foul,the

nation ema-

felt within pleafures

heart,the
to

admirable
:

which

confecrated

creation

its Author and in

art

juft and
art

fublime, art
with the

rich in
art

knowledge
Himfelf.

love,

blended

of

God

Unhappily things changed ; and natural rated from moral beauty. Unfatisfled with
of the
tree

was

fepafruit

the

of

which life,
with of

in

the

terreftrial
man

paradiie
the

and made a good and evil, difaftrous trial of his liberty. He wronged divine and goodnefs,and became of reflecting juftice incapable them in his works. Sin ftraightway weakened man's creative faculties ; and his intellect, blinded by the fenfes, loft the intuition which without effort penetrated into had
to

fymbolized his union of the knowledge tree

God,

touched

the

nature

and

relations of

things.
the doubts Beautiful

He of
was

feek

for painfully falls of his gaze

;

truth athwart
error.

ignorance and
obfcured
to

The

and

the

will, depraved by

re-afcended more no concupifcence, by viflble forms to unity and primeval beauty. of feeing not By fin,man only became incapable

xxvi

INTRODUCTION.

and

the Beautiful, but returning and and in

nature.

alfo

impaired it
form

in

himfelf

The its which

foul

is the

of the

body1
is the

communicates likenefs which

beauty to
it has

it. This

beauty
from its

divine

received

and Creator, work that of

man

it muft
:

increafe
when

by

love.

The

great
that of

lies there

and

death

raifes the veil will be

conceals

the degree of it, for God

can

likenefs

recompenfe ;
Himfelf:

love

only
abides
a

what

refembles

the reft is lifeless and

in death.

over plaftic power leffens its beauty ; and when iin fets it in oppofition to its auguft model, the body, felt it that mafterpiece of the vifible world, necerTarily brow loft its radiant crown, and creation deeply. Man's

then, the By free will, the body. It increafes or

foul has

fmitten evil physical

in its centre, which

was

itfelf infected

with

the

punifhedthe
of ? the
art

fault.
of
man

What
remain

then
true

became and

Could

it

good
been

himfelf By feparating from his

from had the alio him rude

God,

man

had the his

fevered
his

life. He

weakened

Strengthof
lefs
to

of capable

underftandingand will ; in feeingbeauty lefs, he was renderingit back. Ignorance led

creature

light of

confound

the

and

the

Creator him
to to

in the

one

attracted worfhip.Concupifcence of the and fenfes, God pagan, had

art

pleafures
In coming be-

made

him him

confecrate
means

his vices the

temple

given

to

build.

juftnor true. It has been only a falfe prayer and teaching out with; and man, love for his gods and fellow-creatures, artift was an in order to acquire riches and glory. through intereft,
1

has been

neither

.'nima
"

eft

caufa

finis efficiens,

et

formalis

sui

corporis. (S. Thom.,

a.

i.

q. 9c,

a.

2.)

Anima

eft forma

iii, corporis. (Id., q. 75,

6.)

IMR0DUCT10N.

XXVli

How

is this fallen

art

to

be railed up

and again,

its

The creative and goodnefs reftored ? juftice original of nothing, ftill worlds took out Word, who made God. He united for glorifying admirable means more Himielf lifhed the
to

human

nature, and

thus

at

once

re-eftab-

alliance of perfect

natural and

Mercy
peace gave He

and have

truth

have

met

each

beauty. and other, juftice

the
new

moral

kiffed1 in His

and perfon,
to
man.

Artift

back

the divine likenefs

to

reftored

and ftanding, beauty fupreme death. Never

By His blood, life of the foul,lightof underhim him ftrength of will, and mowed
even

in God
more

poverty,
viiible

and fuffering than

on

was

the

towards juft infinitely raged. God, iince the Victim was equal to the MajeftyoutHe was good towards men, becaufe infinitely died for them ; and the world, cleanfed He voluntarily in His perfon, and transfigured can now worthily glorify has againfound the art of man its Author. In Chrift, and goodnefs. juftice
was

heightof Calvary.2 In offering Himfelf,Chrift

Chrift is the type and

model

of the

artift.

Perfect

has left His lips and He eloquence flowed from ; wherein book a truth,beauty us by His Evangelifts and goodnefs are fhown in all their fplendour.In plan of the forming the Church, He gave the new raife to his Creator ; and muft temple which man will be the eternal its form, imitated by all the Saints, of divine art. mafterpiece

Mifericordia

et

Veritas obviaverunt

iibi ; juftitia et pax

ofculatae iunt.

fPfulm

Ixxxiv., i j.)
2

Dialogueof

S. Catherine

of Sienna, ch. xxvi.

*
n

XXVlll

INTRO

DUC

TION.

For the
art

the eighteen centuries, of Chrift. them

means

Church

has

continued

She with
to

adorns

builds monuments, writes, fpeaks, and and paintings, fculpture manifeft the hidden God aim fhe

employs
upon
are

every

her

altars. To

Her make

and infpiration, principle Him known and

there.

loved,

all the magnificence of her worfhip. Not difplays and fend forth her only does fhe confecrate her priefts but fhe choofes her artifts, apoftles, too, to enlighten fouls and
remove

them

from

the feductions

of

falfe-

hood. Chriftian and

He who
matter

always at ftrifetogether. who is not for Chrift is againftHim. The artift raife the foul to does not God, detains it in it away from and turns truth,in order to ;
pagan
art
are

debafe who

it in the

enjoyments
it
can

of

the

body

whilft

he the life

offers it the doctrine which makes No

one

likenefs and
two

Gofpel, prepares in the divine participate

remain indifferent
to

of the

beauty.
and
cover

thefe

arts, for in their

man's ftruggle
art

Pagan
remains

Chriftian the But earth

have

is decided. deftiny a hiftory. Their blanched

on a

like

bones the

battle-field.
can

knowledge, like
bones and
to

make their

thofe forms render

live

back

fouls.
to

prophetEzekiel, and again, give them They fhall be railed

nations
are

and again, The that

homage
monuments

the Lord.1

broken tell the

of

witneffes

caufes is the of this

of their

art people's

the

relation

and decay. A greatnefs of a doctrine and expreffion ; doctrine truth explains that to
fcietis

Et

dabo

vobis

et vivetis, et fpiritum,

quia

ego

Dominus,

(Ezech.

xxxvii, 6.)

XXX

INTRODUCTION.

man

Why

this

decline,fo
thefe
art

evident
art

and

fo

rapidr
the The

The
to

caufe is very
its

iimple. Pagan

owed

its wonders

beliefs ; religious of of
:

beliefs fell before bent the with

examination

reafon,and
Socrates
was

them.

martyrdom
double ruin and What it from

Greek alone

Plato became its

beginning of this and art perifhedtogereligion ther, their noble obfequies. made
art

of pagan

when

reafon

had
to
a

chafed
ferve in

imaginary Olympus ? It went until the train of Alexander's fucceffors, meeting it in a croflway of Corinth, led
and gave it
as a

Proconful,
to

it

Rome,

Emperors. Art had then raife gilded the bricks,build amphitheatres, knead to of its ancient houfes for Nero, and replacethe head gods by that of Caligula. But thefe humiliations and not were enough. Reafon had impoverifhedit, faith came It frill had to give it incurable wounds. enjoyments and honours in the palacesof the Caefars. left to it when had planted But what was Chriftianity the Capitol the Crofs of Calvaryon ? Shame became and it was its portion, condemned exiftence to the guilty in vice and work of thofe who in the made. fpeculate After having fignalized the caufes of the greatnefs and fall of pagan examine the history art, let us rapidly of Chriftian art. When the fongs of the earthly had ceafed, and man doomed to toil and was paradife the fentence. to mitigate tears, a merciful promife came It was mould crufh the proclaimedthat the woman head, and Chrift be lifted up between heaven ferpent's and alliance. The earth, as the lign of the new
flave
to

the

Redeemer

of ages
a

the

world

marked

out

for

Himfelf

through

propheticpath, in

which

the

Patri-

INTR

ODUC

TIO

X.

x x

xi

archs hailed

His

by His its glorious deftinies.

We and fee

and paffage, myfterious art, unfeen enabled to was prefence,

rated regenerelume

it,from

the very

altars firft, railing

to

God,

facriflces which to were be, among offering every people, the indelible evidence of the fall,and the univerfal fymbol of the atonement. Art, true and good, under the mild features of Abel, offers the

choice

of his flocks the

to

his

Creator, whilft

on

its fide
ears

egotiftic art, in
of corn, and
out

perfonof Cain, keeps its beft becomes At unjuft and homicidal.

the ark, God
the chofe adorers

the

coming
felf
:

from whilft

for Him-

pride of man, who would fain raife an of his power, is punmonument everlafting ifhed by the confufion of languages, and goes carrying afar his errors, faithful art finds an afylum beneath the of Abraham, and in traverfing tent Egypt prepares itfelffor the greatnefs it in the defert. awaiting To lay hold of Chriftian art arightin its whole, it
and muft
as

be remembered Chrift

that the revealed

has
not
come

truth

is

as

old
to

the world. it.

to

change, but

complete
man,

Juft

as

fo Chriftian Old Teftament.

art

the firft dates from Chriftianity find its gloriousorigin in muft Whether before
or

the

after been

the its

coming of the Saviour, Chrift has infpiration.Are not the canticles

thofe of the
art

always
of the date

Church

temple
time But

of Solomon

We

Chriftian
us

from

the

when

it clothed

itfelf for

with

material forms.
are

and paintarchitecture, fculpture ing of that of

art ;

only the means eloquence and poetry,

and

its life and of and the

foul is
mind

exuberance

heart, that

richnefs

images

affections,

xxxii

INTRODUCTION,

which Let
us

overwhelm

us

with in

victorious

lightand

heat.

put the Bible

which
Law

one

fcale of the

balance, and
art, and remain.
on

heap
we

into the other the

on

fhall fee

of pagan mafterpieces fide the advantage will Chriftian

art

If under the

the Old

did

not

put

all

could give it, pencil it was owing to an order emanating from the wifdom wifhed and Providence Himfelf. to of God feparate His peoplefrom the nations who had made diftinguifh
ornaments

which

the chifel and

idols

to

themfelves. lawful and

But

Chriftian

art

did

not

the lefs

indifputable fuperiority. We have feen Greece giving to pagan art its fineft that the great days of Athens developments; but now them let us compare and of Jerufalem are no more, by Literature is the principal what theyhave left us. and fundamental and part of art : by it others are infpired Who nurtured. would dare to deny a brilliant victory
a preferve

to

the

books authors

of

the

Hebrews

In

vain

have

the
;

Greek their

prefervedtheir harmonious weakened dread rivals, by tranflators,

Behold them in the

forms
not

the
true

conteft. and and moft venal

ode, which
Can the

is the the

ft

lofty ftyleof
enthufiafm verfes of of

poetry.

factitious

Pindar, or
be

voluptuous and
with the and radiant

frivolous songs of

Anachreon,

compared

David, fo

full of ftncere adoration

be fet majefty? Will the diffufenefs of Herodotus the admirable of Mofes, the jefts of againft simplicity Socrates of Solomon, the or againft the maxims tragediesof Sophocles and Euripides againftthe afflictions of Job and the lamentations of Jeremias? Is it have
not

juftto give the crown that of a divine already

of and

genius to thofe who ? royalantiquity

INTRODUCTION.

Yes, under
of

the Old

Law,

Chriftian

art

was

ficent magniended

chant, which

began
when the

with

Mofes,

the

conqueror
was

Egypt
the Him

on

the

mores

of the Red
at

Sea, and
hero

by
arms

aged Simeon,
who
was

laft he received

into his The

and infpirer

of it.

celeftial harp given to and the

to

announce

the Deftred

of Nations

foothe of

the

expectationof Him, pafted from

lifter exile
to ;

hands

Aaron's it into rivers of

Judith
Ifrael

and

Debora;
the brate celefrom

Tobias willows

carried of her the

it,before
feftal We

Babylon ; divine maternity, drew a it to the Church, me gave

not

hung it on and Mary, to laft harmony

to

make

her

refound. praife muft

art

believe, however, that before

Chrift

Chriftian that

had

only

it mould He

fo prelude,

willed glory. God literary its future ficence. to fpeak, magnithe

chofe fkilful artifts to work traced

out
was

materials,

and ark

Himfelf which

Solomon

pages may

delcribingthat give fome idea of

prove ftillbetter knew

plan of the holy to placein his temple.1 The of Jewifh worfhip, monument
it ; but the facl:s of

for Mofes

the

Alexander, who
the fecond thofe who aftonifhment who fucceflbrs, had

tory profane hisits grandeur and beauty. When all the wonders of Greece, vilited caufed
one,

temple,which
and
reverence

regret and
he the
was

tears

in with

feen the ancient

;

ftruck

and

Ptolemies, his
civilized

reignedover
ad

the moft

cityof
Befeleel intelliex

Locutufque eft

Dominus de tribu

Moyfen,
et

dicens

Ecce

vocavi

ex

nomine

filiumUri, filiiHur gentia, et fcientia

auro,
et

Juda,
opere,

implevi eum
excogitandum

et Dei, fapientia, fpiritu

in

omni

ad
et

quidquid
Et in

fabrefieri poteft

argento,
Ooliab

et aere, marmore,

gemmis,
de

et

diverfitate

lignorum.
corde

Dedique
eruditi

ei focium

nlium

Achifamech

tribu

Dan.

omnis

ut faciant cun6ta pofui fapientiam,

quae

tibi. praecipi

(Exod. xxxi.)

xxxiv

INTRODUCTION,

the Now have

world, continued
the

to

honour

it with is

their

offerings.

temple
the

of

Jerufalem
of
a

adorned is

Chrift
man

triumph and accomplished,

art.

its fpoils deftroyed, Titus, the prophecy of

era

new

has

begun

for

and

Chriftian

The

as Church, patient

her

eternal

Author, did
It
was

not

haftily give art

firft of all, to
love mind
to

all its

development.
to

neceffary,
fcience and

communicate

fouls

the

fhe and

his had and when man purified pofTefTed ; fhe reftored heart in the martyr's fufferings, forms which Artifts of Greeks under
a

him

the ufe of the material had

not

and the

Romans

fo

much

profaned.

Emperors,
difcredited misfortune

knowing what to make by reafon,had fquanderedit

and fhame of the world
:

divinity on beings the they perfonified

Tiberius,Nero
thofe infamous
and the The
ples tem-

power
and When

and

virtue under
! had

the features of

Meffalina

contempt

done
were

to juftice

and apotheofes,

the idols
art

overthrown

Chriftian deferted, had

began itswork.

Church

Bible completed by : the given it the programme the Gofpel; God the vilible in Chrift, as fupreme type ; His beauty reflected in the Virginand in the Saints. To this theme of inexhauftible the fecundity Church joined again a fymbolifm which extends the its means of celebrating fphere of art, and multiplies the conflicts and triumphs of Chrift. The of teachings S. Hilary, of S. John Chryfoftom, and of S. Ambrofe the facred pulpitlike fruitful feed, and S. fell from Auguftine gave artifts admirable efthetics in his treatife De Vera Religione. Chriftian from Rome with the art, fetting out

INTRODUCTION.

XXXV

reachers the

of the

Eaft

extended gofpel, and Weft, making

its

peaceful conquefts
to

itfelf all

all,and

varying its means the people.

If

and genius to the climate according it put on At the Conftantinople, has been too eculiar form called Byzantine art, which The artifts of Byzanmch or depreciated. praifecl the fad influence of the underwent um necefTarily Empire, and ended, like the orruptionof the Lower Greeks of the decline,by making works rich more than beautiful. It is their glory to have had martyrs. mutilated When the painters, fled by the iconoclafts, the West the types received with reverence into Italy, they brought in their bleeding hands ; and thofe and images, confecrated by perfecution placed upon often reproduced. There altars,were our naturally

was,

belides,in

thofe
we

hieratic

and

fevere

lines the

true

grandeur which
of Photius

may

ftill admire, fince fo

fchifm

retains

Byzantine art

immobility. The Eaft aftonifhing which it had the Weft by the proceffes preferred better,and which we were obligedto borrow from it. But at laft our emancipatedart corrected the heavy maffes of its architecture,lopped of? the profufionof its flight, that hindered and fucceeded, ornaments ticularly parand France, in producing new in Germany stand, are works, and the marvels we beginning to underbut are fo far from equalling. In the thirteenth century, Italian painting developed of Chriftian and this is the moil brilliant epifode itfelf, its rife to one of thofe That art. great epoch owes
incidents does
not

long a time in an again influenced

which

God

makes
men,

fruitful,but
whofe

the

world

perceive.Two

were birth-places

xxxvi

INTRODUCTION.

very One

far had

diftant,met,
come

one

day, in

church

of Rome. from love

Affifi.

In this

Spain, the other arrived meeting,fcience and providential

from

each other,and recognized

S. Dominic and S.

earth exulted
A

at

the kifs of

Francis. The

long generation of
and

artifts fprangfrom
cans,

it.

Dominicans
one

Francifand

like brothers
over

with but

fame difFufed of

fortune

aim,
and

travelled

the

world, and

enthufiafm their
on
as

genius.
and of

How

relift the

contact

eloquence
the moft umph triits
to

their form

voluntary poverty put

of

touching
;

love?

Dante

celebrated

their

and

the

great fchool
to

of Giotto

confecrated it feemed of S. Dominic

moft take

works perfect
as

S.

Francis,whom
the

its patron, whilft

children

themfelves
was never

produced marvels which Michael Angelo clothed in the weary of admiring. Whether
or

habit religious of the human fcience

two

not, the artift then felt the influence that

and quickened regenerated

great Orders
under love

nature

Innocent

III.

Thofe

waves

of

and

and thence river, In

all Europe like a majeftic overfpread the nations drew copiousinfpirations. of

Niccolo Italy, Giotto, Orcagna,

Pifa, Fra

Sifto,Fra
Beato

Riftoro,

Taddeo
many

Gaddi,
but

Angelico,
were

Perugino,and
age fame
1

fo

others, whatever
one

their

and

country, formed

familyunited by
altars.1
of

the

and prayingat faith,

ftatutes

the fame
Painters
to

The

of

the

Corporation of
we are

Sienna, in 1335, begin thus

to

"
"

By

the grace

of God,

called

make

known
and

rude

men

who
of

cannot

read, the
Our

miraculous

thingswrought by adoring and

the virtue

in virtue Eternal bounds

holy
a as

faith. of
are

faith confifts

in principally

one believing

God,
;

God
we
or

infinite power,

immenfe

wifdom, love and clemency without

little it may

perfuaded
without love.

that

nothing, however things,that

is
to

be,
power,

can

have

beginning
and

end

three

fay,without
p.

knowledge

with will,

vol. xi, (Cantu, Hijloirc UniverfcUc,

593.)

xxxvin

INTRODUCTION.

of

remarking the beauty

difference be

between

them.

How,

in

fact, can

when appreciated,

tafte has

been

of the fenfes ? in the difturbance corrupted was Pagan art, in the full funfhine of the gofpel, to renew never again its ancient glory. The paffions, and found adorers however, let up their ftatues again, did the of courts. There in the corruption for them The of laws. its formula code Renaiffance prefcribe the and publifhed by the erudition of the Medici money of the

Florentine

bankers
art

rule has

us

frill. Since this

the lixteenth century, Chriftian

undergone

efforts they mull make painful unjuftoppreffion ; and reftore its fplendour. would who of art for art and of realifm coarfe doctrines The have itfelf had teem to prevailed.Pagan antiquity the alliance of natural and recognizedas neceffary moral beauty;1 but now-a-dayspublicfavour applauds their and recompenfesthe proftitution of feparation, talent. Is it good or evil that art exhibits ? Is it vice theatres and books ? virtue that fpeaks in our A or literature is fet off like
at
a

fenfual
to

and courtefan,

comes

feat herfelf

the domeftic

hearth with her

romances

fhe brings in fculpture There and ny-ffieets. infult our mothers' which, by their nudities, painting, lifters'modefty. A venal and lying criticifm and our afterwards weaves art garlands which this corrupting and receives lenfe is in academies and

mufeums

and

the

moral

perverted by thefe fatal triumphs. The Church, however, always preferves intact the treafures of Chriftian art ; me in their fulnels poffeffes the and the Good, and to all True, the Beautiful
1

Vir bonus, dicendi

peritus.

INTR

O D UC

TIO

N.

xxxix

offers her wearied

holytraditions
the

andfublime

afpirations. Many,
art, have
turned re-

with towards

debaucheries

of pagan found purer

her,and have
in the

thoughtsand
monuments.

tweeter

enjoyments
have

They
moral

understood

ftudy of her that religion is

the

rule

of

and that without moral beauty, beauty natural in fhame. beauty is corrupted in vice,and difappears is only a frivolous paftime Without art and religion, social danger. Religion alone reftore to it its can million. and fublime original dignity With the defire of working for this freih union of have written thefe pages. and We religion art, we have chofen artifl whofe in the pafl an example is a Angelico lived at the beginning great leffon. Beato of the fifteenth century, which the middle feparates A faithful difciple of the ages from the Renaiffance.
*

tradition and
not

laft fcion of the

fchool

of

Giotto, he has
the
a

in talent by any of furpaffed He was preparedthe reignof Leo X. been and

a

artifts who

great

painter
works

great faint

and

thus

in

his

life and

reproduced the
Chriftian This
art.

divine

the likenefs,

eternal

of objecl:

model much

of

artifts

we

offer

to

the

public.
ftill but former
new

Although
works,
fa els
;

Beato praifed, We have

we

Angelico is
ourfelves
to

little known. and the

availed added the

of

hope
chief,we

have

them

fome

think,is

of feparation

Beato

from Angelico's paintings

thofe

of Fra

Benedetto, his

Inftaurare
et
nos

omnia

in Chrifto, quae in coelis, et quae

in terra

funt in

ipfo;

in quo

etiam

forte vocati fecundum

fumus,
confilium

fecundum praedeftinati voluntatis

propofitum ejus qui

in laudem

operatur omnia

fuae,ut fimus

glorise

ejus. (Ephes,i, 10.)

xl

INTRODUCTION.

brother,

the We with find

inferiority
have his alfo

of ftudied

which Beato and this ?

has

dimmed

his in his

glory.
relations utmoft Have be let if the them

Angelico
have done

contemporaries,
leffons been If in

our

to

ufeful efforts

ftudy.
Our into readers fome muft

our

fortunate have them fallen

judges.
reprove
have God

we

miftakes,
and
;

us

for fome

as

foon let

as

poffible
aid

we

fpoken
for

truths,

them with

us

in

thanking

having

infpired

us

them.

Feaji

of

the

Purification, February
z?id,

1857.

LIFE

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO

DA

FIESOLE.

Chapter

T.

PAINTING

IN

HALT

BEFORE

BEATO

ANGELICO.

OUNTRY of
us a a

and man's in

age

are

the Birth

nrft

ments ele-

life. and
are

affigns
and
to

point

fpace
we

time,

their

influence In fun
are

neceffarily
there truth

fubis but
to

jected. only
their the motion
one

our

heavens,
and
one

rays
on

varied world

according by
the hand and
events

impreffed
country
era,
us

the its

of tility fer-

God.
;

Every
every make

has

horizons,

light,
and

its

civilization,
we

belief,
Our the earth

and

they

what fenfes

are.

body
which

derives

development
ports
and

of
our

the

from

fupit,
is

it

foul them

is nourifhed

by
its
none

ideas power. command

furrounding
No it. and when
one

from from

compounds
his
are

ifolated
men

age,

and

Great

themfelves

fubjecl:

to

this

law

they

PAINTING

IN

ITALY

feem

to

be

they are leadingtheir contemporaries,

only

them. preceding wifh to It is important, then, when we and the life of a man, to ftudy his generis, he has received
more

understand learn what The

two

from

his age the

and

country.

artift,
cir-

than

any

other,is
alone

creature

of thefe

of his infpithe nature explain will begin the life of Beato rations. So we Angelico of Fiefole, at what period of hiftoryGod by telling to Italy. painter gave His well-beloved had to be born and Art, like man, again of water of blood. the fources Baptifm and martyrdom were of his new being. Chrift had reconquered the beauty when fall ; and the Tree of the loft by the original the breath Crofs had its fruit, of the Holy borne Ghoft feed of unity where Roman caft the divine

cumftances, which

power of the with His

had

fixed
art

the
was

centre

of the world. in the catacombs

was

The

germ all

Chriftian

buried

with

of civilization, and principles the work. folemn Man flownefs hurries with

there God the

developed
fets about fhortnefs ages the

which

his, urged by
what He

of his life ; but

as

God,

rich in His clothes

lavifhes eternity, does with

and pleafes, majefty of time. Archaeologymows which lafted until the

He

us

this

underground germination,

reign of Conftantine. Artifts are born in the damp galleries which fhelter the Chriftian there receive and myfteries, holy initiation by the of the torches. chanting of the Pfalms and the light Moral beauty appears to them in all its brightnefs, on
the faces of their brethren bodies fent
to at

prayer, and

on

the bleeding hands

them

by martyrdom.

Their

BEFORE

BEATO

ANGELICO.

3 the

trace

touching words
mortar

and

figureson fymbolical
catacombs enriched

ftone and Soon

are

which

feal the tombs. with

the vaults of the

and death, againft fculptures.Life protefts paintings and the hiftory of the paftreaffures the faithful againft in the ark tells them the trials of the prefent. Noe his dunghill Job await the dove of fafety to on ; repeats his hopes ; the children in the furnace ling

their amidft

fong

of

thankfgiving ;
;

Daniel

prays the

peacefully
waves

the lions

Jonas

delivered

from

of

of Providence under the fhadow repofes ; Jefus, the Good Shepherd, brings back the ftrayedfheep, and raifes His friend Lazarus heals the paralytic, again, the fea
to

remind
nature

His

own

that He
to

All

is obedient

in love. is rich in power as this new Orpheus. The feafons

and

earth, flowers, animals, the

of

the

year

are

reprefentedin figuresof the

offer Him the

the
orantes

catacombs,

everywhere the
to

raife their the

hands

God

and

regeneratedworld. than thefe paintings, which fpeak What more affecting Chriftians of naught but happinefs and victories to where the tombs their perfecutors have buried amidft
them The \l of paintings forms the catacombs
art
;

firft-fruits of

the preferved

ward out-

of ancient

and

gathered Chriftianity
Raoul

We

cannot

admit poffibly The learned

the

fyftem of
V Art

M.

Rochette,
Gnoftic

on

the

originof

Chriftian
were

types.

Academician

thinks du

that

reprefentations
art

their

first models.
the

(Dijcoursfur
of that
the faithful drew

Chrijlianifme.) Chriftian
ideal of
were

never

underwent

influence

impure feci:. The

Chrift the

was

in

the of

Gofpel,and
the Gnoftic
to
an

thence
monuments

their infpirations. Even

no

priority
them

proved,
Raoul

conclufion Rochette.

could Do6lrine
a

be

drawn

from
true

favourable types ; and

the

fyftem of M.

is the

origin of

art never

feeks its point of departure in

doftrine

it detefts.
B 2

PAINTING

IN

ITALY

them heaven

like
cover

withered the

leaves

wherewith

the

winds

of

ground, in order to winter the feeds to be developed in the univerfal myftery of life by death was Painting in plifhed for Chriftian art.

protect from fpring. The flowlyaccomderwent unparticular had been a pollutedin long preparation ; it of idolatry, and God, before the debaucheries giving blood of the it in the it back its power, purified
martyrs
radiant and
at

the

fire of became

iconoclafts.
one

It ifTued

forth the the teenth thir-

laft,and
After the Roman
to

of the

of glories beneath in the the

Church.
arches of

it had

been

confecrated

it went, bafilicas, take had of pofTeffion deftined

century,
land In which the

privileged

Providence
centre

for it. the from Mediterranean the northern

tains moun-

of

Italy,along
fheltered of the

extend, fhores,vaft plains

winds

by
out

the chain into luxuriant and

pour

them

Apennines. Thefe ftreams, fertilizing

their courfe. foil invite the

which The
to

bring
mineral

vegetationin
of fertility

wealth

man

labour, and

the clearnefs of the the

fky promifeshim
Thither
a

long

days
from

to

gather in

the

Etrufcans gave
to

colony Eaft went The to fix their travelling-tents.1 a were : they people of incredible activity infant Rome its civilization, and induftry,
divided the

fruits of it.

The

learned

are

on

origin of
others here
(how

the Etrufcans.
it
come more

Some

explain it by
the the

Helleniftic cradle of the

will the

emigrations into Italy ;

human
race.

make

from directly

We

cannot

difcufs the
us an art

of particulars

cafe, but
that of

only

fay that

Etrufcan

monuments

quite diftinct from

its
commerce

Greeks.
with

Etruria Southern

felt certainly

Grecian

influence
have

through
an

and

contact

Italy ;

but

its artiftic forms the

indifputable originality.
its tombs.

Afiatic infpiration is evident,

Manuel

in efpecially

and ftyle

of figures

(See

d' Archeologie of Muller,

" 169.)

PAINTING

IN

ITALY

The
work.

altar

has

always

been

people's firft
built
to

artiftic

Architecture

afterwards

temples, which
;

and fculpture thefe facred

paintingcame
monuments
man

decorate

and
on,

from the

borrowed, later

luxury of his dwellings. Religious dogma is the in art ; it gives formulas to belief, authority regulates without fymbols,and creates the unity of intelligences
which the artift could under
not

make

himfelf

underftood. of religious

If it remain

the

exclufive

direction

of
not

does not bring it the activity dogma, and liberty of writing, is left in the condition and is art life,

fave in the narrow circle of material developed, It is with difficulty proceffes. Such is Egyptian art. if the eye can ments flightdifferences in monudiftinguifh by fo many ages. Its ftatues remain feparated bound under in their defpoticrules, like mummies be overcome, bandages; and this immobility cannot either by the genius of the Greeks under the succeffors of Alexander, or the under by Roman power rule of Adrian. This Eaft.

fervitude of

art

is almoft

univerfal

throughout the fuffer liberty to

The
it
man

void of truth cannot Religions victing approach them ; for liberty, by conthem of error, slaughters them. fecond periodof art is the learned period. In but his intellect ftudies not only accepts belief, work
not

and and of

is is his

at

upon

it.

His

will is enamoured

of

it,
in

fatisfied with fo he

thoughts ;

Ample forms goes freelyforth

which he
can

unreflective
to

feek

nature

all the beauties

with

clothe

them.

He from

from requires

lines their

and pliancy richnefs and refts

;

and colour, its variety harmonies

;

proportions ; from its light,

until he has

gradationsand

not

BEFORE

BEATO

ANGEL1C0.

rendered

his work This

worthy
balance

of the

truth natural

enlightening
and moral

Kis
eauty is the

foul.

between

of art. But maintains man perfection imfelf with difficulty this elevation. The natural at exercifes a powerful feduceauty he has difcovered tion over into the him, and draws him rapidly away third or naturaliftic period of art. The hieratic or religious is forgotten, element and lofes its greatnefsand art deavours endignity. Every one imitate the beauties of nature, according to his own to the merit of a work is meaand caprice, fured only by the pleafure the fenfes experience in it. Tafte is vitiated by its minute talent is enfeebled diverlities, foon nothing can and by ifolation, ftop the of decay. progrefs Thefe three periods diftindl in Greek The art. are hieratic period precedes Pericles, the learned is perfonified in Phidias,and the naturaliftic period begins with Alexander's conquefts,and fatisfies all the vices of the Casfars. In The with
and
art Italy,

has

pafTed through
the mofaics is of

the

fame

periods.
and

firft begins with

Rome,
dates

ends

Orcagna
crowned

the fecond

inauguratedby Ghiberti,
third this from the

by Raphael ;
continues
we

the
to

RenaifTance,and
whofe between the Let the life the

day. The painter are writing was providentially placed hieratic and learned fo as to be periods,
of the
one

fummary
us

and

model

of before

the
we

other.

fee what

his

predeceffors were,

ftudy

examples which his succeffors received from him. The remains in obfcurity. originof paintingin Italy The cities of Tufcany contend for the honour of its

PAINTING

IN

ITALY

cradle, as
But
names

thofe

of

their titles of

formerly for Homer. artiftic nobility prove nothing. The

Greece did oblivion the have
no

efcaped
other
;

from

relation with
cannot

each the

and

in them

hiftorian

catch

unity which is the.life of art in the great epochs. To begin with the fixteenth century, fome local fchools becaufe herds of imitators were could be eftablifhed,
folded in fome certain there territory,
manner

to

continue But

the in
a

and defign,colouring,

of

mafter. formed

the

middle

ages, artifts of all countries

but

finglecommunity of brethren, marching togetherin of frontiers and battles ; purfuingthrough polifpite tical their peacefulconquefts; fetting revolutions up their victorious tents at Sienna, Pifa,Florence, and
S. Francis of Aflifi's; and their
;

leaving mafterpieces where, everyadmired

more

which Ideas than unite

all
our
men

fuccefTors

and

imitated.

faith will do

for focial union

railways ; and
the fabre

defpotifm of
in the One ftandard

the or againftbarbarism there is again no fave fafety

of the crufades.
errors

deftroy, is that which afcribes Italian painting to Byzantine art. Every work before Cimabue (1240- 1300) paffes for a fervile imitation of the matters of Conftantinople; and Giotto is proclaimed the creator and of a new trulynational art. Defpite the great authorities fupporting them, we cannot accept fuch afTertions ; for facts too contradict them. In the firft half formally of the thirteenth century, a fchool of unqueftionable exifted in Italy.The it has left us originality paintings which indicate life and announce prefent genuine lines, of the fame epoch progrefs ; whilft the Greek paintings
to

of the hiftorical

mod

difficult

BEFORE

BEATO

ANGELICO.

offer

nothing
works

but Giunta

I'he
kiccio of
ins,

of

fymptoms of complete decline. of Sienna, and of Pifa, Guido

thofe of the ancient movements, the Etrufof the

Boninfegna,recall
energy

by

the

limplicity

of the figures, drapery,and the arrangement the mailers of thofe who 'he artifts juft named were the succeeding centuries. onoured do not Still, we f the

deny
but

the influence

exercifed

it,we explaining lingularjudgments and unjuft contempt, of which that art is the object. to Byzantine art, yet fo little known us, received and Chriftian unci ion at Rome, confequentlyhad, from the very beginning,the fame fymbol and hieratic element as Weftern art ; and the archaeologist, to explain old cathedrals, the iconographyof our profitably may confult the paintersof Mount live like Athos, who phantoms in the routine of ages. They who defpife it only by its works of Byzantine art probably know the decline,hawked about by trade, and multiplied by bad copyifts.Deeper ftudies will,one day, ihow of the glorious that it was one phafesof Chriftian art, and that it alone imparted fome grandeur to the fall of the empire. taken on People are particularly up with a difpute the beauty of Chrift,and imagine that the partizans
of the
was
a came unheautiful

before

by Byzantineart on Italy; muff proteftagainftthe

out

victorious.

This

difcuflion

of artifts. The and not quarrelof rhetoricians, mind upheld contradictory fubtlety of the Greek of Scripture certain texts it will never thefes on ; but be

proved that
of

the conclusion

was

hoftile

to

the

rules of the

of tafte and

good

fenfe. The

Fathers greateft

IO

POINTING

IN

ITALY

Eaftern moll

Church

proclaimedthe
of the children
and

Saviour
men

to

be

the

beautiful

of it
was

believed them, fculptors if they did not inability works. Their with whofe wifhed would

and painters to owing folely

;

realize the Chrift

are

doctrine

in their

figures of
thofe
was

formed conperfectly

of
not

the

Virgin,angels
and

and

faints,

beauty
to

have On

they had introduce a fyftematicdeformity, nothing it fufficed to break been as ealier, fymthe

queftioned;

if

metry.
fcenes

contrary, their types have

muft

perfect

regularity.We
of the

ful judge them, not in the mournPaffion,wherein the artifts have often

and expiation, but in fought to exprefsonly fufFering the glory of triumph, in thofe Chrifts feated upon where thrones, on the arches of the bafilicas, beauty with clearnefs which is fhown a difpels prejudices And to them, again,may be againftByzantine art. oppofed the numerous ivorycarvingsof Chrift blefsThe in the Mufeum of one ing the emperors.
at Antiquities

Paris

bears

the

names

and

of portraits

Romanus

1072),and in delicacy of model, pliancy periods of hiftory ; but of drapery,and all the dignity of form, it furpafTes
works of
art

Diogenes and Eudoxia, his wife (1068confequentlydates from one of the faddeft

then

executed is

Byzantine art
and richnefs of

Europe. of ftyle by a dignity diflinguifhed

recall the poetry and Its misfortune
a

in

of accefTories which Oriental the countries. miafma of

luxury
have The
to

is, to
hurtful

inhaled

corrupt
were

civilization.
more

of prodigalities it than the their

the emperors

before

it had to fly and, when perfecutions, followers of Mahomet, it arrived in Italy,

BEFORE

BEATO

ANGELICO.

like and and

traveller who
to

has

paffedover
land

diftant fome
rare

countries,

brings back
the

his native his

objects
of his

recitals of

mifhaps, as

the whole

fortune. The caufes. influence The

war

of

Byzantine art
iconoclafts from the the

on

Italyhad
made thofe of

two

of the

holy They
them. which
were

which

efcaped
relics

the

placed as
Afterwards

on

fury and altars,

the

pictures herefy.
ration vene-

the

of the

faithful

urged
national

frequentimitation
with

of

people

underwent

feduction the

triumphs over
of the
were

pride. Along
veffels

treafures who

Earl, Venetian
entrufted of

to others,becaufe preferred to

brought artifts, from they came

of the

and afar,

them

were

the direction

fchools The

and moft

the decoration celebrated

monuments.

pupil of the old mafters was his name is made Cimabue. On reft to principally that affiliation of Italian painting which cannot we have We admit. whofe already cited older artifts, the Byzantine ; and, if is perfectly diftincl: from ftyle we ftudy the works of Cimabue, we fhall fee that he fo to fpeak,an poraries. exceptionamongft his contemwas,
Towards Florentine teach the the middle of had the thirteenth Greek

century, the
artifts them
to

Republic
fine
arts ;

brought
Maria

and, whilft watching

Santa

ing paintbeen

in the had

church

of

Novella, Cimabue

the revelation

of his

there opened in the convent the boy ufed to go and take leflbns of his uncle,who His road was taught grammar. always through the him work made church, and the painter's frequently

genius. A fchool had of Friar-Preachers, and

12

PAINTING

IN

ITALY

his books. and forgetthe profeffor with filled more were deflgnsthan his parents him far
to

His with
a

copy-books and writing,

The

giving up making
mailers. in them and the He

him

entrufted fcholar,

the artifts of Santa

Maria

Novella. underftood

pupil
ditions, tra-

his furpaffed and

their

difcerned ages

the

laft recollections had

not

of

Phidias, which
Cimabue's merit

barbarifm

effaced.

dignityof his figuresand the majefty of his compoiitions. His fuperiority over be difputed, when artifts will not the Greek we pare comof attributed him in the church the paintings to there at the AfTifi with the Byzantine ones executed fame certainly belong to period. All thofe paintings
is in the from fame the fchool
;

but

in

his, Cimabue
and

freed

himfelf

mechanical
movement

detail

and expreffion the Greek back of

which makes
to
an

exaggerationof the work of disfigure

admirable effort
to

the

artifts. all the

ornaments

He

bring
fuiion

details and
"

unity,and
of

all the

pro-

to draperies

will cite the

the efpecially fo

Benediction

beauty. We in which Ifaac,"

enthroned his majeftically upon Burial of Chrift," the fcholarly bed ; and the arrangement of which of ancient tragedy. recalls the folemnity The of Giotto has done much harm to reputation the glory of Cimabue. Some believe that there is the mafter ; the pupil and a great diftance between of a regular onlyby the progrefs yet they are feparated development. Giotto's merit is to have returned into the national Greek influence had path, from which
"

is patriarch

caufed the

Cimabue

to

deviate.
movement

He

was

the

centre

of all

great artiftic
of the

fourteenth

the beginning flgnalizes Hiftory follows century.

which

14

POINTING

IN

ITALY

fame

date, the

two

brothers, Ambrogio
works their
to

and

Pietro

Lorenzetti,produced
Without

of

remarkable

originality.
Sienna and in the life

fpeaking of Florence, it is enough Campo Santo, in which

of the Fathers

at paintings

examine

the

frefcoes

they have
fo

the reprefented

of the Defert. and

All the poetry of thefe pure, is there

fo genuine recitals,
a

given

with

feel We dignity until then unknown. and life in thofe paftoral that art is drawing new fcenes, that there is a decided progrefs in thofe figuresof hermits praying amidft the fhade, or at work on the grace and banks The of their brooks. moft illuftrious rival of Giotto younger fuccefs than is
was

is Simon The

Memmi,
difference ferent their difGiotto form fweet the
;

only eight years

of their talent

him.

and

explainedby
the The former model the
;

fympathies. Dante
Petrarch Beatrice of Laura of Simon
to

friend

of

Memmi. the infpire often

as

ftern the of

of face

feerris ferved his

the

latter.

Giotto of

made

in mafterpiece Memmi Maria

Francifcan

church

Aflin; Simon
of Santa
more

paintedhis
Novella.

in the Dominican
one

church
the
we

The

is greater,

other
can

more.

graceful being unjuft, ; and, without love Memmi moft, whiHt admiring Giotto It muft not be fuppofed, however, that Simon
lacked elevation. On the coes contrary, his fref-

Memmi

Campo Santo of Pifa,and in the chapel of the Spaniards at Florence, prefentgreat character in ftyle and remarkable dignity in compofition. The is efpecially legend of S. Ranier diftinguifhedfor fcientific groupings, varietyof heads, elegance of and richnefs of expreflion. Thefe draperies frefcoes,

in the

BEFORE

BEJTO

ANGEL1C0.

*5

were mbtleis,

the moll died the

at

ftudied

matters. by fucceeding in 1344.

Simon

Memmi

Avignon

Gaddi was pupilsof Giotto, Tadeo the moft the moft illufcherifhed by his matter, and fcience trious. art acquires more By his pencil, has taken and energeticcountryman nobility. The the fenaand now the ufages of high fociety, wears has not torial toga ; but fortune corrupted him, and his fine drapery always covers a poetic and honeft Life of our heart. The Lady," paintedby Gaddi, in Santa Croce, at Florence, may give a complete idea of the dignityof his talent,by the grace of the figures, the attire, and the fkill of the compofition. The little Paris is not at gradino in the Mufeum unworthy of his reputation.Some parts of it give prefage to the epoch of Mafaccio. the progrefs Tadeo Gaddi of the fchool perfonifies of Giotto. He left its traditions efpecially to Giottino Giottino and Orcagna. appears to us with the fweet aureola wherewith talent furprifed in crowns pofterity He was not youth and poverty by death. thirty years he old when being carried off by the difappeared, profound fadnefs which the knowledge of an inaccefoften caufes in genius. His titles to fible perfection the glory are the frefcoes in Santa Croce, reprefenting hiftoryof S. Silvefter and Conftantine; but one ture pic-

Amongft

"

recommends is that

him

alfo

to

our

admiration, and

it

charming compofitionin the church of Affifi he has given proof of moft in which lenliexquifite a bility. S. Nicholas is miraculoufly reftoring young
to captive
can

her

familywho
pure and

had

invoked than

him.
the

Nothing
fcene in

be

more

touching

PAINTING

IN

IT ALT

by the pious joy of the parents is fhown We love and moft varied attitudes. trueft expreflions the table, which under the little houfe-dog conies even to recognizeand fawn upon its miftrefs. Andrea Orcagna nobly clofes the firft periodof art he tranfin Italy. Painter, architect,and fculptor,
which the ferred he
was

into the

his works

the

poetry
"

of

Dante,

of whom

admirer. His "Triumph of paffionate the fineft Laft worth and Death are Judgment Comedy : there is the fame energy pages of the Divine of thought and dignity of ftyle. Orcagna has been often compared with Michael pare Angelo ; but if we comof the Siftine Chapel with thofe of the paintings the Campo mall fee that the latter are Santo, we fublime, and the former gigantic. Michael Angelo is extraordinary, whilfl Orcagna is religious. Their fummed Chrifts proare compofitions up in the two nouncing is an executioner The one judgment. finking with a thunderbolt, the other a King, who
"

"

condemns fide
to

whilfl his jufiiify

he

mows

the

facred

wound

of

his

fentence.
to
"

attributed fculptures femble his paintings. The of Temple" and "Burial

The

Orcagna
Prefentation B. mind

reclofely

in

the San

the
to

Virgin," in
the fevere

Michele,
and his
"

at

Florence, call

ftyle
in

fo particularly admired energetic expreffion Triumph of Death." who

of art too often hiftory and neglect to obferve the influences fculpture ing paintexercife upon each other. Sculpture is the firftborn lifter of painting, becaufe fhe offers the fimpleft and moft natural means of imitatingexternal forms.

Thole

have

ftudied

the

BEFORE

BEJTO

ANGELICO.

17 the of reality

material
tern, whilft

fhe

models

reproduces
fimulates it colours.
to

paintingonly
and
more

by lines,foreand and

ortenings,fhades
has
,

Painting,confethefe

difficulties
more

overcome,

Lculties 'he

require

lcience,time

refearch.

of fculpturein antiquity is indifputable priority ; middle ages, it is lefs

art

the low

evident, becaufe

in the

Chriftian preparation
an

and underwent, fculpture

;

took "ainting

almofh

courfe parallel
are

but

in

the
to

thirteenth the Greek the

century, the dates

pofitive.Neither
or

artifts, nor

to

Cimabue,
be

to

Giotto, mull
to

real Italian

renailTance

attributed,but
Pifa.

the

fchool

of

that appeared at fculpture the fetters of

and

It freed

paintingfrom
freedom it of
to

routine,and
of activity

of

movement

imparted to it life, by teaching

of model, pliancy ftudy truth of form, delicacy of lines.1 drapery and happy combination of Pifa

Niccolo received
at

preceded
the of

Cimabue.

leflbns
on

from

Greek the

work

the

cathedral

They fay he fculptorswho were he only city ; but

His
;

learned
were

the

procelYesfrom
evidence
to

them.

real and

mafters
we

the ancient

bas-reliefs he ftudied
to

if

had be

no

contemporary
for the
us

prove

it, it

would

enough
in which

cite the of

imitation

of San Giovanni, fculptures heathen is flagrant. fubjecls

In
on

his
art

life of
in

Niccolo "At

of

Pifa, Vafari

proves

the

happy
"

influence
many

of

ture fculp-

Italy.

this

epoch

(1240)," fays he,

to

artifts, moved greater zeal

who

by
than

praifeworthy emulation, applied themfelves they

at

fculpture with
and broke
out

had the and

hitherto

done.
were

At

Milan,

all the

Lombards the
war

Germans between

worked

cathedral,and
the

difperfedwhen

the
fome and

Milanefe

Emperor
fame
their

and Frederic, ftrove together,

began
as

to

produce
as

good refults. The

Arnolfo
exhibited

was progrefs

remarked

at

Florence,

foon

Niccolo

firft works."

PAINTING

IN

ITALY

We

find

there

again,amongft others, the

and the group of the bearded The

copy

of

modeft

Venus,

Bacchus

Icarus.1 viiiting

of his bas-reliefs alfo compofition recalls that of the ancient farcophagi, by the arrangement of their perfonages. Still it and great number of Pifa was artift be fuppofedthat Niccolo muft not an his works, the Chriftian thought without originality ; in The the tomb of rules the imitation. on fculptures S. Dominic, at fubjecls of Bologna, prefent new his mafterpiece, in our remarkable composition ; but opinion,is the pulpitof the cathedral of Sienna, in the figures adorning it demonftrate fchool which a fchools. fuperiorto any preceding or contemporary The fimultaneous fludy of the antique and of nature opens The
a new

career

to

art.

progrefsof
of with

Italian

vifible in Andrea

fculptureis particularly Pifa, the pupil of Niccolo, and

Andrea French of who Pifa, prodiflinpoiition com-

contemporary
'

Giotto. with

bably came

in contact the

is artifts, of fimplicity

guifhed by
gates made
of the continued

purityof

lines and

which

architectural

bas-relief demands. Florence remind

His
us

for the works

Baptiftryof
of the
of Pifa

Greek
what him

great

Andrea

epoch. Ghiberti had begun, but he

only in the richnefs of details and and injuredfculpture ing eleganceof proportions, by leadinto the domain it aftray of painting. imparled
The
name

of

Ghiberti We

is

date

in the

of hiftory

Italian

painting.

have
A

of the learned

period.

quoted him as the head pupil of the Pifans and an

Scultura,

Cicognara,Sluria

della

(Pl.xv.)

BEFORE

BEATO

JNGELICO.

19 he

inheritor

of their

inaugurated his had Republic of Florence competition,promiflng an

noble
della

for ancient paffion monuments, talent by a fignal triumph. invited all artifts to
a

The great
and

impartialjudgment

rewards.

Ghiberti's Niccolo

competitorswere
Simone da

Jacobo

Quercia,
di

d'Arezzo,

Colle,

Francefco

Valdambrina,
had
not
once

and Filippo Brunellefchi,

Donatello, who
year. The Brunellefchi laft the
two

yet reached
fet the works above the

his

judges at
and
not

eighteenth of Ghiberti,
But the had

Donatello wait

mark.

did of

for the the

final

and decifion,

glory
was

crowning
at

conqueror years
on

themfelves. the

Ghiberti of the

work

for

twenty

gates
His

Baptiltryof Florence, which thought worthy to be the gates

influence fchool
over

Michael of heaven.

Angelo
and

his

formed
names

the
a

two

immenfe; was contemporaries is fummed around him, which of MafTblino and Mafaccio, led

the in into
we

up
art

dire 61 ion, the

to

fhall have Art had

advantages and ftudy.

arrived
at

dangers
fulnefs

of which

now

the

of

which life,

and nations, the conflict brings on, both for man had between good and evil. Until then, the Church had and taught it to praifeGod guided its infancy, in the Its only bufinefs, and give thanks to Him. the beautiful of Buffalmaco, was words to reprefent in order to make in Paradife, and women men faintly
men

better.1

But

when

the

hour

of

manhood

came,

natural

itfelf with beauty prefented

attendiamo
a

all its

feduclions,
muia o

Non

mai
con

ad

altro,che

far fanti

fante

per

le

et

per

le

tavole,ed

far

percio

difpettode' demoni

gli uomini

divoti piu.

migliori.

(Vasari,

Vita

di Buonamico

Buffalmaco.)

20

PAINTING

IN

ITAL7.

and God

it

was

necefiary
matter

to

choofe each like Beato their

between

vice

and

virtue. formed

and

had

partizans,
two

who of

two

camps

oppofed,
fpeaks.
with Their led therm

the

cities

which

S.

Auguftine
born,

Angelico
at

was

tially providenof the

Ghiberti,

the

beginning

ftruggle.
and God death

birth-places
the fame

were

nigh
into the

each

other,
of

year,

prefence

(H55)-

22

BIRTH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

the

have eafe,and, befldes what he pofTefTed, greateft fo well even earned all he defired by the arts he knew in his boyhood, yet being naturallyfleady and good, he refolved
to

become his
own

of religious fatisfaction
*

the Order and

of Friar-

Preachers,for
to

and prinquiet, cipally

fave his foul." Beato

Angelico did not offer to feared by want. withered or by laffitude, to prefentfreelyat the altar,youth all
Thus the

God He

heart
came

adorned

with

When promifesof renown. in the paths of the world and we often turn fuffered its trials, to we our pailyears and much fee how happier they would have been had we God the truth know to to entirely given them ; but before thefe tardylefTons of experience, and to perceive it with a prophetic glance athwart the illufions of needs a youth and its expected crowns, fupernatural from favour on even light and fpecial high. And when thus the do know we realityof things,we of a holy ambition, frequentlyflifle the afpirations heart is weak becaufe the recollections of our againfr, childhood mother's the goodand our To tears. our nefs of God to us a we calling higher life, oppofe the has bellowed He us. very gifts upon We what do not know Beato Angelico gave up to gain the precious pearl of the Gofpel ; but with a foul loving and amiable have like his, he mufl nounced re-

joys of fortune have long walked

and

the
1

charm
arebbe

of

many

an

afFe6lion,and
flare al fecolo, ed

doubtokre

Coftui
aveva,

febbene

potutocomodiffimamente
che

quello

che

guadagnarficio
far

aveffe

voluto
per

con

quell' arti
fodisfazione
fua

che
e

ancor

giovinetto
di

beniffimo
natura

fapeva, voile
e

nondimeno per

fua

quiete, eflendo
farfi

pofato
ordine

buono,

falvaie

l'anima

principalmente,
da

religiofo

delP

de' frati Predicatori.

fFita di Fra

Giovanni

Fiefole.J

ORDER

OF

S.

DOM

T NIC.

23 willed his elder

lefs

to

affuage his regrets, Providence

to

brother The Order

follow

him

to

the altar.1

family Beato fpiritual

of

Angelico chofe, was

aim of this Order known

the is the and

S. Dominic. is
to

The

that apoftolate, manifefted form founder of

truth fay, and

as

by

fcience

by love : truth, all who

beauty
the

is the

natural

follow

ftar of

the

holy

are

the Divine Art

and

lince they fpread abroad eminently artifts, truth,the only object of art. many
means

has

of action. and and

Speech

is the

firft,

the the

moft

efficacious of
man

direct.

Truth
his

fprings
full lips, and im-

from of

heart

from efcapes

life and

heat.

It

communicates

itfelf to

pofesitfelf on
orator

the intellect and his audience

affimilates where
and

the will. The fubjugates to himfelf, and leads word ing, is fleetart

them

he

will; but
be

his victorious
as

would

loll in time
to

in

fpace,if

had

no

other

refources

make the

only does writingfix

and All architecture the affirmations
are

Not conquefts firm. word, but painting,fculpture its eternalize its wonders.
tained, con-

multiplyand
and

fentiments lines and reach

the difcourfe

fet faft

by

colours,

and

man's rations. gene-

action

thus

perpetuated may

the remoteft

It

was

natural,then, that the Order

not

of

S. Dominic the them truth with of its

fhould known.

neglect any
To build

means

of
and

making
adorn

churches

paintingsand
1

was fculpture,

the

complement
in

We

cannot

follow
than his

the

opinion of P. Marchefe,
Beato mull the

thinking

that

Fra

Benedetto

was

younger
name

brother

Angelico.
have
convent

The

teftimony of Vafari is explicit.

Beato

The of

of

Fra

Benedetto had entered

followed

Angelico'son

the regifter

if he profeffion,

after him.

24

BIRTH

OF

BEATO

ANGELIC

O.

apoftolate. Thus learned European with were liftening

entrufted

from

the

beginning,whilft
of
to

the moft

univerfities admiration

Paris

the

Bologna eloquence of the

of the middle
to

and

Friar-Preachers, Florence, the Athens

ages, the

glory
of

of

its

monuments

the

talent of the Dominicans The has

a

of Santa

Maria

Novella. Order in

eftablishment very remarkable in the

S. Dominic's The
as

Italy
of

character.

Friar-Preachers ambafTadors

always
peace,

arrived
and

great

towns

together gave them churches and convents in token of their gratitude. The thirteenth of bloody on account century was In the ftruggle between the Guelphs and Ghibelines. a high point of view, this was a war between Chriftian and and of the liberty of the Church principles, pagan againftimperialdefpotifm; and Providence, for the welfare of modern nations, brought out the profound diftinction the fpiritual the between and temporal
enemies reconciled power. what
a

But

when

we

come

to

the

details of

the war,

of epifodes, what confufion of interefts, variety and what ! Venice, Milan, outburfts of private paflion become Sienna, Pifa, and Florence, efpecially, arenas the
names

where The

partieswreft bloody ofGuelph and Ghibeline

races.

victories
are

in

turns.

ing only the rallyrival lords

are

cry

of hoftile

Sometimes

the people are aiming at power, fometimes defending feudal ambition the immunities againft grantedto them Error, whofe only expedientagainft by the Church. truth is always violence,takes advantage of this univerfal turmoil
to

enlift its foldiers. theories

and

The appear

Manichean in every

herefy preaches the

focial revolution
;

which

rilingto religion,

confound

ORDER

OF

S.

DOMINIC.

1$ the

them,

is

once

more

honoured writes

with

martyr's palm.
Credo with

S. Pietro his blood. His

of

Verona

his victorious

death

was

not

the fent

only glory
his words
at

of

the

Friarthe
valuated deand

Preachers.
towns

S. Dominic of

to difciples

Tufcany, with
arrived

of
town

peace

love.

The

little band in fome

to

the

towards

evening,lodged
after
went

and hofpital,

in the

morning,
to man,

offering prayers
down
to

God

and

confolations

fulfil the objecl: to public fquare, of the journey. Not by fkilful arbitration did the Dominicans triumph, but by lpeaking of the love of Jefus crucified, of the peace He and gives to men the

good-will. The molt weeping,to thingswhich

their weapons
and fell,

of

exafperatedenemies
hatred had made each them other

liftened

they

took

forget ; by the
led them

hand,
into thanks

to

accompany

fome
to

who good religious, neighbouring church, to give the

fraternal

Heaven. Friar-Preachers 19,

under

Twelve about of
1 2

thus

arrived

at

Florence,
Giovanni
on

the fame

guidance
year, them

of Beato

Salerno. from

That

S.

Dominic,
in the

his

return

Sienna, found
where

of hofpital till
was

S. Maria The small

Maddalena,
church
as a

they
Maria

remained

1221.

of Santa

della

Vigna

then but it

given
could

them
not

recompenfe
S. Pietro

for their

fervices

hold When

thofe whom

their of

eloquence and
Verona
was

virtues fent

attracted.

by
had

Pope Innocent to preach in

and
as room

IV. the
was

to

combat air in
a

the

Manichees, he

open

neighbouring fquare;
the
as

fiill the

wanting,

Republic
many

of

Florence

ordered

demolition

of

houfes

16

BIRTH

OF

BEATO

ANGELIC

0.

truth as require, of the people.1 neceffity appearedto be the principal Dominican The colony foon made rapid progrefs. of The ufefulnefs a religious order always produces alms to to fupport and devotion multiply.
as

the

crowd

of

hearers

would

Thofe hatred

whom gave

the

Friar-Preachers up
to

had

fnatched the
on

from

themfelves

love, and
its

grateful
its

citylavifhed
The
to

its treafures year

and

youth
a

ficators paci-

1279

witneffed

feftival deftined

dates in Chriftian art. glorious P. Latino Malabranca, Cardinal legate of the Holy See, after he had appealedthe troubles of Bologna the Guelphs and Ghibelines of the reconciled and Florence folemn conclude to to a Romagna, went the people the parties. He convened peace between the ancient Novella, the on fquare of Santa Maria with fuits of tapeftry decorated whole of which was wherein with galleries and were ranged bifhops, lates, prethe captain and counauthorities, cillors religious, clergy, be
one

of the

moll:

of

Florence. occafion

The and
a

Cardinal of his

made

difcourfe Then

worthy
he gave

of the the

eloquence.

for fignal the

of reprefentatives numbered peace

was one

between the generalembrace Guelphs and Ghibelines, who and each fide, and on fifty the joyous acclamations

hundred

concluded

amidft

of all the citizens.2 In the

teftimony
new

of

this

great acl, the

Friar-Preachers of God
on

firft ftone
was

of

church Like

of the the

laid and

blefTed.

people

entering the
in P.

The

decree

of

the

Republic, dated

Dec.

12th, 1244,

is found

G.

Richa,

Notizie
2

delle Chiefe Florentine. Jloriche

Gio.

Villani,

Cronica, lib. vii,cap. 6.

ORDER

OF

S.

DOMINIC.

2J
wifhed
to

Promifed Pr
ones

Land,

the

Florentines memory
a

pile up

to

perpetuate the
ftones Maria became Novella The dei

of their

deliverance,

d thofe

mafterpiece. pureftray
of the artiftic Croce years

Santa

is the

lory of
d Santa

Florence. Maria
not

magnificenceof Santa which built fome were Fiori,

have later, could of of

not

weary This

Spofa.

it ;* and Michael Angelo, who eclipfed in admiring it, gave it the fweet name fair bride was prefentedto the genius Sifto and Fra have

Italy by
two

Fra

Riftoro,
wifhed of

two to

poor

Dominican thefe

religious.Some
architects with

alTbciate

the great fchool

Pifa,but

it is mofr,

under probable that they fhidied chiefly James of Germany, who built the church and convent of Affifi, and for the Republic executed great works This of Florence. connection would explain the relations of their
:

work

with find
art

the the and

wonders fame

of

French

architecture

in

it,we
fame with offers Not the

elegance and
a

poetry
of
over

it is the

under infpiration The erection be

different that

fky

and

other
a

materials.

church

in fllence. but

not to peculiarity the two only were

paffed
and
and
was

architects

Dominicans,
carpenters
confecrated
as

convent

furnifhed

mafons pure

well.

This amidft

temple, raifed by
recollection and

hands,
than any

prayer,

thus, more
Church and
to

other/ the fymbol of the fpiritual

faints
on

built be

by

the

the laft

plan

of

Chrift,
to
ever-

confecrated

by

the

judgment
and

lafting joy.
The
two

whofe religious,
foundations
of Santa

genius Rome
Maria dei Fiori in

Florence

Arnolfo Croce

laid the
in

1294,

and

thofe of

Santa

1298.

28

BIRTH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

had of
a

admired,

feem

to

have

fallen

in afleep

the

peace

holy obfcurity.In 1283, the beneath unknown an difappeared

;

allies of Fra flab in Santa

nuns
were

Riftoro Maria

Novella
convent

and of

fix years Sifto of

the later,
at

of the

folitary

San

Rome

the lifelefs remains had has become

not

Fra

who Sifto, fervant. in its

their humble

praying around in his latter days Hiftory,however,

But their
to

forgotten them
the

pages.1
of Fra Giovanni

is in higheft praife

of pofterity
names

artifts they left

The complete their work. Fra Mazzanti, Fra Borghefe, and Fra Jacobo Talenti,are monuments, of the

Mazzetto,
da

Fra

Campi,
fchool
at

identified with Dominican Maria

the fineft

prideof Italy. The

built
e

architecture, which
Maria

Santa
at

Novella Niccolo

Florence, SS. Giovanni

at

Paolo

Venice, San

and at Rome, fopra Minerva is diftinctively San Domenico characterized at Naples, full of noblenefs and by a fimplicity grandeur, and of the reignof S. Louis, the traditions of recalls the ftyle which it might eafily have received vents through the conof S. Jacques and of Touloufe. The fhare
to

Trevife,Santa

Order the

of

Friar-Preachers

alfo

furnifhed

its

which unfculpture, caufed the progrefs of painting in Italy. queftionably of the beft pupils of Niccolo One of Pifa was Fra his mafter wifhed afToto Guglielmo Agnelli,whom ciate in all his moft him tomb the of execution S. Dominic beautiful of
at

celebrated

fchool of

works.

He

entrufted
on

to

part of the

baf-reliefs and the

the

Bologna
Baldinucci,
Memorie

chronicle

Vasari,
della

VitadiGaddo

Gaddi.
P. V.

Vita dei

di

Arnolfo.

Cicognara,

Storia
e

fcultura.
Domenicaui,

Marchese,
2.

fcultort, pittori, piu iiifigni

architeth

lib. i, c.

30 influenced

BIRTH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

by

this

friendfhip ; but
of it muft
accrue

it feems
to

alfo that the

honour principal

Beato

Giovanni

Dominici,
This loved life,

founder

of the fuch

convent

of Fiefole. and of activity

convents

of religious, and
or

great energy

cultivated

he eftablifhed of it
"

painting. In reformed, he recommended

the

the

ftudy

of elevating the foul and powerfulmeans developingthe holy thoughts of the heart." There
as a are a

great number
of the He

of

his

letters of

addrefled

to

the
at

Dominicans Venice.

convent

Corpus
on

Domini method finim he

met

gives them executing miniatures,and

not

advice

the
to

of what

offers himfelf the and

moment

they could
he
man,

do.1

From

him,
young

muft

have

underftood
was

longed

for the

whofe

foul

fo

pure

and

talent fo

precocious.

Beato

his part, became on an Angelico, eafyconqueft, becaufe nothing has greater fympathy for ftrength than meeknefs. God makes the meek mafters of the

earth,and puts honeycombs

The
convent
on

into the mouth

of the lion.

where the

ftands
one

felf, himAngelico prefented of the mountain of Fiefole, declivity of thofe pen

a was

Beato

of the moft

beautiful fenfual found

furroundingFlorence.
later on purified by enchanting fpot for He took pleafure in and limpid waters, its But in the it
was

Boccacio, whofe
penance, has
not

more

tellinghis profane ftories.3 defcribingits verdure, fhades

peacefulvalleys and
thefe that moft All its Fiefole.

rich

horizons. the foul

not

charmed

convent

of the

like beauty,

that of the

fpoufein

Commentary

della

vita

del

B.

Giovanni

Bacchini, vol. in fol. MS.

Arch,

di

"

S.
8

Marco,

V.

"

xxx.

P. V.

Marchese,
io nov.

1. v, p. 181.

Decameron,

vi giourn,

ORDER

OF

S.

DOMINIC.

3 had there

Canticles,
blifhed
The of

was

from

within

reform

efta-

its rule. reform of

a

Divine His

grace.

order is a great miracle religious At is drawing inftant,God every germs !

means

from

power
from what world
one
a

new

of life ; but He created has ruin

event

how

few

He

brings

back

death heroic

the world
not

by

ord, but
ave

He

chofen If the

to
con-

the of

from foul is

the
an

of

fin !

verlion

that
not

gladdens
be

all the in
was

what angels, heaven, when

feftival mull
a

there

celebrated relaxation !

order religious
to

which

returns extinguifhing

its firft fervour the chofe The

When

God

would

fave

people
a man man

He
to

had

fettled

in the Promifed courage and

Land, He

reftore their God of the

their
at

victory.
Dominici. in

of

Dominicans,
was

the

beginning
the

of the Abufes train

fifteenth had the

century,
duced intro-

Beato

Giovanni the

been
two

into

Order

of

great

Italy had been by which fcourges, The the precedingcentury. plague

holieft Church and
was

defolated had
cut

during
down the the
certainty un-

moft

devout

;* and

the

fchifm

which into

caft the furvivors ftillexperiencing

as

to

their courfe. evil with the

Beato zeal.

Giovanni He chofe thus

Dominici generous
new

combated afliftants

the from which In

convents, back

and the

formed

houfes,

brought
1400,

primitiverule
himfelf mofl
at

in

vigour.
with the

he

eftablifhed

Fiefole,

fourteen reformed

taken religious
convent

for the
;

part from

of

Cortona

and

in the follow-

In

1348, the
of four

convent

of

Santa

Maria

Novella

loft

in feventy-feven religious

the

fpace

months.

BIRTH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

ing

year, the

two

brothers

of

Mugello
to

went

to

increafe

this little Dominican When

a man

family.
the world which
enter

leaves
new name

the

cloifter,
new

he receives

fymbolizes his
fecond
and

life.

is regarded as a Religious profeflion called Fra Giovanni, Our was painter Fra than
and

baptifm.

his brother

Benedetto. any

The

other, ftnce

who

myfteries of beauty and of Divine love, the eternal objects of the true artift's contemplation."1 gotten however, has forPofterity,
that
name

of prophet, was, penetratedfartheft

fuitable John was more " S. John, the apoftle, evangelift all the friends of Chrift,the one
name

of

into

the

for

two

others is
now

merited fometimes

by

his

life

and

works.

Fra

Giovanni

called Fra devoted This laft

Angelico,the Angelic Brother

admirers
name
we

and
,

by

his

more

il

Beato,
him

the in

give

Angelico. Bleffed, our hiftory,becaufe

his

it belt

exprefTesthe purity of
of his The

talent, and

the

character

fanctity.2 firft days of religious life have

cannot

charm the

which

the world of

underftand.

God

fweetnefs.
to

everything with a In it, He is intimatelyprefent, in

its firft The of which fruits, noviciate of
a a

beginnings particularbeauty and

order HimHe declares

clothes

receive

felf the

jealous.

cloifter is the

dawn,
;

and fpring-tide

infancy of
and

higher exiftence

and

its peace,

delights, joys
Reglcment
de la

hopes, none
Sainl~Jean-l'
this

can

tell.

R.

P.

Lacordaire,
authors

de confrtric but

Evangelijie.
appellation. place,
we

Some would
have

call Beato

Angelico Fiefole ;
in the

is

wrong his

If

we

designateour
to

painter,
or

Italian mode,
we

by

native
or

mould but

lay Mugelkaio,
name

Ficfohnio, as

fay Perugiann,

Parmpfano

Fiefole is only the

of

place.

ORDER

OF

S.

DOMINIC.

$3
mother
towards

There who

God has

mows

Himfelf undertake
more a

like

her

P)n
to

long

and

he
nd

him preffes lavifhes

carefles his

tenderlythan on him, the

painfuljourney: her heart, to ever

remembrance of

rhich will fweeten abfence. When

to
was
we

it is natural

go

and confole him in his fatigues fludy the works of Beato Angelico, back to the epoch which prepared

them,

and

their

fource.

But

we

find

that

tain foun-

fealed abundance

judge
flower

the
as

garden fhut, the purity and of which We only angels know. may and believe the caufe,then, from the effecl:,
and
as

that

beautiful
means

the fruit has

been

delicious.

Another

of

appreciatingBeato
the who religious Firft of
we

Angelico's
were

early years,
friends
at

is

by knowing
whom be born the age.

his

that time. of
to

all, was

Beato

Giovanni God

Dominici,
made
earn

have of poor of

already fpoken.
parents, and
his he

him his

let him
was

bread

by
of the

fweat When

brow,

till he

eighteenyears
of S.

afked

for the habit

Novella of Santa Maria religious whofe the point of refufing were on a man, young exterior and education hope ; but from gave fo flight his noviciate,his progrefsin letters and virtue was him for a model took and a fuch, that his fuperiors he mafter. made fo During his protracted vigils, good ufe of his rare intellect and prodigious memory, the difficulties of theology, that he rapidly overcame mathematics The fuccefs and canon law. philofophy, him of his preaching caufed be to compared with his miraculous S. Vincent Ferrer,who was exercifing time. at the fame Florence, Pifa,Lucca, apoftolate

Dominic,

Venice

and

Rome

were

reformed

at

his word

and

34 with

BIRTH

OF

BEATO

ANGELIC

O.

and religion

morality, peace

for the

people

and

happinefsfor families everywhere reappeared. His biographerremarks that, notwithftandingthe vigour he purfued vice, his charitytaught him with which of any one. the lecret of never wounding the feelings who wifhed hinder him from Thofe to on preaching,
account

of the crowds
not

he converted refift the

and withdrew

from

the

world, could
the
to

of hearing and pleafure he and had moft

at

applauding him.
was

The of his

work

heart,
his

reform fuch
a

Order,

fuccefs crowned

that the rule was foon degree, ing again throughout all Italy. After he had efforts the
convent

flourifhfounded
to

of

Fiefole, God
made
to

called His

His chief

fervant

greater
in

and things, putting an end the Church. other Marco

him

inftrument fo

the

fchifm

which

had

long
were

defolated The Beato of

companions
of

of his

Beato

Angelico
Pietro

Venice,

prior; Beato
Beato

Lorenzo

Capucci, fifteen years of age, forgot the nobility of who, when his family for that of Jems Chrift,by begging in the ftreets and fervingin the hofpitals Coftanzo ; Beato of Fabriana, whofe ardent charity obtained everything from God and man, and Beato Antonio Neyrot, who fo glorioufly his fall by voluntary marredeemed tyrdom. Pirates had made him and carried prifoner After having at firft generoufly conhim to Tunis. ferred
his faith amidft torments, weak maid. touched
as

his novice-mafter; Ripafratta,

he let himfelf S. Peter But

a

be

come over-

by pain,and
the from he voice his of
a

was

had

been

at

fervant Matter take

a

merciful

look

Divine
to

his heart He

alfo, and

refolved

great

revenge.

purified

ORDER

OF

S.

DOMINIC.

35

himfelf
e

by

tears

and

prayer, and

exercifed

himfelf

for

by bloody penances ; and then, being clothed again with the ftxengthof Chrift and the before the judges, to habit of his Order, he went ccufe himfelf of his guiltand to preach the Gofpel. ive days of threats, promifesand torments, could with arms break him, and he died, kneeling, not upof ftones. raifed to heaven, buried under a fhower
combat

Beato

moft Angelico's younger than him

efteemed

friend but

was

ninus, S. Antoin the

to

in years
went to

older

cloifter. Beato ftature

to fmile,

At

thirteen, he

offer

himfelf

Giovanni
and

Dominici, who, feeinghis diminutive delicate conftitution, promifed, with a

when the he

receive him

thoroughlyknew
in he had learned

canon
turned, re-

law.

The fome

boy

took

anfwer

earneft, and

time

when after,

by

heart This doors

the voluminous acl of courage

to

treatifes of that difficult fcience.

and

memory

opened

the

convent

learningand virtues foon raifed him to he was the greateft in which as charges, diftinguifhed much by his parts as by his deep humility. All their Beato lives, Angelico and his brother Fra Benedetto united with S. Antoninus were by the ties of a lively pointed him out for the fee friendfhip.Our painter the Pope wifhed himfelf whom it was of Florence, when raife to that high dignity. S. Antoninus made to as honours efforts to avoid do as people generally many obtain them ; but he found no to refuge from the
him. His Divine
as

and will,

had of

to

become

the model

he had

been in

that account,

religious.He made no of living, but his mode

and mortified

bifhops change,on
retained his

of

habit,rule

and

laborious

life ; banifhed
D 2

36

BIRTH

OF

BEJTO

ANGELICO.

every with

luxury
energy of

from and

his mildnefs. and

houfe,
He of in the

and

corrected

abufes the the

was

eminently
poor, of his ferve and
at

apoftle
age of

peace

father died

the

feventy
thefe

years

joy
"

Lord,
God

nouncing prois
to

beautiful

words,

To

reign."
To

fpeak

of

thefe in

faints

is

no

digreffion
like from

from in

our

fubject.
it and is reflected

Virtue

convent

is and

light
the

nature;

on

everything, together,
is all ifolated. refults

rays

crofTed in

blending nothing
all, becaufe
in God.

general
merit of

harmony
each heart

which

The

belongs
and
one

to

really

have

but

one

foul

38

BEATO

ANGELICO'S

RESIDENCE

empires. The refidence of the Popes in the county of their of Avignon had proved the neceffity clearly of Sienna, the and S. Catherine political independence, the miflion to had received Joan d'Arc of catholicity, city. bringGregory IX. back to Rome, the predefined The Sovereign Pontiff has the whole earth for his blefs it will he muft country, but the place whence be the tomb of the Apoftles. ever
The that
one

Cardinals the election

who had

nominated
not

Urban

VI. maintained made

a

been their

free,and

new

under

the

preffureof
of
went

paflionand
took the
at

private
name

interefts.
Clement

Robert

Geneva
to

of

VII.,
which

and

rule

the patronage the world became

wars.

of France. had

Then

Avignon under began the fchifm of

Weft
was

more

deplorablerefults. The divided, and the ftruggle in the Church fatal to civilization than the moft bloody
fuch
or

Excommunications,
were

favours combat.

ftill more The

gerous, dandefire
de-

the weapons

of
to

the
an

led creating partizans and to ftroyed difcipline,

of

indulgencewhich
which

nominations

kept

up

anarchy even in the fmalleft localities. Cities had two troubled and two conbifhops,convents fuperiors ; fciences no longer perceived the vifible order eftablifhed earth the to to even on by God convey weakeft the doctrine the of His and infallibility archy, hierof His facraments. In this difordered ftrength each a chofe, not guide for his foul but a an or protector for his affairs, accomplice for his have covetoufnefs. been This ftate of thingswould the deftruction of the Church, had fhe not poffeffed the eternal promifes.

AND

ARTISTIC

STUDIES/

]i)

When
and

Pope

Innocent

VII., fucceffor
at

of Urban

VI. of

Boniface

IX.,

died

Rome,

the

Republic
to

Florence

deputed Beato
conclave order that

Giovanni
to

Dominici them
to

the

dinals car-

of the

engage

fufpendthe
the fchifm

election,in

the
;

extinction when he

of

might

be rendered had fee

eafier been
at

but

arrived, Pope
de
name

Gregory XII. who kept his

Benedict the gave him
on

oppofed to Peter the Avignon, under

illuftrious Dominican and virtues

Luna,
of

XIII.

The which the

exerted

influence him
on over

his

enlightenment

Sovereign Pontiff, to determine in cafe his competitor, renouncing the tiara,

fide, would
renounce

his

his in this

pretenlions.The
matter

negotiationsundertaken Council of Pifa,which

the difficulties ; for the mutual
and

led of

to

the

increafed
two

inftead

adverfaries for
not

refolving found, in their

their word;

conduct,
their

reafons

keeping

collegesbeing again met Alexander depofing them, nominated

Inftead Beato fador
of

after together, V. in their ftead. three.

as

of

two

Popes
with

there

were

now

Giovanni peace,

Dominici

remained,

the the

ambaf-

Gregory XII.,

and

fequel

Council his fympathiesand The conduct. juftified of Conftance, which the fchifm, was terminated fuccefsful of of
de

through Gregory

the XII.

obedient
;

and

tion voluntary abdicafucceffor Peter

whilft

John XXIII.,
to

Alexander Luna

V., yielded only

the

force,

and

died in his criminal

obftinacy.
of Florence had declared the contrary, the
to

Meanwhile,

Republic
V.
On

itfelf for Alexander

of

religious
of their
as

Fiefole, being faithful

firm
to

the

direction XII.
;

founder, remained

Gregory

and

it

40

BEATO

ANGELICO'S

RESIDENCE

was

them change fides by violence, fought to make their liberty they they protected by flight.The town led them, chofe for their afylum was Foligno. God it was for a particular as end, to that part of Italy, there He Beato would Angelico for his fair prepare deftinies. The Florentine
was

fchool
a new

from

which

phafe of its was abandoning by degrees its hieratic types, and of feeking in its compofitions rather the perfection form than the manifeftation of the religious thought.
The

him,

then

in

feparated development. It

He

mind,
heaven.

diverted of

from

the the

true

aim

of art, reflected of the beauties order

to

the beauties of

earth,to

detriment

Ghiberti it the

ffudied

fteal from

the eleof gance nobility of its proportions. had Paolo Ucello for perfpective, a ftrong paflion which and chofe befl: exhibit its illucould fubjects Exactnefs in anatomical the details, truth of

in antiquity, its figures and

lions.

likenefs,the
of
were

difficulties of and

movements, the

forefhortening, preciflon of lines, harmonious combination

of the artifts who flngle already prepofTefflon the admiration the pious of connoifTeurs to preferred learned, fympathy of the crowd. Paintingbecame more alfo lefs Chriftian. the world from Angelico, already feparated was cloifter, removed, too, from Florence, the of which
went to

but

Beato

by the neighbourhood
his like

might
grow who up
are

trouble under fent in

a

the

talent, and
thofe
dear

purityof another iky,

from the air and

children

far

turmoil

of the

by

more

to be city, breaft. tranquil

nurtured

purer

AND

ARTISTIC

STUDIES.

The life of
one

influence
man

locality plays a great part in the difference between it makes a efpecially

another. world God from channels with
a

of

people
flow into

and the

made

the human

race

to

linglefource,but
for its waves. banks. wild Some

He

has
are

prepared various
rivers which vary their

Nations cipitate pre-

their

noify courfe
over
:

through quiet fand.

it fenfes the its

rocks, others
makes

roll their
our

waters

the

Country
it

exiftence

every feed

day
our

gives its reports, its lights

;

and

imagery
of
;
our

to

from

come

the of
our

forms heart

there We

thought and every joy finds

imbibe it
at

reminifcences

mark, each
pore, of

event

its up from

place.
our

every

it make

whole

being,and
to
man

when what with

abfence

us feparates

it,we
This of the

underftand union of

degree
what made
us

it is

our

element. is
a

furrounds the

him,
fouls

law the

Creator.
and

God

has
over

of

world that

us difperfed

the whole fhore

earth,in
may

order
a

every

mountain,

valley and
moft
one

have

voice,a

prayer. varied of the the fhadow

out

Italyis, perhaps,the globe, and this unity fhe dreams glory.

which The it will be
at

country
obftacles

of
to

the the

will

be

of, under
difficult

of her ancient

mountains

trace to

there, feparations
The traveller is fo and frequently, within fo fmall

deftroy.

aftonifhed
at
a

changing
many
are

his scenery

meeting fo fpace. There

different beauties the rich

which which

plains of Piedmont, of the bright coafts of Genoa, Germany is jealous ; make us forget thofe of France and Spain ; the
the
;

majefticfolitude of of the Abruzzi afpecls

Roman the

Campagna ; the wild Iky of Naples; intoxicating

42

BEJTO

JNGELICO'S

RESIDENCE

the volcanic
as

lands

of
;

with Sicily, and the

their ruins

myfterious
Adriatic,
great
which Lom-

thofe

of

Egypt
with

fhores the

of the Eaft

once

crowded of the up

fhips from
thefe of them.

in the

days
In fums

wealthyVenice.
centre

of

countries More

is
uneven

Umbria,
than

the whole the

bardy and
than the memories

Romagna,
of who

frefher

than

Tufcany, fweeter
the deareft
can one

environs in
one

Naples,

it leaves it.

has gone

over

How

forgetthe lightfo pure, the atmofphere fo tranfparent, the lakes reflecting mornings fo frefh and evenings fo for diadems calm ; the mountains topped with towns ; with beautiful ravines, the hills all wreathed brought
out,
rare

fhapes, againft the

where fruit elms has its their rich

cloudlefs the and

valleys, torrents, roads,

to

the
never

fky ; the lend vine-garlands ? graceful foliage

without
periencing ex-

No!

artiftvifited

that

country

There the fchool of happy influence. Milton and Perugino copied its chafte landfcapes, verfe to paint his Paradife.1 found Spots fo beautiful could not fail to have a hiftory; have left traces of antiquity and the middle ages their paffage. There and Rome Carthage difputed when the empire of the world ; and had feudality the ruins heaped up by the barbarians, built its caftles on Umbria the liftswhere unfurled became chivalry Thofe its banners. of now-a-days, the wars not were begun in the darknefTes of diplomacy and ended in the calculations of ftrategy but Homeric combats ; mingled with difcourfes and fefrivals, tourneys held
1

Milton
was

vifited

and Italy,

fojourned
his

long

time the

at

the banks

Abbey
of the

of

Vallombrofa.

He

infpiredin particularly

defcriptionby

Arno.

AND

ARTISTIC

STUDIES.

43
the

and plain, heightsby towns

on

the

gazed
deftined thofe

upon

from

neighbouring
theatre been had of
to
one

for the conqueror.

God of

alfo

chofe

placesas
Thofe who

the

his faireft victories.

to
recover

had

the very

Eaft

the

fepulchreof

Chrift

quickly forgotten the aim of their holy enterprife. Mahometanifm, vanquifhed by arms, triumphed by its cuftoms the Crufaders, being compelled to ; and
ftrike their tents,

brought vices
that

back In

to

Europe
order
to

which fave it,

endangered Chriftian
God inftituted

civilization.

chivalryof poverty of which the grand mafter. None S. Francis was felt the folly of the Crofs more of man deeply than that young the world by contempt Affifi. He for riches, overcame who formed the and traverled legions of apoftles earth,teachingby word and example the paflionfor faw the beauty of the of Umbria facrifice. The plains exulted at the lightof of Jacob, and the Church tents
its wondrous like
a

fruitfulnefs.1
of

The

life of

S. Francis in

was

great fhout

victoryre-echoed

the

bouring neigh-

S. Clare of Affifi valleysand mountains. Rofe then of Viterbo, Angela of repeated it firft, of Foligno, Agnes of Montepulciano, Catherine brated celeSienna, and Margaret of Cortona, all of whom the divine When hill of for The of
1

of nuptials

love and had gone

poverty.
to

the

new

Crucified
like and

reft upon

the

his tomb, Afliri, made grace

became Chrift's,

glorious ;
from the it. dawn

God

pardon

ftream
was

church
a new

it was by which architecture,and

General

covered

fucceffive
26th,
12

from painters,
than five thoufand

At thefecond

Chapter, held May

on

19,

more

of difciples

S. Francis

encamped

the

around of Affiii, plains

the Portiuncula.

44 Cimabue

BEATO

ANGELICO'S

RESIDENCE

decorated it with their fweeteft Perugino, Under what into what infpirations. purer iky and Providence holier place could lead Beato Angelico his talent ? for developing Hiilory does not tell us who was Beato Arrgelico's
to

firft mailer.

Some

authors

mention

Gherard

Starnino

Mafolino da Panicale (1354-1403), and give him (1 378-141 5) for his fellow-pupil ; but this opinionhas
no

other

foundation
matter
a

than

certain

iimilitude

of

ftyle.
very the him-

It The

befides,a is,
mailer is

of little importanceto
to

clear up.

but mediocrity, little to the geniustaught direclly and by nature pail. It is evident that Beato Angelico formed felf outiide the
was

great deal

artiftic

movement

of Florence. real

ture MiniaHe

his

firft

occupation and
one

fchool.

grew

up

alone, like
the very
to

of of

thofe the
tree

vigorous faplings
to
renew

rifingfrom
It is
a

root

it.

miilake

painting ; the independent of

manifeil The cedar the and

miniature from hiilorical feparate image is like the thought it reprefents, its dimeniions. God in and
man can

beautiful its vail wind its

;

in little and fhades but

to
are

great
feed

things.
which

in the

is carried

by
and

the

fulfil the

of myileries feed of

its life, and

a

prepare

the magnificence, foil : the

art

requires
miniature

good
We

undiilurbed

found

this in the cloiiler. have

alreadyquite correcled the ftrangejudgment and it is now almoil on formerlypaiTed convents, life has been the commonplace to fay that religious
in In age which the back Church
to

holy ark
nature.

has

renewed of
at

human pro-

going
boafls

the fource

all the

grefsour

of,we

always arrive

the cloiiler

46
Art
are

BEATO

ANGELICO'S

RESIDENCE

receives

its fcience

from

developed in the world firft impofed by faith ; are tradition,and recognize its authority. They are a extended afterwards explainsthe by fcience, which
relation of the vilible and of inviiible, the caufe and

religion. Religions by three degrees. They men accept a revelation,

a

Finally, by lignsand they are communicated and images always neceiTary for our only nature, when they have tranflated their doctrines by outward refufe forms, do they attain their full empire. To the language of art to is to a religion, dry up its
effecl:. fource This very for the of majority of mankind.
to

affimilation

artiftic forms

doctrine

is

of antiquity.Their religions theologies being bafed only on the confufed traditions of a primitiverevelation, created, in order to exprefs the relations of the Supreme Being with the univerfe, vaft fyftem of fymbols calculated render the exto a planations of them palpableto the people. But the fageskept the key, and gave it up only in the fecret Thus of the initiations. the people Hopped at the form and fell into idolatry. form The of the Greeks the moil was religious the development of art, becaufe favourable to to one vilible give the inviiible they took the moft perfect, like the Orientals, tical fantasbeing. Inftead of creating, as fymbols of their belief, figures they chofe man had made Himfelf whom God to His own image,and their genius ftrove to exprefs in his perfon their ideas Not of the Firft Caufe. only did they invent types the higher powers of nature, but they reprefenting their phenomena. alfo compofed hiftories to recount remarkable

in the

AND

ARTISTIC

STUDIES.

47

That

vaft

with

became a aflemblage of allegories language, which artifts could exprefs everything. The fcenes
on

figuresand
known
to art

their

monuments

had

fenfe the
are

the

people,and
favoured

that focial its

life of

and

language was development. We

beginning to decipher heathen iconography,defpite the Romans the obicurity brought into it by mixing nations of the quered. together all the religions they conWhen fhall
we

alfo revive !

Chriftian

graphy, icono-

fo ufeful and Themiddle ages

fo admirable had
an

to as fcience, fuperior to

iconography, an artiftic heathen iconographyas lightis

have realities

fhade.

Inftead

of

Chriftians ficlions,

for

images. God Chrift,in putting beauty

is univerfe

has
on

incarnate, and reallybecome the human form, has become

virtue. All of of
man

the type of in the that grace. worlds.

and

that

is admirable
and

reflection heart make

His

light ;
is
a

all

is fublime His He

in the

ray

of His make

thoughts
is the of the the

His faints, of time

and

words

centre

meeting-point
mafter the Old
and

prefent and
argument
of the

the

fpace,the future, the

tb
of

of events, New

the hiftory, fource

of the

Teftaments,

Church,
This

the ftrength of martyrs. purityof virgins, prefentsto primal and fruitful beauty,religion
art.

the

Chriftian

What and

fcience

did

it

not

require to
fcience the

comprehend
Fathers
on

of the

reproduce it ! Church prepared in

but fathers

This

their commentaries gave it

the

Holy Scriptures ;
to

they who
of

fyftem
art,
are

and

merit

be called the

Chriftian

the the

who monks were patientand unknown turning of manufcriptsinto piousimages,and creating text

48
a

BEATO

JNGELICO'S

RESIDENCE

iign and fymbol

of the the and

affection truths

bright thought and each heart. By them, the moft elevated ufeful leffons of religion moft were
of all. Chriftian could
nature art

for each

brought within
a

the reach the moft

became

book

wherein mirror in their

univerfal

wherein moral

ignorant and hiftory

"

read,
were

an

lineated de-

forms

mirror

dimmed

by

but ftill ferviceable, if ftudy reftores to ignorance, and its images. its brightnefs us There artiftswill find againthe fcience, the language, the multitude. which What is art gives power over without iconography? Mere ifolated a els,individual
our
a reveries,

relation

between

the

initiated

few.

But

with

iconography,with
to

figns and
becomes and
a

fymbols

hensible compreand

every

one,

art

focial power,

means
on

of
to

fubduing
virtue and

minds

hearts,of carrying

them Let

and have painters the wonders of Chriftian the holy ambition to renew The art. figures flocking our cathedrals are often again in manufcripts unexplained ; they will be found the text. befide ftill unManufcripts are a mine opened, we riches, fay,by archaeology.What may what pious and genuine beauties ! Every page has its joys and tears, as each day its lightand dew ; there And flowers and fruits for every feafon. are theywere poor with monks the who have the

them in love. uniting who fculptors ftudyminiature,

thus

identified in

the

life of God

art

life of

Church,

praying to

by

but to excite images, and having no other ambition heart of their brethren ! Sometimes a holy thought in the the Father of the family gave them a higher and increafed, place at His banquet ; their tafk was

AND

ARTISTIC

STUDIES.

49

they painted their

churches forced
and and and

them

the walls of mafterpieceson cloifters. Fame and paid them a vilit, wider to on a : ftage princes appear
to

cities invited them

to

decorate the moil Beato

their monuments, celebrated artifts.1

affociate them
was

with

ture Angelico. MiniaHe his firfh fchool. ftudied the holy truths was of religion in thofe beautiful manulcripts, in which the text is tranflated and commentated by the pencil. he was fatisfied with that teaching, But not and, like the Chriftian becomes the of difciple orator, who the holy fathers like them clothe doclrine with the to charms the great of eloquence,profoundly ftudied their works fo well, as to mafters, and appropriated the moft illuftrious reprefentative of the great become fchool of Giotto. He did not in fearch of go aftray the is done in our own as originality, days. Now his want of thinks to redeem moft indifferent painter whilft the greateft talent by novelty of compofition, artifts of afraid
to to

Such

the

deftinyof

Greece follow

and the

of track
on

the of

middle their

ages

were

not

exercife

themfelves

models

Chriftian like
one

compofttions belong to the prayers adopted by the according to repeats indifferently,

the
to

and predeceflbrs, confecrated. already ; they are every one Church, which each his Beato

faith and dedicated exile

rapture of his heart.

degree of Angelico
His

the

ftudy of
the

the great mafters

his years of

paffedunder
prove

fair

iky of

Umbria.

tures picThe

it better than

hiftorical documents.

Dom

Bartolomeo

della Gatta,
miniature.

Camaldolefe He
was

arrived religious,

at

torical great hif-

paintingthrough Perugino,to paint the

charged,with

Luca

and Signorelli

Siftine

Chapel.
E

50 earlieft

BEATO

ANGELICAS

RESIDENCE

fhow the influence efpecially Giotto, and in them are found types from Affifi
was

of
and

the

fchool

of

rowed borfigures

the
to

at paintings

Affifi. what the univerfities of

Chriftian
were

art to

Paris and Great

Bologna
came

fcience

in the middle

ages. nobleft the thefe

to

artifls

their to depofit fucceffively of S. Francis

;

at the tomb infpirations walls of his fanctuary were

ex-volos

and

when with

adorned entirely churches facred

were

receive
were

genius, other them, and all the

of

opened
of the

edifices
new

beautified with

which paintings, make

city generations

of artifls

fought to

they
and

came

men,

worthy of the mafterpieces admire. to Defpite the ravages of time Affifi is ftill the mofl and complete interefting
mufeum for the
a

Chriftian

ftudent few

of

tradition. diftance in thofe

Foligno and and from it,

two

Perugia are only Beato Angelico,who

muft
have

hours' dwelt
a

long
made

towns,
to

very

often

pilgrimage
travelled
;

fo fweet

the artift and beautiful

the Chriftian. with dei

He

through that
vifited the crated S. the

ftudded valley Maria

fancfuaries

church fo many

of Santa

Angeli,confeconvent ;

by

and recollections,
to

the

of
at

Damiano,
tombs

fo faithful of S. Clare

its

and

virginpoverty S. Francis, and

to

knelt

received

in the

the Sagro Convento refufed, during fo many Thus

at

fraternal ages,

never hofpitality

the the the

children mafters

of he

S. Dominic. had loved

he

found He

again
ftudied

Florence.

magnificent

by Pietro Cavallini,ftill fo remarkable for its beauty of colouring notwithftandingmutilations, Life of the Virgin, of expreffion and energy ; the of the BlefTed Gaddi Sacraby Taddeo ; the Chapel
Crucifixion

AND

ARTISTIC

STUDIES.

5 of S.

ment,

by by
of

Giottino Buffalmaco which

the
;

Hiftory
and

Mary
altar
over

dalen, Magin four the

the crowned the

great
the

poem

cantos, with

Giotto But

body
moll

S. Francis. his

who painter

perhaps

Simone was Memmi, in fympathies the admirable chapel where the Hiftory of S. Martin is reprefented. Thefe have recalled to our paintings

engaged

mind

more

than

any

others

the

character

and

grace

of his talent. To ftudied

us,

it is old

the

that beyond doubt paintingsof Sienna

Beato
:

Angelico
them with he looks
:

from

moftly borrowed

the type of his Madonnas far from his

fo pure and fweet.1 Sienna is not Beato Angelicooften pafTed it on

went probably by his

Florence

journeys,and
feftivals celebrated

there Order He

to

affiftat the annual of S.

in honour muft

Catherine,before
Andrea

her canonization.2 the he of difciple has left

was us

have

known

Vanni,
whom

that
;
as

the great faint, well

as

of portrait di

Taddeo

Bartolo, who,

paintingthe beautiful Annunciation ferred prein the public gallery of the city.3 If Beato Angelico found mafters and friends at Sienna, there he had difciples and imitators ; for later on too we fee Giovanni mall di Paolo infpired by his compoand borrowing whole fttions, figuresfrom his Laft
1

in 1409,

We

will cite

the particularly written

DE

fine Madonna thefe verfes

SEN1S VELIT DIEBVS AGERE
:
"

by

Guido

of

Sienna,

at

the

foot

of which

the painter has

ME

GHVIDO
LENIS NVLLIS

DEP1NXIT

AMENIS,
ANNO
D.

QUEM

Kps

PENIS.

MCCXXI.

The
2

church

of S. Domenico
de

at

Sienna.

"

Rosini, Storia
n.

della

Pittura, plateiv.

Fie de S. Catherine

Siemie, part ii., chap.

See

the

procefsof Venice,

Dom
torn,
3

Martene,
vi, p. 1238.

Feterum

Scriptorum
No.

ti

Monumentoriim

amplijjima Colleclio,

third Catalogue,

room,

1.

52

BEATO

ANGELICO'

RESIDENCE

Judgments.
talent

No

fchool

has greater

conformitywith
of Sienna.

the

of Beato the

Angelico than
of the and old

the fchool

To added

ftudy

mailers, Beato

Angelico
as

that of nature,

thereby furpafTedpreceding
not

painters. He
for the fcience when mark he

did certainly

ufe He
on

model,
no

the

artifts of the RenaifTance of the nude human

did.
;

had the

ambition occaflons be

and

rare

paintedthe
faults in

body,

it would he

down

anatomy.

Was

eafy to thinking of

knees and with tearful them, when, on bended avoiding paintinghis Chriits ? But if he neglecled eyes, he was a talent more advantageous to the fenfes and to the artiftic vanitythan to pietyand the glory of God, he did his utmofh of nature to givethe beauties truthfully. His movements exacl, his proportions are happy, and he condenfes his figures a life and an on expreffion which imagination alone could not have yielded. In indifference flifles models, whofe place of mercenary he found in the religious infpiration, furrounding him he could his thoughts communicate to whom friends, and the life-like expreffion of feelings. This explains his faints, who feem be painted from It to nature. is evident,alfo, that Beato Angelico'spoeticfoul took in ftudying the riches with which the Creator pleafure has decked the earth. In his firft pictures larly particufind flowers copied with all the joyoufnefs we and patience of love, and his compofitionsfometimes which for frefhnefs and truth would prefent landfcapes, do honour to the ableft Flemifh painters. Beato Angelico muft had cartoons have well filled with ftudies. He and carefully prepared his pictures, the drawings of them find the fame preferved ; for we

54

BEATO

JNGELICCTS

RESIDENCE.

the the

evangelifts
arch of and with The book biftre beautiful how
our

S.

Mark in

and the

S.

Matthew,
The green

painted
former

on

the fet both

chapel
off in

Vatican.
on a

is
;

warned holds knee. clofed with very fland works.

white
a

ground
on

he

hands has left

: a

book in

opened
his the Thefe and

his

right
and
a

latter in
on

pen

right hand,
pen,
two

his

it is with

and

warned
are

white and well

ground.
finiihed,

ftudies
us

make and

underhis

painter

prepared

executed

Thus

Beato and

Angelico
his

neglected
talent.

no

means

of

vating culti-

developing

He him

ftudied
to

tradition clothe underfrand.

and faith The art,

nature.

Manufcripts
images
mailers he of
a

taught
all the

his

with old and

and

fymbols
him

could

taught

great

principles
as

of scendant dehis

imitated noble
race

their

mafterpieces,
the virtues did the

the of

imitates their

exploits
without
fame in

anceftors,
their
to

by

following
Beato

aping regard ties, qualiHe

actions.

Angelico

his

predeceffors, by appropriating
without

their

good

fervilely copying
and
not

their in the

pictures.
ftudy
and of
to

fought
He

progrefs,
her

found

it

nature.

ftudied but them

through
love for of

vanity
the

furpafs
and
to

others,

through
in the

Creator,
works.

glorify

beauty

His

Chapter

IV.

THE

FIRST

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO

(1408-1418).

HE very

works

of

Beato but time

Angelico
our

are

numerous,

bleffed

paintercounted nothing,and
them.
Still
never we

and

glory

as

lignednor
will
the endeavour aid of

dated
to

hiftory, the different and as phafes of his His talent point out to us. picturesdo not prefent the changes of ftyle undergone by other artifts through The love of God, being his only influences. external mony them diffufed over unity and perfectharinfpiration,
them, by claffify
;
as

but

that

very

harmony
tones, felf-fame

has

delicate

tints, even
its years,

the

heart

has

different

accordingto
and divided into

whilft The number

the repeating life of of Beato

prayers

canticles.
a

Angelico is

certain

arrange

epochs, in which all his pictures.The

it will be hills of the

eafy for us to neighbourhood

5"
of Florence

FIRST

WORKS

OF

childhood. religious His youth expanded under the fair fky of Umbria, amidft the archaic works of Chriftian painting. The Fiefole and his from his departure ten years between return not were entirely fpent in ftudying the old

had feen his artiftic and

mailers, and
of the time The
to

he

confecrated, no

doubt,

great part

making pictures. exile whofe religious, voluntary

four years But the in the
convent

he had

fhared,
at

remained

of S.

Domenico,

Foligno.
14
1

3, caufed

fome the

more it, fearing one

Umbria about plague, afflicting relaxation in it, and they quitted fcourgemenacing their fouls than attack of their

which
to

might
convent

bodies.
the

They

drew with-

the

Cortona,

cradle of Beato of moft he of

Giovanni them.

Dominici's
Beato

reform, and noviciate

at doubtlefs,

Angelicowent with them ; but and perhapsthen Perugiaalfo,

the
at convent

ftaid,

executed

the

in picture and

of his Order. feem

He
to
us

This
to

thofe

Cortona

painting belong ne-

to cefTarily

others there

now

to

probably made many of cloifters, loft or hidden in the obfcurity fome at delight holy fouls. The paintings period.
Cortona of
were

this

Perugia and
of

done and

under

the

influence

the

fchool

Giotto,

the naturalnefs of heart which

alone
a

chapelof San Niccolo dei Guidalotti is now in the chapelof S. Orfola, in the church of S. Domenico, at Perugia.It muft originally been have into oblong, and divided, like triptichs, three compartments and with a in angles, terminated
the

The

youth nurtured poffefs. executed for picture

they fuperabound in and frefhnefs of imagination, by pious meditations can

BEATO

ANGELICO.

SI

on a gold ground, the Holy gradino.1 It reprefents, both Son. fides of the On Virgin and her Divine throne, angelsare carryingbafkets of flowers,whence the rofe he is taken have the child Jefus feems to The of the Son and expreffion holding in his hand. feem the fmile of the Mother to fay that this rofe is God of the Myftical Rofe which emblem has the chofen, amongft the faireft and pureft creatures, to there and put on our defcend humanity. In the two for this picture, ferving as mutters compartments Beato Angelico has painted S. John the Baptift,

S.

Catherine,"S. Dominic,
The

and

S. Nicholas. three The

gradino is alfo divided into the legend of S. Nicholas. reprefenting

are

pictures,
firft two

at

Rome,
has

in the Mufeum
at

of the

Vatican.

The

third the

remained

and Perugia,

is in the

convent

of S. Domenico.

The

of facrifty firftpicture com-

three fubjects. prifes

i.

The
and
a

birth of S. Nicholas.
female wafhes the

His

mother
is

is put

to

bed,
His
2.

child,who

ftanding.2
His

little body is well drawn.

The

young
to

Nicholas

hearing a
;

fermon.

was delight

frequent churches
of the facred

and

he retained all

he heard the
a

out

A bifhop is in fcriptures.3
are women

pulpit ; and turf. flowery

3. After

his audience

feated upon

the

death
with

of his
Padre
us

parents, S. Nicholas
was

em-

Padre

Marchefe
its form

thinks and

Bottonio, that this pi"ure

believe it to be older. ftetit in

executed

in 1437, but
2

make ftyle

Hie

prima

die, dum

balnearetur, ere"us

pelvi (Legenda

aurea,

de

vita S. NicolaiJ.
3

Faftus
et

autem

juvenis,aliorum

devitans

ecclefiarum lafcivias,

potius terebat
retinebat.

limina,

quidquid ibi

de facra Scriptura

intelligere poterat,

memoriter

58

FIRST

WORKS

OF

The ploys his riches in good works. daughters of a gentleman are in danger of lofing their virtue, on,
account

from

S. Nicholas faves them poverty. fum difhonour, by throwing a confiderable

of

their

through the window, in the night-time. The fubjecl with great fimplicity of compofition.The is expreffed interior of the young is feen, and bed-chamber girls' in the foreground, his is fitting the father, watch to
benefactor. In the fecond

S. Nicholas, become picture, Bifhop veffel bound of Myra, is having unladen from for a meafures of corn, to feed the city Rome, a hundred defolated by famine. By a miraculous multiplication, the freight of the veffel is not diminifhed, and the

hundred
the
to

In fufnce the poor for two years. behind the rocks,the faint appears mid-diftance,

meafures

per! peoplewho are invoking him, and calms the temtheir fhip. threatening The third picture, frillat Perugia, contains two fubthree Roman jects.The firfh fhows S. Nicholas faving from the death by which an unjuft governor princes the have them would perifh. The fecond reprefents his of the holy bifhop. He is extended on obfequies and the poor, furrounded bier, by women by religious, whofe tell his virtues and charity. In the upper tears his foul to heaven, and with their conduct part, angels harmony celebrate his triumph.1 had fome of S. Domenico, at Perugia, The Madonna little pictures in and fhown for a frame, now feparated the facrifty. There twelve are figurespaintedwith the Two reprefenting pictures extraordinary delicacy.
1

Coeleftium

melodia

audita efb

probably, part of the top of the compofition. By Mariotti, all thefe paintingsat afcribed Gentile to Fabriano a Perugia have been ;
but the miftake different them. been is

Annunciation

formed,

evident, for
Beato the

the

flyle of

that mailer
let
us found con-

is too

from

Angelico'sto
fame

Befides,
our

compositions
we

have
our

repeated by

painter; and
and

have,

on

fide,the authority of Rofini

The
convent

of Padre

Marchefe.1

of

Cortona,
of his

where

Beato
on

Angelico
the
one

paffed the

laft years of the

ftands exile, commands

Cycloof the

pian
moft wild
over

walls

town,

and

magnificent landscapes in Italy. Beyond the declivities of the foreground, the view is extended
a

rich

plain
lake

bordered of

by mountains,
which The

and

over

the

beautiful the

Perugia,
Umbria.

reflects

like

mirror

clear

lightof
2 1

poeticalfoul

of

V. On

Marchese,
a

lib. ii,c. 4, p. he

7.
the Blefied
Hand taken

["
a

gold ground
the Divine

(Beato Angelico) painted

Babe
on

Virgin, feated
at
a

on

throne, with
bafkets
in his

her

knees.

Two feems

Angels
to
are

either
rofe with

fide,
he

with holds
and

of

flowers, from
hand.

which

the

infant
the

have

that

right
a

At

the

foot
the

of

throne

forae

fhrubs,
in

white
and this

red rofes ; The

beautiful

idea,

that

painter repeated

afterwards
on

Cortona
; and

elfewhere.

Virgin, rejoicingin
to
us

her and

maternity, fmiles
fweeteft other
of the

her he
the

Son
has

portrait appears
Its

to

be

the

nobleft

many

executed.
are

grand chara"eriftics,
and

like thofe

of all his the

paintings of
of

Madonna,
I

purity

grace,
that

fo well

befitting
of the

Mother
in

the
as

Son well
us

of
as

God.

think,
feeble.
the

however,

the
or,

defign

nude

the

infant,

angels,is

Retouchings,
drapery
there
were

perhaps, the Virgin's robe.

injuries
In the

of

time, prevent
lateral
two
on

from

recognizing
now

of

the four

the

two

compartments,
the and
the

divided,
S. John in
one

figures, two

on

right,and Martyr,

left ; thefe
S.

were

Baptift, S. Catherine, line,according

the the S. the
over to

Virgin and Giottefque

beautiful
and
on

S. Dominic
we

Nicholas, all
of thefe

the

and,

if

except

fecond
But

figures,all
was

others

are

moft of this

executed. excellently which

he the in the

truly beautiful
of

gradino
Nicholas,
Vatican. the

pifture, only
that may the
one

painted
other

three

hiftories

the
removed

life of
to

of which

remains,
feen

two

having

been

This, great door

ftillbe

church
into
two

of S. Domenico

(Perugia),
; in
one

of

is facrifty,

divided

compartments

of

60

FIRST

WORKS

OF

have enjoyed that fine fpeclovingly recalled the grand fcenery of Fiefole. tacle,which of the church of S. Domenico, at CorOn the facade in frefco. tona, he executed, probably his nrfl painting of the door, a the tympan has reprefented, He on with the child Madonna, Jefus holding a globe. in adoration and S. Dominic S. Peter Martyr are This before their throne. is damaged in the painting four Evangelifts lower part. The adorning the arch better preferved, and allow of our are admiring now the iimplicity of execution, delicacy of touch, and in natural are qualities purity of colouring,which Beato Angelico.
our

muft painter

In

the

interior

of the has been

church,

the

beautiful

tecture archi-

of which

leen,

on

the left of the

modified, are unfortunately the fhrine of Beato high altar,

which
are

he

reprefents the holy bifhop, and

act of

two

youths, who,
; ; and

with

bandaged
to

eyes,

in the

waiting
feem
axe

the

headman's
and

ftroke

multitudes, affembled
the fudden
In
on

witnefs
of the

the
Saint the

execution,

to

fhudder

groan

appearance the other he

flays the

of the

executioner, and
he
women,

faves them.

painted

funeral
the poor,

of the

Saint, whom
and

reprefentsftretched
who the exhibit

the the

bier, and

furrounded

by
that whom

by monks
is ftillmore hem upper
to

fignsof
two

deepeft grief. But

of
not

which

is exquifite of his

action

of the
away

one youthfulacolytes,

raifes the
In the

to wipe furplice

the

tears

which

he the the

could foul of

reftrain. Saint executed

part

of

the

fame

compartment

he the

painted
of

the

conducted
in the

heaven

by

angels.
and

Amongft
to me

works

Angelico,
little
that

miniature

this ftyle,

appears

to

be The

trulybeautiful,the
cornice

figures being
adorned may be this feen
no

exquifitely defigned
the that
to

coloured.
twelve

[frame]
a

picture, (now divided

near

into

pieces,each

having

little

figure,)

fame
has

door

of the
his

facrifty ; but, although they poffefs great

the

merit,
pronounce
want

one

feen

Depofition from
To

Crofs
the

in

Florence, will picture,we

them

be

his beft upper

performances.
part ; and,
them.

complete
two

entire

the

points of

the
a

probably,the

littlepi"ures in the
and the

fame

formed facrifty
a

part of

Thefe

reprefentthe
to
me

Annunciation
have been

angel Gabriel, on
the fame

gold ground.
I would
not

They
dare

appear
to

to
"

executed

by

painter,but
"

affirm

it."

Marchese,

hy Mcehan,

vol. i, p. 177.

Translator's

note.]

62

FIRST

WORKS

OF

the and

fignalfor
love. fecond

the

conquefl

of

the

world

by

fcience

in S. Dominic reprefents exftacy before the altar. The Apoftles S. Peter and of the the book S. Paul appear to him, and give him fymbols of his divine Gofpelsand the travellers ftafF, A young miffion. pauling on the threfhold religious of the oratory, happilycontemplatesthis fcene. with the In the third picture, S. Dominic difputes them and propofes to to try their oppoiite Albigenfes, the writings doctrines by fire. The flames confume the book of the heretics, and, on the contrary, refpect The

compartment

of S. Dominic. In the his of the fourth

young mother. Niccolo

picture,the holy patriarchraifes and gives him back to Napoleon to life, This compolition recalls the bas-relief
of Pifa
on

the

tomb

of

S.

Dominic,

at

Bologna. Our painterappears to have been feveral of that monument, times infpired by the fculptures which filialpietydoubtlefs led him to vifit. The next us prefent at the repaft picture makes
where bread blefTed round S. Dominic from
two

and

his brethren

receive miraculous

the angels. The laft paintingprefents The death of the Holy Founder. furreligious him, weeping, and kifs his hands, whilfl angels into the bofom of God. We
do
not

compohtions, becaufe we fhall have to in another them examine more attentively gradino. thefe pictures into Four charming figures feparate

foul carry his Hop at thefe

pairs. The
and breaft wrote,

firft is S. Peter

Martyr, from
blood of the

whofe

head he

efcapesthe generous expiring,the firft words

with

which
;

creed

the

BEATO

ANGELICO.

63
for its and

fecond, S. Michael

the the

Archangel,remarkable
third,S. Vincent, deacon
which the
was

purityand
martyr, with
when he be

dignity ;
was

the mill-ftone thrown into his

tied

to

his

body
laft is

fea, that

the the

faithful

might
an

deprived of
S. Thomas

admirable Beato

holy relics ;" and Aquinas.2

convent

Angelico paintedfor the church fecond picture, at the Gefu. now a the Annunciation, a fubjecl he was
It
was

of

his

own

It reprefents fo fond of

repeating.
Chriftian

his

Ave

Maria, that prayer

becaufe mother of God and

every

loves

fo
was

much,
made for it,

it recalls the words*

men.

whereby Mary
"

When

fhe

heard
me

the firft time, from conceived

the

lips
her

of

Gabriel,
S. Vincent
is

immediately
his

within

with reprefented, door he

to

mill-ftone

and

the

raven

which

defended

his
9

body, ["
In

on

the fine fouth fix compartments

of Chartres

cathedral.
the

painted eight hiftories of

time, by way
of

life of

the

Saint duced introof

(Dominic) ;
fome
the

and, from

time

epifodes to
far from

that

epic, he

of faints,which, little figures graceful

to

the unity violating

fubje6t,tend

heighten the beauty

wound

and

perfectionof the entire compofition.

in

Firft, there

is S. Peter, Martyr, the

he

whofe

head
comes

and

breaft

tells how
in

generoufly
which he

laid down
two

his

life for the

"

faith ; then firft is the

to

the

compartment Honorius
dreamt

executed

hiftories

the

vifion of
the
new

Pope

[read
that

Innocent] III., who,

he faw
the Lateran

after

having refufed
and falling, of

fan"ion

Order,

Bafilica

S. Dominic

it ; fuftaining

the fecond

is,

S. Dominic

meeting
and of

S. Francis embrace. which

who, Aflifi,
fecond

recognizingeach
cell,and
In the

other

by

Divine

revelation,kneel
into two parts,
one

The

compartment,
poor

is divided like the firft,

reprefents the
both

the other
we

the oratory of fee S. Dominic

the faint. The before

the

in perfpeftive

is admirable.

oratory from

altar, in exftacy receiving the

fend
him

gofpelsand
of

ftaff

Saints One
of

Peter and
the
on

Paul, who

forth
this
to

to

evangelizepeoplesand
is that
a

nations.

mod his of

charming figuresin
mifiion the
in obedience

compofition
command

who, friar,
on

fetting out
the
comes

the

of

his

fuperior,paufes apparition.
Next

threfhold
a

cell to

fteal

glance at

this wonderful

beautiful
In the

little figure of
third

S. Michael there
are

the

airy,and Archangel, light,

hiftories ; in
and in the the

full

of

grace.

compartment

alfo two

he firft,
the

S. reprefents ordeal
of

minic Do-

difputingwith
which
he

the

Albigeois ;

fecond

fire, in
book

depicts the aftonifhment

of the Saint's

adverfaries, on

feeing their

64
moft time the
at

FIRST

WORKS

OF

pure the

womb mouth her

the Word of
man

of

God
to

and

now

every

repeats

her

thofe

words,

iignalof
the

her maternity, of
on a

heart which
all

thrills with
never

joy
its filled

recollection
nor

moment

had

like in heaven with The her

earth,and
Cortona

is eternity

happinefs."1
at

Annunciation of the
old

reminds

us

larly particua

mafters.

The

Virgin

is

on

throne croifed

covered upon

with

rich

her breaffc.

are drapery, and her arms An with golden hair angel2

advances S.

towards
"

her, and
tibi :" the

his hands

fhow

the te,

text et

of

Luke,

Sandfus fuperveniet in Spiritus

"

virtus
come

Altiffimi
upon
over-

obumbrabit

The

Holy
of the

Ghoft Moil

fhall

thee, and

power

High
Saint

fhall

bum

and

his
at

unfcathed.

In

the

pi6lure of the
the

the refufcitating

young

Napoleone
the
to

Rome,
mother

he
near

carried out faithfully the dead

idea of Niccola
to

Pifano, and
call back I
am

placed
her fon

affli"ed life. Then

body, imploring the Saint

a

follows

the

figureof
the

painted. martyr, beautifully

we

ignorant,
and

however,
that the

of the

fubject. By

dalmatic

know

that

he

is

holy deacon,
of
here

heavy weight fufpended from

his neck

defcribes

the

mode

his death. he

He

produced

only Holy
food.

one

hiftory

in

the
at

compartment
table
with his

that

follows ; and
and

reprefents the bringing this,in

borne
the them

Founder
In the

feated laft he

brethren,
of the

the

angels
and

painted the death

others.

holy patriarch ;
has been children
arms

my

judgment,

excels of of
the them

all the Eternal

The

holy

foul

already
furround heaven

into the bofom

by angels;

his bereaved

lifelefs body ; fome of

kifs his

hands, others raife their

on

to

fome whilft This

a

them,

almoft

petrified by
to

fix their eyes grief, tears, raife their

every heart. All in

his

beloved
to

features ; their eyes.

others, unable
is
a

reftrain
to

their

garments
The

work

calculated

awaken

piety in
of
moft

aftual gradino has

hiftories
are

moft

gracefulfigure of defigned and by Median,

de Saint the

S. Thomas
and
are

Aquino. fimple

thefe their

fully beauti"

coloured,

compofitions."

Mar-

chese,
1

vol. i, p. 182.

"

Translator's

note.]

Vie

Dominique, par
of this

le R. P. Lacordaire, p. 332. is a
;
nor

"

[" In
in the

wings

angel there
fame
find

of gold and colouring pled unexamprofufion

other

pi"ures
that much

of the
we

does
the

the

drapery of
Fra

this

figuredeferve
works.

fo much

as praife

which

in

of generality confufed."
"

Giovanni's

Here, indeed,
vol. i, p. 184.
"

it is too

elaborated

and

Marchese,

by Meehan,

Translator's

note.]

BEATO

JNGELICO.

65
"

fhadow Domini ufe of

thee." :"
"

The the

Virgin anfwers,
handmaid field of barbarous
a

Ecce Lord."

ancilla

Behold

of the

This

on infcriptions as
a

the of

pictureis regarded
times of
to ;

by many however,
but will

cuftom moft fhock the

it exifted, Greek art, the

in

the

glorious epochs
thofe who feek

always
than

addrefs

fenfes rather of

foul,and place all

combinations

the

perfection

paintingin
The fcene

the

knowing
place
and

of lines and

colours. takes under

a a

fmall

porticowith
feen
an

graceful little pillars.In angel driving Adam

who are paradife, them. Bringing frequent in the the caufe and
nature
;
our

vifta,is landfcape
out

Eve in the

of

the God

terreftrial made for very

clothed thefe middle

manner

drefs

two

fubjectstogether was
ages, of
our us

becaufe

it

explained
Our bidden for-

mother

by
fruit

ruined mother

redemption. by gathering the

has it is faved
us

by
fruit. the

grace

by

acceptingthe redeeming
to

She

who,

ing accord-

the

promife, crufhes
of this

The
It

gradino

head. tempter-ferpent's picture is alfo at the Gefu.

the

the reprefents into feven

hifloryof
the
a

Holy Virgin, and

with thefe S. This Anne

is

divided
1.

compartments,

fubjects.
herfelf
is

The

Nativity of
the infant
to

Virgin.
midwife.

conhgns damaged.
2.

picture
S.

The fcene

Marriage
takes

of

the
a

Virgin

and

The is

place at
art.

city-gate ;

the

Jofeph. high prieft

able remark-

uniting the efpoufed.

as a

This

picture is

very

work

of

S.
women

beautiful

ftyle.

The

is in a Jofeph, particularly, accompanying the Virgin

66

FIRST

WORKS

OF

are

draped
S.

before

grouped perfectly.The Jofeph exprefs their joy by

and Vifitation. The

men

placed
and

dance

fong.
3. The

Virgin
other.
between

and Two

S. Elizabeth
women

each embrace reverentially at the interview are prefent One

only

the bleffed mothers.

contemplatesit from the threshold of the houfe, the other, kneeling in the road, raifes her arms to and givesthanks for this joyfulmyftery. The heaven the moft of remarkable by our landfcape is one who was by the pure and peaceful infpired painter, fpotsof
4.

Umbria. Adoration of the

composition is one of rapturous Simplicity.S. Jofeph is fpeaking tionately with the oldefr of the three Magian kings,and affechands. prefTes the Purification. The clafps aged Simeon 5. The The his heart. Infant to Virgin frretches out her Behind hands to him. her, S. Jofeph is carryingtwo is little doves ; on the other fide,the prophetefs Anna devoutlyadvancing. the Golden 6. The Burial of the Virgin, as Legend fo poetically relates it. 7. The Virgin givesthe habit of the Friar-Preachers the BlefTed Reginald.1 The artift has thus bound to up the hiftoryof the Virgin with that of his Order, thinks this of which fhe is the patronefs.Marchefe dently picturedid not form part of the gradino; but it evithan thofe does belong to it. It is narrower
The

Magi.

This

before formed

it,and
the

of the

fame

iize

as

the

of firft,

which

it

pendant.
1

Three

of thefe
p. 443.

charming

little

Fie

de S.

Dominique,

BEATO

ANGEL

ICO.

67
are

the fecond, fourth, and pictures,

in the

fixth

found

alio

of gallery feel how the

a

the

Uffizi,at Florence.
the indications
we are

We

incompleteare
earlieft works

givingof
defcribe

of Beato

Angelico. To
words

becaufe picture is always difficult, As for the pencil reprefents. ill exprefswhat of making the artifts, however, there is a means of their

other refult

underftood, and criticifm may infpiration of their talent ; but analyze the peculiarqualities Beato Angelico is not a painter only,he is alfo a faint. How tell celeftial muiic, which earthlyinftruments ? An engraving could not yield or a even copy leaves faint mult be of our The for. much to wifh pictures underfeen,and feeingthem, we feel that we mould ourfelves better. ftand them we better, were They which like thofe pages of the Gofpel, are proportion of the heart. the intensity of their light to the purity artifts to love and ftudy Our purpofeis to infpire the works of Beato Angelico. Shall we gain it ? Will efforts be fruitlefs ? not our Many pafsbefore thefe and if they Hop for with indifference, pious pictures an inftant,fafcinated by a myfteriousattraction, they
foon make
"

off the

fecret call of

and virtue,

go

away is

faying, It is myftic painting."Yes, but And ? why cannot myftic painting every one
nor

what do

it,

even

underftand is
a

it ?

becaufe there is a myftic myfticpainting, life and a myftic fcience. Art only gives what the fees only what exifts. By fees, and the fpirit fpirit has relation with two his foul and body, man worlds, There the vilible world and the invisible world his
;

and

he can, either

by

his

will, place the

of activity

life in
f

68

FIRST

WORKS

OF

of them. in
even

If he

choofes

the

vifible

world, and

feeks

matter

the
his

by
he

of gratification defcend intellect, unknown the

his fenfes below it.

only,he may, the brute, and

the feeks
trary, con-

fall into

exceffes choofes

to

If, on
and

invilible he may

world,

God,

his

beginningand end,
and
two

earth,
Thefe

let

his

lives fo world of
man,

The brutifhnefs crimes the

difengagehimfelf from in higher regions. foul breathe different lead to oppofite mena. phenothofe produced by the perceives
becaufe there
are

infamies

and

which defend itfelf; but it is obliged to againft becaufe it life of the foul efcapes it, fupernatural
a

But what matters fpherenot its own. truth,as nothingignorance? It is as powerlefs againft nefs is againft and modern Being. Myftic facts exift, fcience will be forced,one day,to ftudy them, in order
to
are

is fulfilled in

underftand

matter

itfelf. folved

Form,

motion the

and

life

problems not to be of a fpiritual power.

without

tion interven-

Myfticifm is
union Solomon has

the interior life of the

Church,

its intimate which of its

with made

the unfpeakable love Chrift, known

to
us

in the Lord his

Canticle loved
was

Canticles.

The

and Evangelift
on

whom difciple and, Apoftle, bofom have We of his

our

fince

bleffed

the

facred who

Mafter, there have

thefe Beato
us

repofe always
tafted

been divine this charm But

fouls

enjoyed
doubt it
not

familiarities and

carefTes.

Angel ico
the

and happinefs,

explainsto

myfterious

diffufed you

over

all his works.

will

ftate of the of
art

this higher life, fay,this fupernatural the developto foul,is it not a hindrance ment ? Is it not oppofed to the realization of

70

FIRST

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

underftand with God

and their

love Father.
men

each

other,

becaufe

they

converfe

Poor the in

ignorant
of
we

You

believe and

that

you

have
that think

monopoly loving
you the be duft upon in God fee

artiftic
cannot

enjoyments,
love becaufe To of which in
a

imagine
! its You

His

works you fee

that
on

the around

light,
you.

reflection need
we

contemplate

it, we
There

to

the its

mountain

holy
we

life.

are

bathed

fplendour,
the and the of of little than

fee

filling vail

zons, hori-

rejoicing
to

eagle

the the fhed

air, giving

ftrength drawing
its heat !

the

cedars from flower

more

fertilityto
ocean,
to

plains, and
them Artiftic of it
on

dew-drops
upon There the
are

with

the them flower in

prairies.
in the
to

enjoyments
the

heart copy

monk,

who of

gathers
his

that

the

margin
and

manufcript,
Of what

all
are

your all
not

refearches your love

learned your ? To

works.

good
you is the

refearches,
its Author without of
;

analyfes,
know Blind

if in

nature

do
to

without flaves the is !

loving,
Under

pofTefs

enjoying.
you
are

mill-ftone of fcience You will

ftudy,
the pure

grinding
from works of love you God it
are

good

grain
for

wheat your

referved
monuments

love. which

believe

that the

protect
will

memory thofe who

and
to

they
love

are

fteps
more.

which

aid

Him

Chap

per

V.

RETURN EXECUTED OF

TO

THE AT
B.

CONSENT THAT

AT PERIOD."

FIESOLE."

PAINTINGS

THE LOUVRE.

CORONATION

THE

VIRGIN,

IN

THE

(141 8-1436.)

HE dear deed
two

exiles

of Fiefole But

fighed
the
an

after their

retreat.

foundationabfence
them
;

purported
months all

that

of
to

mould the

caufe
convent

lofe thus in Dominici

to

right to
found

and

they
the of

many Beato who of

difficulties Giovanni confented

a

re-entering it.

took
return

fteps with by
the way
was

bifhop,
a

their

fet-off
out

hundred

ducats. inheritance Providence

This

fet-off

paid
S. there merchant

of

the
at

paternal
this
to

which
did
:

fell
not
a

to

Antoninus

time.
the queathed be-

ftop
rich
of

with
of

regard
Florence

Friar-Preachers them

fum in

fix thoufand

and florins, in

they
the

employed
convent.

it,not

embellifhing, but
Fiefole is of

enlarging
moft

The

mountain

of

one

the

beau-

72
tiful of

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

thofe

which

fhelter A

the

valley of

the
once

Arno
pied occu-

the againft

north
;

winds. but

town powerful

its fummit
one

overcame Florence, its rival,

it,

day, and
and
and

left

Rich

wooded

nothing but ruins and hills ftoreythe fides

declivities watered Athens

recollections.
of the
tain, moun-

their loweft
at

by
of

the

Mugmiddle

none

end On

the

gates of the
fide rife the

the

ages. the

every of

Platonifts

the divine the

teachingof
the

which to magnificent villas, Renaiffance to repaired, forget the Gofpel, beneath and renew, converfations of the

beautiful

fhades, the learned

gardens of
The
convent

Academy.
of S. Domenico of Fiefole is built about

The church the midway up the mountain. opens on and attracts the wayfarerby its pure and high-road, like the fountains which fimple architecture, formerly offered a feat and limpid water the weary traveller. to The with buildings all and cloifters, apfeis furrounded protectedby a filent valley. Their quiet lines and fo recall the Francifcan fimple difpofition convents, full of Nothing is finer for the peace and lowlinefs. foul than thofe palaces of poverty, the long corridors, the walls without fweet
tence.

ornament, with
a

the little windows, and

the

lightmeeting
The

holy image

or

pious fencells is like

ray of the fun

Jacob's ladder;

angels are
and prayer Beato

the penetrating palling up and between God

down,
man.

to

exchange
of his made He
as

grace

and

In this convent, and life, it believed

the Angelico paffed

beft years have

his

executed mafterpieces
was

there native da

that folitude

his Giovanni

place.
Fiefole,
he

might
S. Louis

have

figned himfelf ufed to fign Louis

Fra
de

PohTy

for there

THE

CONVENT

AT

FIESOLE.

73
the moft

was

born

to

and life, religious of heaven. of the and

had He

received lived

preciousfavours
there under and in the

the fhadow

eighteenyears amidft his brethren, altar,

joys of
believes

prayer

ecftafy.
artift in the for the world ! fine-arts
career.

How He has He who

different is the he

life of the
a

has

vocation

magnificent hopes at

the

beginning of

his

where he will contemto plate a afpires higher fphere, He fupreme beauty and reflect it in his works. hails from afar thofe enjoyments, the glory of pure which is but towards
a

fet-off. the

He

rufhes future
;

with

ardour

ward for-

brilliant

obftacles, privations,
and

fatigue, nothing arrefts him, enthuflafm of youth, he overcomes

the robe firff.fludies. of But when he had he has

with

all the

of difficulty put on the manly

enter

the

talent, when
life which often he

muff

needs

into

the

public
fad

dreamed himfelf with in the

he glorious,

finds
meets

reality. He

independent and the prefenceof a world's injufflces,

of

perfidiousenvy,

and

the

flupid encouragements

his boundtrouble to ignorance. Difquietude comes lefs hopes,and need like a fog, the diftant intercepts, him. had When milled the light of glory which artift is alone, he may flruggleyet, and prolong his dream has eyes
a

but

if he
to

has

united

wife

to

his

lot, if he
his

family
hand

maintain,
it is

his
no

heart

trembles,
the

are

troubled, and
is

longer
He

palm, but
to

bread, his
fice his endure

afking for.

will have

facri-

of thofe that pay, taftes,undergo the caprices their

contumely, and

handicraft received

the from

holy
heaven.

mifflon

exchange for a lucrative he thought he had which

74
In

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

hapconditions for working out his noble deftiny. He pieft enjoys a profound peace, and there is nothing perfonal in his ambition. He feeks beauty in the love of Him who is its beginning ; and all around puts far from him what might trouble the contemplationof it. His
a

convent,

on

the contrary, the artift finds the

with a protect him triplerampart : chaftity him defends would againft the paffionswhich fully the purity of his foul ; poverty fhelters him diffrom arrefts difcouragequietude of life ; and obedience him and makes His ftrong againft himfelf. ment, flows away, peaceable and orderlyas a brook exiftence
vows

enclofed

in

marble its

conduit

that

it may the

not

lead
waters

a-wandering over
deftined is
a

flowery banks
of He Can affection of the feeks he
not
even

valued For

for
a

the

ornament

city.

him,
of

art

fong,
of he

prayer. the world. the

the

and praifes them and

honours when

think his

enjoys
the the

of ?

brethren,

hopes for
Such

rewards

heaven
Beato

was

life of

Angelico,and
were,

his years

paffedin
the

the

convent

of the

Fiefole

without

doubt,

thirtyto fifty of his years in his age, the artift is in all the activity the fap is lefs vigorous, mind and talent; afterwards and more flowlyfruitful in new works. To this period,
muft attribute the

fweeteft

and

richeft.

From

doubtlefs,we

greater number

of

our

pictures; for his laft years were painter's occupied in paintingthe frefcoes in San Marco and efpecially the Vatican. Glory came earlyto vifit his retreat, and his hand. would have pictures from He one every Vafari has preferred refufed no this pleafing one ; and

THE

CONSENT

AT

FIESOLE.

J$
I will

anlwer,
do

"

Obtain may

the Prior's

confent,and
It
are

always
us

what

pleafeyou."1
them facts the
:

is difficult for
not

to

which thefe pictures, :laffify examine leverthelefs, ourfelves

we all,

dated.

We

will,
of

in and

certain

order, aiding
Firft for the before

by
of
at

fome

documents. executed them

will

fpeak of
Fiefole

he paintings mull have

convent

he

done

they have a great refemand Perugia. blance to thofe of Cortona in frefco ; one Beato Angelico did two for paintings the other for the chapter-room,which the refectory, the afterwards became hofpice for ftrangers. The frefco in the refectory Lord our crucified, reprefents the and Holy Virgin, S. John the Evangelift and S. Dominic, kneeling at the foot of the Crofs. The compohtion is fimple and grave ; its execution mull have been remarkable,judging by the portions which have efcaped the reftoration made, in 1566, by one
he dwelt

Florence, and

Francefco

Mariani.2 the
room

The feet and

heads

and

hands

are

frill

beautiful,but
much.
a

The

in which and

draperies have fuffered this paintingis, ferves as

ftore for greens

1 "

garden-tools.3
opre

Con

amorevolezza

ogniuno che ricercava

da lui,diceva, che

ne

facefle
"

efier contento

il Priore, ed
of

egli fempre

farebbe

cofa, che

gli foffe

in

piacere.

(Vasari,
2

edition

1550.)
fol. 164. of Fiefole,
modo

Chron.

of S. Domenico
Reftaurata

Similiter
eft

pinxit aliquasfiguras hie

And

Fefulis in refeftorio, in

veteri quod capitulo

hofpitium fecularium.
qua Crucifixi artis

fol. 10.
et

eft etiam

refe"orii,in pifturaipfius
Haec
de omnia

imagines,
Francifcus libras fexa-

beatae Virginis ac

beati Joannis vifuntur.

et

quae

picloriae funt,

faciebat

juvenis, peritiffimus
de R.

qui
autem

magnam

fe

fpem excitavit,
prior ipfe ven.

Mariani

Florentia.
P. F.

Expofuit

in his omnibus amicorum

ginta ex

Angeli Diaceti
front

etaliorum

elemofinas.

"

(P. Marchese, (life fize),

:

lib. ii,c. 5, p.

232.)
wall of
one

["On
with the

the

the

refecloryhe
S.

painted
the

Crucifixion

Blefied

Virgin on

fide,and

John

Evangelifton

the other

at

j6
The cafe in

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

fecond
a

frefco

is

now

leen

at

the top of

ftair-

the Virgin on dwelling. It reprefents private her knees her Son, whom her throne, holding on a her rightand left,are On portionof her veil covers. and S. Thomas S. Dominic Aquinas,with open books. The of the Virgin,althoughit is very beautiful, head have been retouched feems to by a painter of Perudi Credi.1 time, perhaps by Lorenzo gino's
the this
cannot

foot laft

of

the

Crofs, kneeling,and
to

feen been

from

from

behind,
at a

is S. Dominic

; but We of the of

figure feems

have

have

introduced

fubfequentpeiiod.
as painting,

now

appreciate

the

colouring or
undertook

defign of
to

this

the

hand of

fome

very

ignorant perfon,who
of the convent Florentine
a

reftore it,and cancelled

at

the vandalifm
it.

parties who
the

of it, have got pofieffion

all but

The

continuator

Chronicle
a

of S. Domenico Francefco

Fiefole,tells how
in

it

was

reftored

by

young

named artift,

Mariani,

1556; but, heavens,

as

after what efface

fafhion

enlargingthe outlines,and
delicate mezzotints,
in order
to

heighteningthe colours, fo
varied, beautifully
defefts
was

to

thefe altogether
the

thefe lines fo all the

the

and
an

the

of fimplicity when
art
was

drapery,

introduce

to peculiar

age the
this ferred, pre-

in its decadence.
was refeftory

Finally,when
turned the

convent

taken

from
of

the religious,

into

fruit

(lore, to
of

the

great injury
is

painting. Notwithftanding,
as

beauteous Redeemer."

head
"

S. John

admirably

is alfo

the

nude

of the

Marchese,

ly Mcehan,
though
the bed
as

vol. i,

p. 193.
1

"

Translator's
But the

note.]
that he

["
very the

hiftory

painted
the

in
to

the be

chapter-room,
clafied amongft

known works
in is the

to

few,

is well

and preferved,

deferves

of

Angelico.
white
On

Here

he

painted
Divine
our

Bleffed
on

Virgin feated, and,

knees.
and
on

holding the Perugian picture,

but
over

Babe

her head

The bofom
the

Infant

nude,

the

veil
her

that

covers

Lady's
The
to this
a

falls

gracefully
of Friars with
a a

Him.
;

right
an

is S.

Dominic,
book.

(landing ;
Founder

left,S. Thomas

Aquino

both of

having

open

of

the

Preaching
covered
"

(a

mode

him reprefenting and

unufual
hand
to

painter) has
of

his chin his

flowing beard,

holds well

in his

the emblem lily,

devout in the

virginity

(Imple

compofition,and
of the
or more

calculated

awaken

in the feelings

fpe6lator. Few
countenances,
this of

works Angelico's

prefentmore
the

beauty
and

of expreflion

the

negligence in
; and

extremities

than acceflbries, neceffary

does.

The and
are

type of the Virgin is perhaps lefs ideal than

Pietro Perugino almofl forced
are

ufual ; it reminds fuch

us

Raffaello
we

it is down

imprefiedwith
and

beauty

and

majefly,that
image.
fully Wonderof S. Thomas fooner

to kneel

worfhip

in and

prefenceof that
the But

beautiful
the mod

the in

faces of
its

S. Dominic
and

Infant ; that
we
no

is

beautiful the

defign
of thefe

colouring.
the

fet about
we are

examining

extremities

and figures,

folds of the

than drapery,

78
her Divine and and

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

Son, having

on

one

fide S. Peter
on

the

Apoftle
in

S. Thomas S. Peter

Aquinas, and

the other

S. Dominic

adoration.

Martyr : in the foreground,angelsare this comand dignity, By its fimplicity

of Giotto. it is the Alleluia

politionrecalls the great fchool Vafari's eulogy ; gradino juftifies

the refurrection into with three of
our

The
of

Saviour.

The

fubjectis

divided

In the centre, Chrift rifes compartments. of angels his victorious ftandard; a multitude

furround

him,

and his

appear

to

carry him all the On

on

buckler the found

they announce
of trumpets crowd of

glory to

world,
each

to

and

inftruments.

fide,a great

triumph. It is difficult to conceive a more lyric compoiition. The fecond Annunciation. an picture reprefented In the chapel of the fame church," faysVafari, is the fame from a hand, reprefenting our picture Lady from the angel Gabriel, receivingthe annunciation fo devout, fo delicate, with a countenance in profile and fo well executed, that it appears truly not by man, in paradife.In the landfcape but to have been made and Eve, who were forming the background, are Adam incarnation the occafion of the Redeemer's by the likewife fome are Virgin. In the predella extremely This beautiful little hiftories."1 which muft picture, refembled the one have very clofely at Cortona, has been loft ; it was partedwith, after two years' tions, negotia" "

faints take

part in the joy of the

to

Mario

Farnefe,for 1500
medefima chiefa
e

ducats, which
in
una

ferved

In

una

cappelladella
dall'

di fua mano,
un

tavola la noftra
tanto

Donna

annunziata

Angelo Gabbriello,
par
e

con

profilo di vifo
uomo,
ma

devoto,

delicato, e ben
E

fatto, che
del
pacre

veramente

non

da

un

fatto che

in

paradifo.

nel

campo

Adamo Nella

ed

Eva,

che

furono fono

cagione

della

Virgine

incarnafle

il Redentore.

predella ancoia

alcune

ftoriette belliflime.

THE

CONSENT

AT

F1ES0LE.

to

and do the wainfcotings to campanile, who has entered The the of the choir. religious, of the convent, gives thanks bargain on the regifters who, after one to God, and to the angelic painter fo great and iixtyyears, has again rendered hundred

rebuild

the

fervice France

to

the convent.1 has the

good
the

fortune church this

to

the poffefs of Fiefole.

"

third Vafari above he

for picture executed himfelf thus exprefTes all the works has
near

about

picture:
one

But

of Fra

Giovanni, and
a

in which fame

is himfelf, furpaffed the door proves

on

picturein
of

the the

church,
In

the

left hand

entrance.

this he
as

The

high qualityof his powers, as well of the art he prac~Hfed. his profound intelligence of the Virgin by Jefus is the Coronation fubjecr.
the the

Chrift: of

figuresare principal

furrounded

by

choir

of faints, male and female. angelsand a vaft number fo well executed, in Thefe figuresare fo numerous, with of counteattitudes fo varied, and nance expreflions that one fo diverfifled, experiencesincredible pleafureand delight in looking at them. Nay, it feems be othercannot as though thefe bleffed fpirits wife in heaven could fpeak more correctly, ; or, to For all the not, if they had forms, appear otherwife. and faints here, male female, have not only life and moft expreflion
1

and trulyrendered,but delicately

come

the
con

Qual

tavola fi confegno
erano

ci

era

ordine

al P. Carlo
B.

Strozzi, infieme
opera

la fua
detto

dove predella,
etc. pittore,
. .

dipinte cinque ftoriette della

Di
tutto

Vergine, tutte
ancora

del

fia lode

onore

al Signore, fi
anni ha

al noftro
con-

Angelico
vento

dal pittore,

quale,dopo l'eta di circa 160

"

fentito il noftro

cotanto

benefizio.

(P. Marchese,
161 1, but
and the
a

t.

i,p. 400.)
copy
are

[This painting was

S.

fold in

of
now

it

was

left in loft.
"

the

church

of

Domenico.

The

original

copy

both

Translator's

note.]

80

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

whole

colouring of executed by the hand

Thus
it

this work of
was a

feems
or

to

have

been like that vanni Gioand fame affirm

me

faint

of

an

angel
reafon Fra

themfelves. this

with been

fufficient

S.

has good religious Angelico. The Dominic adorning

manner

always
of

called
our

hiftories the

Lady

divine that I

and, for
I

predella are in the myfelf,I can in truth

without
ever

never

fee this work

nor

its

to appearing

fomething new,
We do the works of
we

do

leave it fatiated."1 this

we

not, like of Beato

Vafari,rank
The of

paintingabove regard it
as

all
one

Angelico,but

the
are

moft

remarkable.
to

detailed

examination

going

make fincere

will juftify, it, we hope, to of the celebrated

our

readers

the

enthufiafm

critic of the RenahTance. What

was

the

artift's thought? and

How The

has

he

ex-

it with preffed the

his heart

? pencil of the the

pictureis reprefented by be fubjecl can

God,
creature

the Coronation the

more

fubjectof Virgin,fo often

old fchool. and
man :

paintersof

No
to

becaufe
; to

it is the
men,

pleafingto God of His glorification

of

moft.

perfect

becaufe

the moft Beato

fruitful caufe

they find in this triumph their joys and hopes. Thus

Angelico has very often treated it ; but he has almoft always followed tradition, by reprefenting Mary feated the at right of her Son and receiving the from Him crown : it is the triumph of her maternity. Here the fubjeclis treated differently. The age and attitude of the Virgin, the manner of arrangingthe at make fcene, and the faints affifting it,would us
3

E
mi

io per

me

poflbcon
nuova,
ne

verita
me
ne

affermare, che
parto
mai

non

veggio

mai

quefta opera che

non

paia cofa

fazio.

THE

CONFENT

AT

F1ES0LE.

81

has chofen a particular title in painter the litanies fung by the church in praife of Mary, and that he has wifhed to crown her Queen of Virgins. To his idea, his chafte to give expreflion pencil feems
to

believe that the

have

tranflated

the verfes of the Canticle

of

Canticles

explained and
S. Bernard
to

purityby
he chanted the S. Dominic there is
not

and

with fo much paraphrafed S. Thomas Aquinas ; and

no

fet himfelf with

the

work,

doubt, after he
ing commenc-

had

his brethren of
"

the fweet words in the my

office
:
"

the

AiTumption
art

Order

of
and

Thou

all

fair,O

love,

as a are fpot in thee : thy lips dropping honeycomb ; honey and milk are under thy tongue : the odour of thy garments is beyond all fpices. For the winter is now and gone, the the rain is over paiTed, flowers have appeared, the vines in flower yield their fweet fmell, in our and the voice of the turtle is heard from land. Arife, make hafte, my love, and come a

Libanus ceremony

come,

and

thou

malt the

be

crowned."1 the

The

takes The

placebefore
throne

porch of
which
our

heavenly
is
to

Jerufalem.
feat nine faid
art

Mary
unto

is raifed upon choirs of angels. thee

are

of the figurative fteps, The thingswhich have been accomplifhedin thee ; behold, thou
"

upon nine

Lord

exalted above canopy

the choirs ornamented

Gothic

angels." Under a rich with magnificenttapeflry,

of
2 non

Tota

pulchra
et

es, arnica

mea,

et

macula

eft in
tuorum

te

favus diftillans labia

aromata
.-

tua, mel

lac fub
hiems

linguatua,

odor

veftimentorum
et

fuper omnia
vineae

jam

enim
suum

imber tranfiit,

abiit

flores apparuerunt, receffit,

eft in
terra

florentes

odorem arnica
2

dederunt,
et

et vox

turturis audita
;

noftra

Surge, propera,

mea,

veni de funt
in

Libano
te

veni, coronaberis.
di"a
funt tibi ;
ecce

Perfe"a

quae

exaltata

es

fuper cboros

angelorum.
G

82

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

"Chrift

has her

place of
more

the prepared for his moft chafte Mother immortality: it is a feftival incomparably than all the feftivals of the
to

excellent

and faints,"1 all

in it the BlefTed the the

Virgin is

of triumph in prefence holds with both

Our heavenly court. he is going to crown is her

Lord

hands

Mary
with

kneeling before
arms

place on his Mother's head. and him, bending a little,

her breaft. Around the and praifes,

crofTed

upon

throne, four-and-twentyangels ling her

Near them, and upon play on various inftruments. the ftepsof the throne, are arranged the faints of the the New Teftament Old and and : Mofes, David

Apoftles S.

foreground,are faints who have glorified placed two groups of privileged the moft by their example and teaching. virginity All are kneeling,and the polition of their heads and the expreffion of their countenances indicate the
fweeteft If and fee
we

Peter

and

S. Paul.

In the

and feek

pureft joy.
now

to

penetrate the idea

of

the

artift fhall the

to

how

analyze the perfectionof his work, we he has followed clothed and tradition,
his

ancient types with

The in time

angelical individuality. Supreme Artift has created types by realizing, His eternal ideas. and fpace, Thefe types are

ing laws,and manifeft, accordperpetuatedby immutable their kind, the inviftble thingsGod has willed to them make to fay. Man and alfo
creates

types.

He of

focial ideas

by

works

his religious exprefles generations art, which

caftifiimae fan"orum Matri
immor-

Afcendit

Chriftus

suae fuper ccelos, et praeparavit

talitatis locum.

Et haec eft ilia praeclaia omnium feftivitas,

feftivitatibus

incomparabilis.

THE

CONTENT

JT.FIESOLE.

$$ Genius,
firft

understand

and

tranfmit does
to

to

each

other. but

thefe types, realizing of his age, and

come

nothing
it
a

give the
thofe

belief who its the

renders

form, which

after

eifential

modify, but without changing in character,which remains invariable, as

may Divine
art

of lpecies

creation. created

Pagan
Greece

has

types for

all

and religions,

had remarkable Its poets, ones. efpecially the Divine butes attripainters and fculptors perfonified which they faw reflected in nature. They deified the effects of the Firft
to

Caufe, and

endeavoured

exprefsHis
human
an

power,

and wifdom, intelligence

by
were

forms.

All their
a

belief,ideas
Error their had

and

beauty, paffions
the
to

image,
for the

type.
horizon.
to

narrowed

field of truth
fill

them, but

up

limited the

genius knew how Phidias was worthy

of

Plato,and

artift rofe
was

the

height of
the

the

philoand

fopher.
For

There

balance

between

interior

the exterior

form. balance fo is, have

to to

this Chriftians,
are

fay,impoffible, give. Supreme and rendering it

infinite and horizon

fo fublime

the ideas
on

they

Truth, by defcending
has fertile,
to

the earth
an

opened
be

an

immenfe,

the

fine-arts. muft

Between

Chriftian of truth

Pagan types
error.

there

the diftance has fixed

and

Thefe
and
wor-

types the Church

by

her

doctrine been

fhip,and
clothe
know

for

many

ages

artifts have It is not

them

with

their form.

if thefe artifts have of the ancients

;
we

equalledthe fay only that

thofe of

feeking to the queftion to material perfection the models they

the

have

to

give are

to fuperior

Greeks, and
G 2

84
that the

BEATO

ANGL1C0

RETURNS

TO

Gofpel

calls

them

to

progrefswithout

bounds.

fupreme type of Chriftian art is Jefus Chrift, the perfectimage of God, the fplendour of the Father ; burft forth on the a beauty inexpreffible, ray of which fweet andravifhing, day of the transfiguration ; beauty fo the veil covering it in the Incarnation, notwithftanding that it was take away its fenfible prefence to necefTary from the Apoftles the enjoyment becaufe and difciples, would have rendered virtue too eafy,and the happinefs of it is referved for eternity. After Chrift, comes Mary, the type of all graces virtues : Mary, the pureft mirror and of the divinity : Virgin,Spoufe, and above all Mother, carrying thefe titles as a triple the higheft and indivisible crown to
heavens.

The

Angels eflay to
of multitude New

alfo

have under

put
human

on

bodies, and
forms the

artifts may tions functhe and

give
their of

fublime
come

different male faints,

hierarchies.
and

Then the

female, of
with their

Old

prefencethe fucceffion of ages, and to us being united by the in the bofom Church of their eternity : the patriarchs, all thofe living prophets,martyrs, confefibrs, virgins, beauties that the artift can contemplate and invoke of infpi rations ocean by the light of faith : inexhauftible with the for thofe who themfelves do not fatisfy grofsindividualities which are infults to truth. be realized by one cannot Types fo perfecl: fingle artift : ages work flowly at them, and the firft duty of him who wifhes tradition. is to confult to give them

Teftament, lightingup

86

BEJTO

ANGEL1C0

RETURNS

TO

underftand of which It

what

S. Thomas

faid of her

the purified is, indeed,the dove up

fenfes inftead of of the Canticle

as a

beauty,the light them. difturbing

of that Canticles,

of lightcloud of fmoke myrrh, frankincenfe and the fweetefi: perfumes.1 Rich hide the fhape of her body, and allow her garments face and hands alone to appear, the only parts of her moft being which man's eye had feen. She is pure bowed her Son, her eyes caft towards kneeling, fweetly

goeth

by

the

defert

down,
her
down

and

her

arms

croffed upon
a crown

her breafl. with

Her

hair is

and arranged as platted head upon is covered her neck

;

with and
covers a

charming grace ; veil falling a tranfparent falls mantle richly-fringed

her feet. A
"

from
and

her fhoulders

and

more

chafte

be imagined. cannot heavenlyfigure But the genius of our fhines moftly in his painter types of the angels. It is very difficult to clothe the blefTed fpirits with a body ; and there are, perhaps, no Chriftian fubjeelsmore unworthily profaned by the RenahTance. The old fchools had reprefented angels fuch as they At one time, appear to us in the Bible. with their bodies of the prophets, they are the cherubim of flame and their wings to veil themfelves before the Eternal ; at another time, the angels of Abraham, of Jacob and Tobias, clad in the fhape of youth, to vifit and bring them mefTagesfrom on high. This type men in the fchool of Giotto,who alwaysknew how, prevailed the elegance of their fhape and the length of defpite feminine their robe, to preferve his angels from a character. Beato Angelico has imitated the angelsof
1

Quae
et

eft

ifta,quae

alcendit

per

defertum,

iicut
"

virgulafumi 6.) {Cant, iii,

ex

aromatibus

myirhae

thuris,et

univerfi

? pulverispigmentarii

THE

CONSENT

AT

FIESOLE.

Giotto, but

he
a

has
more

made

them

younger,

in order

to

virginalbeauty. They are not infants like thofe of the fchool of Perugino : that age does not fufficiently the zeal and intelligence of exprefs give
them thofe of minifters of God. the life when

unruffled fincerity, the of the Queen of coronation at angels aififling Virgins are the pages of the heavenlycourt ; their whole being exprefTes If nature and love. intelligence has been confulted in paintingthem, the artift has it ; but it is more altogether fpiritualized probable, as Vafari thinks, that he copied his gracefulmodels by the lightof his ecftacies. Thefe angels are twenty-four in number. They recall thofe that are celebratingthe Triumph of S. Francis
on

They are youths,at that time expanding heart is all light and by the breath of the paffions.The

the

arch in

of

the

lower

church tunics above

at

Affiii. veil heads. and

nounce an-

They
their The

are

clothed
a

embroidered fhines

which their

feet;
moft
on

little flame
are

diftant every
are

founding

the trumpet,

fide the

coronation

of their Queen themfelves

the neareft
on

ringing and
So

accompanying
fweet is their

various fo the

inflruments.

expreffion
the

and

eye

their attitude, that they exprefs to graceful charm of their heavenly harmony. choice of the faints Beato in
at this afTrffing Angelico has written

The

fefrival muft their

names

be remarked. and The

glorioustitles
Old Testament the

the

aureolas

of

fome

of them. and

is reprefented by Mofes the

el

David,
fervant

the law and of

prophets. Mofes, Dei famulus God, fanclus Mo'ifes

the frar
come

chofen

plates eleclus, contem-

forth from

Jacob,

the

woman

who

88

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

crufhed David who the is

the

head ferpent's honour fit

at

hails the

going to
Mofes

the

fin. by efcapingoriginal the Queen of his pofterity, righthand of the Saviour, in the

gold of

her veftments
and

and

varietyof
S. John

her attire.1 the Baptist,

After

David,

comes

of Chrift, Johannes precurfor the link between the Bleffed the old and

Domini, precurfor Baptijla,

new

law, the

man

vifited

by

died at the Virgin before his birth who of Herod in defendingchaftity. Afterwards court come the Apoftles, having at their head S. Peter,doorkeeper of the kingdom of heaven,fanclus Petrus claviger regni ccelorum S. Paul, doctor of the Gentiles, confiitutus ; and

fanclus Paulus,
have S. Bartholomew S.

doctor

Gentilium
and
;

vocitatus.

Both
;
;

their traditional emblems

;

places.S.
; ;

Andrew

S. James
; to

S. Simon

S. Matthias S.
to

Philip ;
;

S. Thaddeus neareft

S. Matthew throne

James the

the

Greater S.

and

the

and

angels,

John

the

the Evangelift,

well-beloved

of God, difciple

fanclus Johannes
the apoftle, who with faw the

dileclus Deo, the virginevangelifta, adopted fon of Mary, the gentleold man, her her who is clothed
a

in Patmos
moon

with

the

fun,

under

feet,and throne,

crown

of twelve

her head.2 ftars upon the right of the On

below

S. John

the

placed S. Dominic, the of the Order cherifhed founder by the Bleffed Virgin, ns holding the fpotlefs lilyof virginity, fine conferva
macula

Evangelift, the

artift has

lilium. lirginitatis

Beato

Angelicohas painted
deaurato,
circumdata varietate.
"

Aftitit

regina

dextris

tuis

in

veftitu

[Ps. xliv,9.)
2

Mulier
"

amicta

et luna l'ole,

fub

pedibus ejus, et

in

capiteejus corona

flellarum

duodecim.

(Apoc, xii, 1.)

THE

CONVENT

AT

FIESOLE.

89
He has written faithful him for
to
an

the upon

with glorious patriarch his open three

filiallove.
a

book,

as

promife

to

be

them, the

recommendations
"

left

by

Have : heritageto his difciples charity, keep humility, poffefs voluntary poverty ;" then he has added the O wondrous day in his Order : hope, which thou gaveft to thofe that wept for thee at the hour of death,when thou didft promife after death to do thy brethren good. Father, fulfilwhat thou haft prayer recited
"

every

and help us laid,

by thy prayers : thou who haft fhone by fo many flgnswrought on the bodies of the lick, bring us the help of Chrift to heal our ftckly ways."1
Near S. Dominic follow. is S. He

Auguftin, whofe
holds in his hand

rule the Friarthe pen with grace.

Preachers which At

he celebrated the foot of

fo well the wonders the and fteps,

on

of divine the fame

fide,are

of Orders: S. Benedict, kneeling other founders S. Anthony, S. Francis,and perhapsS. Bernard, whofe In the foreground,S. Louis, with figure is not feen. his is
crown

of .fleurs-de-lis.2

The

presence

of S. Louis

eafily explainedby his tender devotion to the Holy with the Friar-Preachers, and by his connection Virgin,
1

Charitatem
"

habete, humilitatem
miram quam

fervate, paupertatem
hora
te

voluntariam

poflemortem

dete.

fpem

dedifti, mortis

dum flentibus,

poll

te profuturum promififti

fratribus.

Imple, Pater, quod

dixifti,nos

tuis juvans,
ferens

precibus ; qui aegrismedere

3

tot

claruifti fignis

in aegrorum

corporibus, nobis opem

Chrifli

moribus.
to

Schlegelwifhed
to

fee in this

perfonagea
and

S.

Charlemagne,
to

and

has

explained
cultus

even

the

three

littlecrowns

ferving for ornament

the

his

mantle,

by

his threefold The of

title as

Emperor,
has

King
never

of

Franks

King
hands

of The of

the

Lombards.

Charlemagne
fents the
his

been

accepted in Italy.
from the the

Golden
the

Legend only
him

repreof

great emperor

delivered
; and

devil, in coniideration
to
us

pious foundations
of purgatory,

monk

Vetin,
the

in his

fhows vifion,

in the

flames
too

being

from purified

of the pleafures

flefh which

he loved

well.

90

BEJTO

ANGEL1C0

RETURNS

TO

his confefTors of S.

and

friends.
and

He

was

of the Third with

Order

Dominic,1
whom has

very often

intimate invited
to

S. Thomas Beato the

Aquinas, Angelico

he

his table.

him reprefented who he feems

to

converting with
to explaining

Doctor, angelic king the fcene

S. Thomas Te
Deum.

be

the

holy
book

contemplates. written the are carries,

is S.

In

the

open

firft verfes

of

the

Near

this group, his

Nicholas,

the

protector of placed
three

purity. At to gold balls,

houfe from

knees, the

painter has

recall the three

of the poor fedu6tion. with

ornamented

purfeshe threw into the nobleman his daughters to preferve chafuble The coftly of the bifhop is which a large figured band, on are

fome features of our life. Thefe Lord's reprefented of iketches are paintedwith an afronifhingfreedom pencil. They feem done after the picturesby Giotto, in the Academy of Florence. preferved the oppofitefide,is a group of female On faints, and and pure whose are as figures expreffions poetical their legends. They are feparated from the Apostles as the left of the throne on faints, by feveral young of virginity.S. Peter Martyr, patrons and defenders his head the bathed with
in

the

blood
at

with
moment

which

he writes he gave up

words, Credo

Deum,

the

his laft breath. faves S. of

a

S.

virginfrom
and S.
and

George, the the fangs of

Lawrence,
Weflern
and charity
author
;

Chriilian the
two

knight,who
monfter. deacons bear tl e

infernal young

Stephen
tl
e

the

Eaftern aureola
is

Churches, who

double
['
This

of
of the

purity.
was a

Death

united
not

an

error

S. Louis

Francifcan Tertian,

Dominican

Tertiary.
"

Translator's

note.]

I HE

COM

EM

JT

F1ESOLE.

them

in the

fweet brotherhood.
of S. and drew

Thole
to

who
were

were

ing carry-

body
to

Stephen lay it
back
to

Rome tomb

miraculouily
S.
to

forced whofe

go

in the of

of

Lawrence,
room

bones

themfelves

make the

for the

and holy relics,

fhare with

them

homage
tion CoronaIt is

of the faithful.1 The group of the

holy women Virgin is one

moft

of

at affifting

the

of

rapturous

beauty.

perhapsthe Angelico.
Below which S.

admirable

part of this work

of Beato

George
her

is S.

Urfula, holding the

to

arrow

unites

by

death

her

divine the

fpoufe.

Nothing is more
of her head.

pure

and

than graceful

movement

Kneeling in front of her, with the wheel and palm of her martyrdom, is S. Catherine of Alexandria, the learned converted virgin,who fifty philofophers to the faith. She forms a pendant to S. Thomas Aquinas, and converfes with S. Agnes, who carries in
her
arms

the

lamb of

S. Catherine
not

fymbolical of Alexandria, between by

any

meeknefs.
two

Near faints of

female

made

known

fymbol,

is S. Catherine

Sienna

in the

joys of ecftacy.2
the centre, S.
never

Nearer of and

towards

with the Cecilia,

crown

which flowers, chafte

lofe their frefhnefs and

can

perfume

hearts alone

fee.3

S. Mary MagLaftly,
arridens, in
"

Laurentius

adventui

fratris fui
medietatem

quad

congratulans et
fratri

alteram

partem
c.

et fepulchri leceffit,

illius vacuam

reliquit. {Leg. aurea,

the reafons which

cxii, de
:

Inventione
"

S. of

Steph. Protom.)
of

In
me

the

Life

S. Catherine

Sienna,"

have

given
that any
manu

make has
3

fee in this the

figure the very faithful portrait of

a

great faint.

Schlegel

taken

figurefor
autem

S.

Clare, but without

ex

giving
liliis in
Iftas
eas

proof

of it.
et
unam et

Angelus

duas

coronas

rofis

et
:

habebat,
immaculato

et alteram Caecilise,

Valeriano

tradidit,dicens
de

coronas

corde
unquam

mundo

corpore

cuftodite, quia

paradifo

Dei

ad

vos

attuli,nee

gi with clalen,

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

wiped our Saviour's feet, and the littlevafe of fpices defignedto honour his burial. S. Auguftine and the patron S. Mary Magdalen are
long
faints of the Order believed wifried that the
to

her

hair that

of

S. Dominic

but

it may in this the

alfo be

them artift, by placing

picture,
tears

honour

purity recovered

by

of

repentance.
can give the holinefs of all thefe defcription them underftand be neto well, it would figures ; and which have incefTaryto read and meditate the texts the beautiful prayers he addrefTed the artift, to fpired

No

the faints the Golden

in

the

office of

the

Order,

and

the pages fource

of of

Legend,
of the the The

that

inexhauftible

poetry.
The talent artift has execution been of this of it

and infpiration, remarkable. it is

more

compofltion

worthy of his picture is very is happy, and

of figures to impoffible arrange fo great a number in fo fmall a ikilfully fpace. They form a the

circle around

throne,
their
or

the

elevation

of which
over

on

ftepshas
without
and

allowed confufion
to

one being difpofed

another is free

monotony.

The

centre

the whole of principal perfonages of the groups their importance. The and the variety of the heads to movement concur unity inftead of of the obfcuring it. Notwithstandingthe difficulty the perfpeclive point of lighttaken from the laft ftep, The is unblameable. crowning the throne canopy and a charming defignof Gothic architecture, prefents leaves
two

the

marceicent,
videri

nee

odorem
"

amittent,
de

nee

ab

aliis, nili quibus

caftitas

placueiit,

poterunt.

(Leg. aurea,

Sanfta

c. clxix.) Caecilia,

94

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

becaufe it raifed the principal and ferved ftep, picture, the altar-piece.1 there alfo be feen Cannot as a ftepto in thefe words a fymbolical iigniflcation very natural The the language of the middle Chriftian to ages ? the faints in the repofe of glory,as artift reprefented heroes in the immobility the Greek artift reprefented lower of triumph. The confecrated to were pictures the life on earth,which is the ftep to the life to come. The gradino fhowed that we reach heaven by trial and fundamental truth of religion, combat : it taught the of our that by imitating the Paffion Lord, we arrive at his glory. This explanationis proved by the gradino of the of the Virgin,lince the central fubjecl; Coronation is In it,our what Italians call a Pieta, a companion. of the tomb and furrounded Lord appears coming out of his punifhment, to show us by the inftruments invite us fhare in his fufrerings. his wounds and to of him, are In front feated, in contemplation and S. John the Evangelift, prayer, the Holy Virgin and of humanity on the two Calvary: great reprefentatives Mary who has brought us forth in pain,and the wellinherited the rights of Jefus who beloved difciple Chrift The in his Mother's fix heart. which this

fubjects into
taken from natural The

compofition
The

is

divided,are
choice
was

the life of S. Dominic.

enough
that

in

convent

of Friaris
as

Preachers. rich in

life of the

gloriousPatriarch

as infpirations

of S. Francis

of Affiii.

It

[l The
the
to

gradino
on

was

adopted,

in order it
"

to

raife the picture quite above

with

the

foot

of

candlefticks
excite the

the

altar; and
of the

was

ornamented

pious fubjeftscalculated

devotion

prieft. Translator's

note.]

THE

COM

"E

NT

AT

FIESOLE.

95 virtues

prefentsthe developed on
greater events.
of the
and

fame
a

virtues, and
more

thofe
and

were

fcene

vaft

Spain,France and of S. Dominic, apofflefhip

learned cities of
and

mingled with witnefles were Italy

and

the

moll

brated celehis

Europe

admired

miracles The

learning.

compofition reprefents the virion of Innocent When he helitatedto III. give his approval order in the Church, he faw during fleep to a new S. Dominic fupportingthe bafilica of S. John Lateran, it was fall. The about as to figure of the faint is admirable for movement and the impulfe. With frrength of faith and love, he fupports the gaping walls of the buildingwhich proudly bears the title of
"

flrft

Head the

and

mother

of all the of the

churches

of the world."

In

Pontiff

background an repofes on

picture, the
which is

Sovereign
is drawn his bed in

above "eftrade, He
on

the caflle of San full

Angelo.
a

lying on
and

coftume, with the tiara

thefe veftments truth

his head

his whole

body enveloped in
and

magnificent cope. during fleep may

This fhock

luxury
fuch
as

fee hiftorical

and Schlegel only in coarfe reality, himfelf begs pardon for the painter, by excufing tl is the gracefulnefs of the times, and by praifing fimplicity and eafe of the calmly-fleeping figure. He would, no that the Sovereign Pontiff were doubt, have preferred with fome in common device deshabille, reprefented
and

details would

indicatinghis
have been

name

and in the

dignity ;
diftance his

and
or on

the
a

dream cloud.

feen

Beato

Angelico has

conceived

is in the happily. S. Dominic is given perfectly.We action fymbolical

fubjeclmore foreground, and his

underfrand

g6

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

that this fcene ferted and

is

virion.

At

the end

of the little de-

flowerycourt, the bed, whereon the Sovereign Pontiff repofes, is raifed like a throne : his attitude is chafte and refpectful, and if his veftments not are thofe of a sleepingman, of a thofe they are pope There gence communication. is intellidivine a receiving and truth, then, in what appears only fimple. The aim of art is to and to this all its exprefsideas,
means

should

concur.

The

details
at

are

at

the fervice

of

thought, as
have the

the

body

is

the

fervice of the foul. art, and thus will

Thus
true

ancients

underftood it.

artifts always underftand fecond

"

the miflion of S. picture reprefents The two Dominic. S. Peter and S. Paul, apApoftles, peared to him, S. Peter prefentinghim with a ftafF, S. Paul with a book, and he heard a voice fayingto him, for unto Go it thou chofen :' and at and preach, art the fame time he faw his difciples, and two, fpreadtwo it. From that day ing over the whole world to evangelize carried with him the epiftles of forward, he conftantly S. Paul and the gofpel of S. Matthew, and whether walked or travelling dwelling in a town, he never The
'

without and

ftafF in his hand."1 hover

nave

The

figuresof
air ; the the
an

S. Peter

S. Paul

in the majeftically of the church

perfpecpart

tive of the of their The of The

hides idea of

lower

bodies,and

gives the

of S. Dominic receive to eagernefs his miffion, happily exprefs his zeal beautiful church in which the fcene

apparition. the fymbols

to

fulfil it.

is not, paffes, faithful reprefentation of the as a Schlegel fuppofed, ancient bafilica of S. Pietro. Beato Angelico had not
1

fie de S. Dominique, p. 392.

THE

CONSENT

AT

FIESOLE.

97

paintedthis picture ; but in default of an exactitude, we archaeological may the gracefularchitectural admire delign,a creation, like the one of his own talent, doubtlefs, adorning the
yet been
at

Rome

when

he

next

picture.
the railing to reprefents life of the in young the

It

Napolife of his

leone.

This

miracle It marks

is celebrated
one

S. Dominic.

of the great the

convent

epochs of
of of
San

of Order, the taking pofTeffion Sabina

to

Santa Sifto

and
nuns

the

furrender Santa

of the Maria

convent

the

of

in

Traftevere,whom
for five French

S.
nuns

Dominic from

reformed, by fending
his dear
were

convent to

of Our

Lady
San

of Prouille.
event

All thofe who

were some

take

part in that double

affembled,Feb.
one
came

18th, 121

8, at

Sifto, when

to

announce

that the had

Stefano
a

da

Foffanuova

fall from

his horfe.

S. Dominic and
went

dinal nephew of carjuft been killed by celebrated the holy

facrifice of the
to

mafs,
the

with been

all the laid

;

affiftants and after

the

room

where

body

had

having prayed and made the lign of the crofs over the of Jefus dead him, in the name body, he commanded The to rife. man Chrift, arofe,and the faint young hurt to his uncle, the and without reftored him joyful
who cardinal,
1

was

prefent.1
this miracle of
the

The

room

in which
a

occurred young
man

ftill exifts. reftored

to

The

Dominican
every this

pope
year,
room.

Benedict
in

XIII,

defcendant

went life,

or fpring

autumn,

to pafsfome

days

of retreat

in the chambers

above

The

Rev.

P. Beflbn

has

juft decorated

it with

large mural
to

which pictures,
the
ornament

prove

that, in the Dominican

Order, talent ftillcontinues

artift of frefcoes and great fkill, of the hi"*

be

of virtue.

[P. Beflbn
He
of F. San

was

an

earlydeath
on at

is much

deplored.
of the
of
fectory re-

executed, too, fome

Clemente

life of S. Dominic
were

the

wall

in Rome.

They
convent,

done
who

the

requeft
now

the

Rev.

Jofeph Mullooly, prior of

that

is himfelf

rendering the
H

98
The

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

fcene In
a

is
corner

givenwith
of the

rare

merit

in the

tion. composi-

is feen the horfe picture, his feet. Napoleone beneath trampling the young and fupportedby elegant little building,open, Under a the various fpectators are Ikilfully grouped. pillars, the foreground,holds ftretched The on man, young S. Dominic, who, Handing, commands to up his arms him calmly and fweetly. All the affiftants are in The aftonifhment and in the act of giving thanks.

cardinal,Stefano

da

FofTanuova, is
with of

near

the
a

faint. young
man.

Kneeling
woman,

in front of him
or

hands, is clafped
the
no

lifter

fpoufe
oldef woman,
to

refufcitated doubt of his his

Behind is

him,
The

an

mother,

leaning forward,

affure

herfelf

perfect

cure.

and

has

is in a fine ftyle, figureof S. Dominic of the woman her knees, of enthe profile chanting on purity. It is evident that the fame ftudy ferved for this figureand for the Virgin in the It is the head-drefs how fame and well kind the the how of nature, fame the fame
;

Coronation.

face, the
we

fame

coftume

but

may

admire

to artift, to

BlefTed

Virgin, has known alreadyfo perfect.

The
fourth which of Carcaffone.

paint the a fpiritualize type

ordeal
in the of trines doc-

the fubjectreprefents took place at Montreal, After many

diocefe

difcuffions with

the Albiinto their

genfes,S.
the

Dominic books

fire the

call to propofed to them of containingthe exposition

greateftfervices
fubterranean

to

art

and

to

Chriftian

by archaeology,
The

his

of difcovery

the

ancient

bafilica of S. Clemente. value

and
an

frefcoes which

he is ftillexploringand any fimilar ancient

reftoringpoflefs a
Chriftian
monuments

intereft

unfurpaffed by
"

in the

firftcity of the world.

Translator's

note.]

THE

CONVENT

AT

FIESOLE.

99

doctrine.

The

book

of of

the the

heretics faint
was

confumed,

whilft that

inftantly thrice fpared

was

by

the flames.1

has many points of refemblance compoiition the artift's with the gradino at Cortona ; but it fhows In the firft picfince his return to Fiefole. ture, progrefs the figures recall the fchool of Giotto, by the of the drawing and the naturalnefs of the fimplicity In the fecond, whilft prefervingthe movements. of the ftyleand the truth of the expreffions, dignity freedom Beato Angelicohas givenmore to his groups, and more to his more pliancyto his draperies, feeling figures. The pupil of tradition has been developed The double fcene of the by the ftudy of nature. of the book and the ordeal by fire is arranged delivery his propofal S. Dominic's geftureexplains perfectly. The brother who is followinghim very well. young is a model of religious ings modefty. The different feelthe heretical witnefTes of the miracle agitating alfo very lkilfully are exprefTed. The ing of the charmnext pictureis a literal rendering recital in the account Sifter Cecilia has given of the life of S. Dominic. the church
on a
"

This

When of San

the

brethren
were

were
a

ftill living at hundred commanded the for alms. in

and Sifto,

number,
Fra Roman But

certain of about

day,BlefTed
and the
town

Dominic Fra and berto Al-

Giovanni
to

Calabria

go

queft
pui

pofe
1

from

they employed themfelves morning to the third hour

took

to

no

of

the

day.
town

like miracle
the

placealfo
on

at

Fanjeaux
the

; and
was

in the

church
a

of

that

are

ftillfeen
traces

hearthftone fire.

which

fire

kindled, and

beam

bearing

the

of the

IOO

BEATO

ANGELIC

RETURNS

TO

They
reached
who

were

then

returninghome,
of Santa
to

and

had
a

alreadywoman

the church
a

when Anaftafia, the Order

met

had

great devotion

them, them,
return

and gave

seeingthat they carried nothing back I will not have them a loaf,faying,
"

with you

quite

empty."
man,

who

excufed

accofted by a they were They earneftly begged charityof them. themfelves from giving, becaufe they had A for themfelves
;

little farther on,

nothing
all the
"

but

when

the faid
to

man one us

continued

more

they importunate,
we

another,

What

fhall

do of

with God."

one

loaf ? Then

Let

give it to

they gave him the bread, and immediatelyloft lightof him. Now, as they the convent, the pious Father, to whom were entering
him for the love the

Holy
"

Ghoft
to

had
meet

already revealed
them, and
you

all that
a

had

came paffed,

faid with
"

cheerful

air,

Children, have
and and how faid Lord
us

nothing?"

No, Father,"
had
to
a

they replied ;
man.

they related to him they had given the

to

what loaf
an

pened, happoor of the His into fhort

He The Let

them,
will

"

It

was

angel
to

Lord.
own.

know

well

how

feed

go and

and

the

church,

pray." Thereupon he went coming out at the end of a

to

time, he
the how
to

told the brethren

call the
"

refectory.They anfwered,
can

community into But, holy Father,

as

you

wifh

us

ferve them what he

lent

with ?" ordered for

to

do

Father

Fra

nothing And they purpofelydelayed to them. Thereupon the BlefTed and manded comRoggero the cellarer,
to

call

them,

there

is

him the Lord

were

afTemble would
and laid,

the brethren their

for

caufe dinner, beThen

at a

provide for
the.cups

wants.

the cloths

fet out, and

given

102

BEATO

ANGELIC

RETURNS

TO

would

not
l

have

any

of

it

kept

any

longer

in

the

houfe."
The

painterhas been worthy of the writer : his The has given the original religious faithfully. pencil in the order and tion recollecfeated in the refectory, are and which poetical gives fomething fo grave is in the centre, his monaftic to repafts. S. Dominic of hands waiting for the good turn joined together, the Roman is reading, and Piovidence. Fra Enrico Fra Roggero the cellarer is bringing,in a largewicker
the bottle, wine

which

the

Lord with S.

hath the

fent.

The

two

angels, who
cuftom,
to
are

have
come

begun
before

as laft,

is ftill the
are

Dominic,
and

and

going
The
fidence con-

lay upon

the table the is

as

loaf calm

deftgned for

him. the

whole

of this fcene of thofe who

fimple as

hope in the Lord. the Death The of S. Dominic. laft picturereprefents The holy Founder, fittingon his bed, is giving his his religious. Before and laft inftructions to bleffing of his will, Have read thefe words him, we charity, voluntarypoverty."The painter, keep humility, pofTefs
"

who

had

written

them

on

the

book

S. Dominic

is

rying car-

in the

upper

took picture, dear of

to

delightin repeating
the reformed
convent to

them, becaufe
of him

they were
The children and
on

Fiefole.
with

the

dying
Grief

faint liften is

love

veneration. the
countenances

depicted in
Two gious reliIn the

different fhades in upper the

1

of all. fobs.

cannot particular

their reprefs dream

at

part, is drawn
convent

the

of the

Fra

Gualo, priorof
when the

of

Brefcia,who,
p. 415.
"

moment

Fie

de S.

Dominique,

Narrative

of Sifter

No. Cecilia,

3.

THE

CONVENT

AT

FIE

SOLE.

103

faint from other

was

giving his
to

laft
:

faw figh,
one
was

two

ladders

reaching
Lord,
the

earth

heaven

held

by

our

going and down, playing glad inftruments bearing up and beautiful crown. In the midft, two a angels carried the luminous throne deftined for the holy Patriarch. This virion does not injurethe unity of the compofition : it is fweetly with the azure blended fky.1 The type of S. Dominic in thefe pictures comes up Sifter Cecilia has left us of him. His to the portrait in her narrative, was of middle ftature,"fhe fays iize, his fhape flender,his face fine and rather fanguine in its hue, his hair and fair and his beard and bright,
"

by

the mcfft

Holy Virgin,and angelswere

eyes
and

beautiful. from between

There the

came

out

from

his

forehead

a eyelafhes

certain radiant He moved

was

light, always

which cheerful

attracted and

refpectand agreeable, except

affliction of

love. when

to

panion com-

by long
and fonorous

fome

his
a

beautiful voice. He

hands,
was

and

neighbour. He powerful,noble
bald,
and
a

had and
ligious re-

never

had few

his

tonfure

with perfect,fprinkled

white

hairs/'
We

however, that Beato Angelico fuppose, the has On adopted only one type. contrary, we with the diverfity have ftruck of face he has been conclude from it that, we given to S. Dominic ; and
muft
not

in He
1

his

time,

no

traditional the
be

likenefs

of

him

exifted. thofe who

one

chofe
This

amongft
in the celebrated
an difplays

around religious
with the Death
of

him
S.

compofition may

compared
Gallery
admirable
of

Bruno,

of

the
of

fineft fcenes that

Lefueur. effecl:of

Notwithftanding the
Beato light,

merit

which picture,
is
more

Angelico'scompofition

more religious,

true

and

more

learned.

Fie

de Saint

Dominique,

p. 432.

104

BEATO

ANGELICO

RETURNS

TO

FIESOLE.

by

their

fanctity
to

and and the is moft.

dignity
gave ftar of In his

beft them which thofe

reprefented
his
name

the

holy

Founder above Beato ftudied with fuch

him,
head

by

placing
him.

their

characterizes

Angelico
nature

one

painters
are

who found evident

have faces

pictures,
that it

marked But the the

individuality, they
artift actions Beato make
were

is

they

are

portraits.
which underftood live and

not

common

mercenary
were

models who virtues

chofe
;

they
faints,
put

religious
made them in diftr their the

of

the

and

again.
did the
not

Angelico
them of

fcene,

groups RenahTance

of

acted

fpectators,

as

painters

did.

Chapter

VI.

BEATO

ANGEL1C0

AS

THEOLOGIAN."
LORD.

LIFE

OF

OUR

all the

works

executed his abode

by
moft Life

Beato
at

Angelico during
convent

the portant imour

of is

Fiefole, the

affuredlythe

of

Lord,
tells
us

in

thirty-five pictures.Vafari that it was painted for the

the Nunciata
at

chapel
which Cofimo de Medici

of had

Florence,

built with

fuch The

cence magnifipaintings

by
once

his

architect
the

Michelozzi.1

formed of

treafures of Fine Never

the

for the panels of a prefs intended in the Academy chapel; they are now

Arts. has that

more

great

epopee

of

Chriftianitybeen piety.
Not
fare

with reprefented
1

learning and
della Nunciata
di

only
Piero
di

Nella

cappella
de' Medici,

fimilmente

Firenze, che
dove

fece

Cofimo

dipinfe gli
con

dell' armario fportelli

ftanno

di l'argenterie,

figure piccole

condotte

molta

diligenza.

Io6

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

has

Beato

Angelico
of

followed he

the has

traditions himfelf drawn

of

the

great fchool of Giotto, but

the fources in
our

from

merit

by hiftorians in the a fecondaryrank he had put on only the

in order
to

and of theology. This Holy Scripture has not been fufficiently remarked painter even ; feveral have fuppofedthat he held Order humble
art
more

of S.

Dominic,
of
a

and

that

habit

brother, laythe
was

cultivate

his

readily. But
to
us

ftudy of his life and works and a prieft, too, prieft,

as

proves
as

that he for is

remarkable
text

learning

for

holinels. chronicle of

At the

flrft

the light, of

The the habit

convent

Fiefole

positive. fays, "In

clerical

year

1407,

Fra

Giovanni and made

received his

the

in the profeffion following year."1 He was amongft the choir-religious have his theologicalftudies made then, and mull along with his companions in the noviciate. His artift like himfelf, brother,who was an was certainly lince he nominated of San a was prieft, fub-prior Marco and of Fiefole, and prior of San Dominico fulfilled the duties of thofe offices, whilft executing the choral books which Beato IV. he enriched with
was
a

in this convent,

fuch

ful beauti-

miniatures.

Angelico
to

lince prieft, him Arch-

Pope Eugenius

wifhed

nominate

bilhop of
not

Florence.
at not
once

In the fifteenth century, the fulnefs of the orders

they did

raife
was

to

who

alreadyin
to
de

Pontiff
1

wilhed
Petri

place Beato

one priefthood if the Sovereign ; and Angelico in the fee of

Fr.

Joannes
et

Mugello, juxta Vichium, profeffionem.

Paul Delaroche

optimus piftor, qui

clericorum
in Beato has

multas
con-

tabulas
ventu
.

accepit habitum parietesin divefis locis pinxit,

. .

hoc

et

fequenti anno
the

fecit

Angelico is reprefented depifted him

in
a

on

bis

tomb

in

choir-habit.

lay-

brother's

habit, in the hemicycle of the fchool of fine-arts.

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

07
his

Florence, before

he it

feated
was

S. Antoninus that he him

to

there

on

recommendation,

might
God,

receive

the title ill gious reli-

high dignityhis humility made of artift, which is given even

become and
a

refufe.

The
not

does

prieft.

In

Chriftian

antiquity, many

bifhopshave borne it with glory,and Greek of S. Luke, tradition has put the pencilinto the hand who the gofpel.1 wrote Beato Angelico has alfo written the Life of Our The Lord. facerdotal unction had prepared his hands, the coal from the altar purified the lipsof Ifaias ; as it is not that the fingers and which furprifing daily held the Body of the Holy Victim have promould duced fuch pure mafterpieces.Painting formed a part of his miniftry. Charged to diftribute the lightof he did it by prefenting truth to the faithful, grace and them which converted and fan edified their to pictures, Thefe hearts. preachingsof art have not loft their eloquence. At Florence, we have been told of Prohave teftants who back to a religion come capable of fuch paintings. infpiring Our Beato ftrengthened his talent by theological ftudies. His and pictures evince fruitful meditation of the Holy Scriptures.He profound intelligence from them borrows texts to numerous complete his better. We bethought and exprefshis fentiments
1

In

the

middle

ages,

the

Latin in
to

Church his this

did

not

believe
and

that

S. Luke

was

painter. gine, in

S. Thomas his

Aquinas,

Catena

Aurea,

Blefled

James

de

Vorathe The

Legenda Aurea, give

S. Paul:

the Evangelift

title of

after phyfician,

Epiftleof
numerous

Salutat
Madonnas

vos

Lucas,

medicus

iv. (Colofs. carijfimus

to

14).

Greek
of

attributed, in

Italy,
in the

S.

Luke

are

by
We

different
we

painters, and
were to

various

epochs.

The

one

Santa

Maria mofl
at

Maggiore, which
believe

able to examine
be

very with

clofe,appeared
of paintings

to

us

ancient.

it

contemporary

the

Santa

Sophia

Conftantinople.

lo8

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

lieve little
at

we

can

recognizetraces
the

of his ftudies

in the Fine
two

two

in panels preferved Florence. In them, he the the Dominican

has

Academy of the painted

Bleffed S. Thomas

Arts

great
the

gloriesof
Great and

Order,
Doctor

Albert

Aquinas. The in a femi-circle terminated were panels, by fcrolls, the doors or pulpits doubtlefs placed over of the halls ufed for teachingphilofophy firft and theology. The Albert the Great furrounded by his numerous reprefents and laymen ; and at his feet is read difciples, religious Bleffed Albert the this infcription Great, beatv. : In the fcrolls, is feen,on mangnvs albertvs [sic].1 the left, a astrofigure holding a fphere,aftrology, Angelic
"

logia

on

the

a right, figure holding

two

ferpents
This of
our

attempting to
monuments.

bite

each

other, logic,loicha.
found
on

of logic is personification

feveral

In the fecond

theology;

at

panel,S. Thomas Aquinas is teaching his feet, three perfonages are overthrown, by
their
names,
vilielmvs. averrois.

pointed out
sabellivs,

William

de

Saint-Amour,

Averroes

and

the three great herefies vicloSabellius,reprefenting combatted In the fcrolls, on rioufly by S. Thomas. the derole, left,a figure holding an eagle, and on a banthe theologia specvlativa on a right, ; pratica. holdinga globe,theologia figure Thefe the whole of the fciences fhow two us pictures of the middle ages, and the happy agreement between reafon and faith. Afirology, in its ancient fignification, indicates the knowledge of natural caufes ; and
1

This

mis-fpelling appears
at

in

other

pictures, and

indicates, perhaps,

nunciation pro-

that

period.

HO

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

ichools But

and

the

columns the It

of

folios with moft

art ;

fyllogifms.

theology is
art.

of Chriftian

and infpirer has given to the of

faithful friend

has traced the hand of

plan of

cathedrals

fymbolifm; it it has guided the

its

and has revealed to painters, of the holy fathers,the them, by the commentaries of the Gofpel. poetry of the Bible and the fublimity gian, theoloIn a proving that Beato Angelico was of a and more theologian than any of the have artifts who preceded or followed him, we make of the fources of his genius, one known of the one of his glory. Not caules only did he receive the of theology by artiftictradition, of which infpirations the faithful difciple, but he appropriated he was its and profound ftudies. has given He by fpecial lights proofsof it in paintingthe Life of our Lord, and has underftood all its hiftorical and dogmatic grandeur. The life of our is the key of hiftory, Lord the centre the higheft and moft complete of time and eternity, manifeftation Beato of truth. has known how
to
mow
us

and fculptors

Angelico
the Son

the

announcing playingin the creation,1 Himfelf nate by the prophets, becoming incarthe Crofs, leaving us fave us, dying on His to life and teachings, and coming at the end of ages to reward and punifh according to each one's works ; with his eyes fixed and he has paintedthefe fubjects the two on Teftaments, of which Chrift is the infpirer Each has a double and the hero. text fubjecl: giving the meaning of it. As Beato a Angelico has prologue to his poem,

Word,

of God

Prov.

viii,30.

"

[Translator's note]

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

Ill

of Ezechiel, begins the prophecies it by the magnificentcommenand he explains taries the banks On of S. Gregory the Great. of the river Chobar, Ezechiel contemplates the fymbolical wheel. Oppofite him, the Pope, S. Gregory, the painted vifion which meditates
corners
on

it and their fome

:
"

above whereon

explanation. In the heads, great parchments are unrolled, of their texts read. are paffages
"

writes

the

Above
came
a

Ezechiel
out

And

faw, and
;

behold

wind whirl-

of the

north

and
now

great cloud, and

as

fire

enfoldingit

And

beheld

the the

livingcreatures, there appeared upon wheel with four creatures one living
appearance the midft Above wheel
a

the earth faces. And

a

by

their in

and of S.
a

their work

was,

as

it were,

wheel

wheel."1
"
"

Gregory : is fpoken of,it is

What

is it

that,when
'

one

wheel

letter of hid in

after, as it were fhortly in the midft of a wheel,' except that,in the the Old Teftament, the New Teftament lay

added

? the fame wheel that Whence, alfo, allegory the is defcribed as living creatures appeared near having four faces,becaufe facred Scripture, by both ment Teftaments, is divided into four parts, the Old Teftainto the law
and

Gofpel and
1

into the acts

ventus

the prophets, of and fayings

ab
et aquilone,

New the
nubes
una

into

the

Apoftles."2
magna
et

Et vidi, et

ecce

turbinis veniebat

ingnis

involvens (y?c)

Cumque
quatuor

afpicerem animalia, apparuitrota

facies.
. . .

fuper terram,
opera,

juxta animalia, habens

fit rota
2

Et
4,

afpe"us
15,

eorum

et

quafi fi

in medio eft

rotae.

(Ezechiel,
cum
una

ch. i., v.

16.)
fi Veteris Teftamentum littera,

Q-uid
rota

hoc, quod

rota

Quafi : diceretur,paulo poft adjungitur

fit

in

medio

rotae, nifi quod ? allegoriam

Unde

in Teftamenti
et
rota

Novum quatuor quatuor Novum

latuit per

eadem, quae juxta animalia

apparuit,
in

facies habere

facra per utraque Teftamenta defcribitur, quia Scriptuia diftin"a.

Vetus

partibus
vero

eft

etenim

Teftamentum
et

in

lege et prophetis,

in

Evangeliiatque apoftolorum a"ibus

di6tis.

112

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

paffageis taken from the beautiful homilies of the virion of Ezechiel S. Gregory the Great, explaining by the coming of our Saviour and by the fpreadof the holy Gofpel,which he relates by employing the figures he fays, of the prophet.At the time of the Incarnation,
This the whirlwind evil
came

from

the north

the breath

of the

was ravaging the world ; the great cloud of fpirit the fire of perfecution men idolatry blinded ; and Light then fpread encompaffed truth. ; in the midft, it were, a metal as compofed of gold and filver, was, of juftice and : the gold of the Divine nature mercy

was

united with

the filver of the Saviour. In the

human

nature

in the the

the Son creatures living refembling the Evangelifts have imitated our of Man Lord ; for four faces and four wings, in all things. They have for they all fay the fame thing,and their flight tends Their way is ftraight to the fame forwards, perfection. like thofe of the ox, the fymbol of their feet are and and fparks of truth go out of ftrengthand difcretion, The hand them like glowing brafs. of the Man-God itfelffelt by the ardour of their zeal in the four makes the quarters of the world, and they carry to them fame teftimony of words and virtues. They do not and always advance recoil before towards any obftacle, the ox by eternal. They refemble man by reafon, things the lion by courage, and the eagleby the flight facrifice, the right of contemplation.They triumph on and on the left, in profperity well as in adverfity, becaufe as foar above the things of earth. how to they know The two wings of their foul are love and hope ; and the two wings of their body, fear and penance. They

perfon of our image of the

midft, alfo,was

four

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

13

go

whither

the

breath

of

the

Holy

Ghoft

carries

like burning They are like burning coals of fire, lamps ; and they fhed everywherethe flames of love and the light of truth. like They go and come the thunder-clap, and fcatter Holy Scripture where. everyis like a wheel with four iides: Holy Scripture the law, the prophets, the Gofpel and the words of the Apoftles this wheel is double, for the New ; and them. Teftament is the
centre to

which

the Old

converges.

is like the fea by its extent and depth, Holy Scripture and by it we arrive, upheld by the facred Tree of may the Crofs,at the heavenly country.1 This beautiful commentary developed in the firft homilies of S. Gregory on Ezechiel,muft naturally have been familiar to a religious of the Order charged the million of the Apoftles. Beato Angeto continue of underftanding lico was and loving the very capable the moft perfectreprefengeniusof that great faint, tative of the papacy in its focial action. In the perfon of S. Gregory the Great, Providence the inaugurated which was to temporalpower of the fovereign pontiffs, be the centre of progrefs and civilization during all the middle ages. Sprung from ancient patrician he families, of Rome invefted with the firft magiftracy was by the Emperor Juftinus. And when the acclamations of the whole peoplehad feated him, in fpite of himfelf, upon the the pontifical he of the Church throne, became light which he defended the and the faviour of Italy, againft corruptionof Byzantium and the violence of the No Lombards. zealous in fending mismore pope was
1

Sancti

Gregorii
2, 3 et

Pap*

Opera omnia,

Congr. S. Mauri,

1705;

torn,

i,

lib. i, Horn.

feq.
I

114

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

creating fchools, in and in founding hofpitals, maintainingecclefiaftical the code of which he digefted in his Pajioral. difcipline, alfo the legiflator of Chriftian art, by regulating He was the liturgy, its moil divine and living part. An artift he compofed hymns, and gave the faithful to himfelf, the Gregorian chant, that preciousfragment of the
fijnaries
to

the

barbarians,in

ancient his

melodies.

His

works

excel

in

poetry, and

Dialogueshave been the moft fruitful fource of our marvellous legends.He protected particularly painting, in multiplying and the artifts of his time took pleafure him as receiving his portrait. the inThey reprefented
of fpirations Let
us

the

Holy

Ghoft

in the form

of

dove.

Angelico has tranflated the of S. Gregory with his pencil. Around commentary wheels reprefenting concentric the Old and New two Teframent, are written the beginningof Genelis and of the Gofpel of S. John.
Beato The God. earth. nefs God
was

fee how

creation "In And upon the

is the firft manifeltation

of the Son heaven and

of and

beginning God
was

created and

the earth

void the

empty,
and God And the

dark-

the face of
over

deep ;
And

of Spirit faid: Be

moved

the

waters.

And was lightmade. light that it was light good : and the darknefs. The And He

made. He

God the

faw the

divided

called the fecond

from light Day."1 light manifeftation of the

Incarnation

is the

In the

on givingthe infcriptions

the

pictures by

Beato the

Angelico,we
texts
aut.

fhall adhere

to

orthography.
tenebrae

We

will Deus

correft occafionally ccelum faciem

et terram.
et

in italics.
erat

In
vacua

principio creavit
et
erant

Terra

innanis

el

fuper
et

abiffi
et

SpiritusDni
lucem

ferebatur

fuper
et

aquas

dixitq. Deus
ucem ac

fiat lux

fa6ta eft lux

vidit Deus
diem.

q. efiet bona

divifit

tenebras

lucem (a tenebris) appellavitq.

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

115
eternal and The

Word.
"

The the

In

relates His Evangelift beginning was the Word, and the Word God.
was was

generation.
was
was

the Word
same

with the and On

God,

God.

in

with beginning

All

without
this

Him

made all the

account,
events

made by Him, were things nothingthat was made."1 fpokesof the two wheels, and New

like all the in

one

of the Old

Teftament, end

only centre, the Man-God, whofe double nature is reprefented by the union of gold and filver in a the Old wheel The metal. outer reprefenting fingle
Teftament
the is divided into twelve

compartments.

In

with the armed is feated Mofes, his brow higheft, reflections of the Divine holdingthe two tables light, and left, On his right of Sinai in his hands. are fitting David and

Solomon,

and

next

them

Ifaac,Ezechiel,

Daniel,Jeremias, Efdras, Micheas, Malachias, Jonas

and

of

not are Joel. These perfonages our Lord, but alfo types of Him
a

onlythe
:

hiftorians
names

their very
to

have

not fignification prophetic

unknown

art

in

the middle David

on

ages.2
rex.

David

hand of right hand of His Father. He the right God is fitting on the prophets. His eyes are fixed on heaven, reprefents his Lord, the inheritor of his he is faluting in which the his fongs on and his hands race : accompany pfaltery. the peaceful Solomon On the other fide, (pacificus), the
1

the well-beloved fits (dilectus) Mofes, as the well-beloved Son of

In

erat principio

verbum

et

verbum omnia

erat

apud

Deum

et

Deus

erat

verbum. faftu.

Hoc

erat

in

principioapud

Deum

per ipfum facia funt et fine

ipfum

eft nichil.
*

See

the

of explanation i of S. Matthew.

the

names

of

the

forefathers of

Chrift, in the

Catena

aurea,

chap,

Il6

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

king,who
Forefather

holds of Him

the who

fword is
to

and make

the

book

of the
at

law. peace the and

all nations

by

the fword

of the word

and

Gofpel,Solomon
the Church. Isaac
to

celebrates

by the fweetnefs of the nuptials of Chrift

who

the laughter of Abraham, (risus), upon

is ready
ex-

facriflce him

the mountain.
becaufe rejoices

His

attitude
are

preffes ecftacy. He
be blefTed in his

all nations

to

pofterity. hold phylacleries The in their hands, other prophets to the Saviour. to indicate the texts relating Ezechiel of God. He Dei), the ftrength (fortitudo Him who is to reignover the nations, and announces the only Paftor who is to lead them. Daniel (judiciumDei), the judgment of God. He
delivers truth the upon from the hands when of
and falfehood,

indicates

day

and

hour

and juftice

peace

will embrace

Calvary. Jeremias (celjitudo Domini), the highnefsof the Lord. He laments the fufferings of the Paflion, over Him who will draw all thingsto Hjmfelf, and fhows
when He mall be lifted up
on

the Tree

of the Crofs.

the helper. He is the fupport and (adjutor), of the captivity, and teaches the faithful the law light and divine worfhip. Mi che as (quis Micheas JicutDeus), who as God. of Ifrael, the fees in the Child of Bethlehem, the Ruler Esdras

days of eternity. Malachias Malachias, (nunciusmeus), my meffenger. the prophet of the forerunners of Chrift, announces
God gone S. before John Baptift Elias before the

forth from

the

Incarnation,and

the

phet pro-

the laft judgment.

Ii8

BEATO

ANGEL1C0

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

Matthew

began

from

Chrift's human

by the man rightly reprefented ; as he by the voice cryingin the defert, he is well from facrifice, by the lion ; as Luke proceeds by the calf; and as John began from the reprefented the eagle worthily of the Word, fymbolizes divinity the Word, and was him, who fays, In the beginning
'

he is generation, has begun Mark is well reprefented

the

Word he

was

with

God,

and the
as

the very

Word

was

God.' of the the

Whilft

contemplated
fixed his eyes,

fubftance

he Divinity, fun."

the black

on eagle's,

For the Saviour. fymbols alfo reprefent Himfelf the only-begotten Son of God was trulymade He In the facrifices of our man. deigned redemption, He rofe die like the calf ; by virtue of His ftrength, to to again like the lion. The lion is alfo accounted which with open by fleep eyes : for in that death,in Redeemer could be fleeping, His humanity our by His He was watching by remaining immortal. divinity Also after His refurrection, to heaven, He was afcending has He raifed above, like the eagle. To us, therefore, become, at once, the man by being born, the calf by the lion by riling and the eagleby going again, dying, Thefe four
"

up

to

heaven." Chrift is the chief of the

"

But muft

elect,and all the elect

elect and the the man,

be like their Head. the way the

Therefore,every
at
once

in perfect

of God

is

calf,

the lion and

creature;

lion

is

is a rational living eagle. For man the the calf is ufuallyoffered in facrifice; ftrong beaft, as it is written,CA lion, the meeteth.' the fun-

he hath no fear of anything of beafts, ftrongeft The to eagle flies up into the air and turns

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

lig

beams who

unquailing eyes. is the is perfect in reafon,

himfelf in

with

Every
man.

one,

therefore,
as

And

he

tifies mor-

he is the calf. When worldlypleafure, by his own voluntarymortification he has the ftrength of fecurity it is written, The all adverflty, as againft he is juftman, bold as a lion,mall be without dread,'
c

contemplatesheavenlyand fublimely he is the eagle. man as the juft Therefore, earthly things, is by his reafon man, tion by the facrihxe of his mortificathe calf, the lion, and of fecurity by the ftrength fo by thefe facred by contemplationbecomes the eagle, be one livingcreatures rightly perfect may every typified."1 Such the principal ideas Beato are Angelico has of S. Gregory in recalled, by givingthe commentary The this flrft picture of the Life of our Lord. twentytwo figures which it contains are in noble ftyle ; the the Old Teftament, prophetsefpecially, reprefenting with the be compared, for ftyleand draperies, may flneft ftatues adorning our cathedrals. The pictures the Life of our Lord. following reprefent Each fubjectis accompanied by a verfe from the Old the idea of the artift. and New Teftament, which explains The Incarnation. Behold a Virgin fhall conceive,
"

the lion.

As

he

and bear
"

Son, and His

thou
a

name

fhall be calledEmmanuel.,, in

Behold

malt

conceive and thou

thy womb,
fhalt

and

malt
name

bring forth
Jesus."2
1

Son,

call His

S. Gregorii Ecce

Opera,

lib. ii, Horn.

3, p.

1200.

virgo concipietet parietfilium, et pariesfilium, ef

vocabiti/r

nomen

ejus Emmanuel.

"

vii, 14. Ifaias,

Ecce

concipies in

utero

et

vocabis

nomen

ejus iHefum.

"

Luke, i,31.

120

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

The

angeland
the from down

of together
come

to treat are kneeling, Virgin great affair of our falvation. Mary has
a

the Bleffed

littleftool before bows Lord. down The

her, as

if

to

lower

herfelf frillmore, the

over

and the

whilft

herfelf ftyling Ghoft hovers

handmaid the

of

Holy

compofition.The fcene takes place in the middle of a rich porch, at the back of which is opened the avenue of a beautiful garden. The architecture the fimple and graceful alreadyno longer prefents of the firft pictures notions it : by Beato Angelico claffic tafte and recalls the magnificence of the
Medici. The

Nativity.

"

Child

is born

to

us, and

Son

is

"

givento us, and Her days were

He,
in whofe

the government

is upon

His moulder."

and fhe delivered,

be accomplifhed that fhe mould brought forth her firft-born Son."1 every knee mufl

Name

bow,

is laid upon

ground, in front of a ruftic and ruinous flable ; and him. his arms, He extends has nothing to cover to in facrifice. offer himfelf already Mary and Jofeph Behind adore him in lilence. him, the afs and ox are
the
to according kneeling,

the

legend,and

warm

him

with

their breath.

Over

the thatched

roof of the ftable, fix

the left, On are angels chant the Gloria in excel/is. with devotion. The leen the fhepherds, on flattening often infpired fchool of Perugino feems to have been

by
and
1

this The

compofition.
Circumcision. "Be

circumcifed
of your
et

to

the
men

Lord,
of
ej.

take away
Parvulus
enim

the forefkins
eft nobis
. . . .

hearts, ye

natus

faftus eft principals

fup.humeru.

"

ix, 6. Jfaias,

Impleti funt
ii.6.

dies

ut

pareret,

et

peperitfilium

fuum

primogenitum.
"

S. Luke,

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

121

Juda."
the Child

"

And

after

fhould

that eightdays were accomplifhed His name be circumcifed, called was

Jems."1
A little table dim covered with
a

worked which blood.

cloth, and
the The Saviour

gold
is
to

the altar, reprefent upon flrft fruits of his it. The Child

offer the
to

prieft

advances hands

fhed
to

Jefus has

his eyes and

Mary and Jofeph are affociated with his facrifice by holding him ; but the Virgin mother her head away. Behind the prieft, turns are three perfons, who feem to be waiting The him. upon buildingin which the fcene pafTesis like a church ; the lancet windows and the vaults of pointed arches indicate the tranfition that by fluted pilafters fupported itfelf at Florence in the mowed beginning of the
fifteenth century. The and Adoration iflands

raifed

heaven.

of the Magi.
fhall offer

"

The

kings of
"

Tharfis

: the prefents kings of the Arabians and of Saba fhall bring gifts." And opening their treafures, they offered Him gifts ; gold, frankincenfe and myrrh."2 This compoiitionis very fine. The Holy Virgin is

the

feated in the of Bethlehem

and

centre
as

her
were

figure ftands
from the

out

from

the hut

it

is admirable

for his

and dignity mother's

drapery of a throne, purity. The Child

bleffes the

on Jefus fitting

knees

king
veftrwra

Circumcidimini

Domino,

viri Juda,

et

auferte

praeputia cordium

"

Jeremias, iv. 4. Poftquam

confummati
"

i'unt

dies

o6to

ut

circumcideretur

puer,

vocatum

eft

nomen
3

ejus iHefum. Reges Tharfis

"

S. Luke, infulae

ii, 21.

et

munera

offerent; reges Arabum

et

Sabba

dona

cent. addu-

Ps.

lxxi, 10.
obtulerunt ei
munera

Et appertis thefauris

thuset

mirram.

"

S. Matt., ii,it.

122

BEATO

JNGEL1C0

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

his feet. The young ing to embrace king bearproftrated the gold vafe is very elegant. On the rightof the The is feen the retinue of Orientals. BlefTed Virgin, neareft refpecl fullycontemplatethe scene ; the more diftant are looking at, and pointing out, the ftar which S. Jofephis difcourling On the left, has guided them. of the kings. with one the Lord whom The Purification. Prefently you whom feek,and the Angel of the Teftament you delire His fhall come to temple." "They carried Jefus to
"

to Jerufalem,

offer

facrifice for Him."1 is

confined in his ftraitly fwaddlingclothes. The Holy Virgin is giving him into the hands of the aged Simeon, who templates lovinglyconand adores the Salvation and Glory of Ifrael. the BlefTed Virgin, S. Jofeph comes Behind up carrying the oppofite in a bafket. little doves On two Anna is advancing, with clafped fide, the prophetefs This hands. figure is admirable, and is worthy of Raphael. I have gone far off flying The Flight into Egypt.

The

Ruler

of the nations

"

away,

and

I abode and His

in the wildernefs."

"

Arife,and

take

the Child

flyinto Egypt."3 The afs ; fhe an on Virgin is going away, fitting the Child Jefus in her arms. S. Jofeph prefTes tenderly with his poor provifion follows on foot, for the journey;
Mother,
and he
1

in holds,
Statim veniet

his left
ad

hand, aftone
sanctum

with bottle,
dominator
"

ftaffand

templum

fuum
vos

(dominus)
(An
inexa6l

quern

vos

quceritis et
Tulerunt
ee
4

us angel

teftamenti (eft) in Jerufalem

ut

quern darent

vultis. pro

Malachi, iii, i.
eo.

iHefum

oftiam

quotation ;

S. Luke, ii,22-24).

Elongavi fugiens:et

manfi
et

in folitudine.

"

Ps., liv,8
"

Surge, et accipepuerum

matrem

ejus, et fuge in Egipturn.

S.

Matt., ii, 13.

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

123

his cloak round

on

the This

end

of

it ; and

in his

right,a
us

fmall

bafket.

reminds composition

of Taddeo

Gaddi's, in
The

Santa

Croce, at
children

Florence.
"

Maffacre of unjuftly againftthe

innocent blood in

the Innocents. of

They
and And all

have have Herod the

done fhed
was
men-

Juda,
"

their and

land."

exceeding
This
is
a

angry,
were

fending killed

children that

in Bethlehem."1

Herod orders compofition. the maffacre from the top of a terrace of his palace.A the weeping mothers. The troop of foldiers purfues cries of the inconfolable and Rachel tears are given with an infpiration of expreffion and intenlity feemingly with Beato Angelico's fweet and contemplative incompatible very remarkable foul.
to

It is true, the executioners

;

do

not

appear is fhown
women,

be furious

but

the

of defpair varied

the mothers

by

the trueft and

moft

movements.

Two

in the* foreground, are

are

fenfelefs with

grief. Their

dren chil-

notice of the they take no more them ; one around fcene of Slaughter is lyingon the body of her fon ; and the other contemplatesher child

dead, and

extended of
a

on

her

knees

whilft The

another moft

tears

the face whilft fly,

foldier with

her nails.

diftant
to

prefhng the objectsof

One of them
one

their tendernefs

their bofoms.
;

feems
we

to

hope

to

fave him

her

profile
of

recalls the the

to

have

admired of railing heads

in the Coronation the young

are

Virginand
life. All
rare

in the thefe

Napoleone
and
delled mo-

female

drawn

with
1

perfection.
in

Ineque
"

egerunt

filios Juda, et effuderunt

fanguinem

innocentem

in terra

lua,

Joel, iii, 19.

valde efi

Iratus
"

(Herodes)

et

mittens

occidit

omnes

pueros

qui

erant

in Bethlehem.

S. Malt., ii, 16.

124

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

are

Jefus in the midft of confounded, they are

no

the Doclors.

"

The

wife

men

is

wifdom

in

them.''
the

difmayed and "They found

of the

taken. Him

There in the

in temple fitting them and

midft

doctors, hearing

afkingthem queftions."1 This compofition is full of quietand fweetnefs. He human wifdom who confounds is fitting in the centre. His heavenlylook appears to contemplatetruth in the The bofom of his Father. doctor his righthas on foughtto anfwer him : his book is open on his knees and but his geflure embarrafTment. exprefles furprife his left has humbly clofed his book, and The one on The liftens with compunction and veneration. tenances counvarious feelings. of the others exprefs The advancing. Holy Virginand S. Jofeph are refpectfully in the went The Baptifm. "He down, and wafhed and was Jefus came baptized by Jordan feven times." John in the Jordan."3
"

The

Marriage
of the Lord

in Cana.

"You turned

shall take into blood." upon the

"

of
"

the The

and river-water, voice The with

it fhall be hath

thundered

the waters."3 houfe He

was

Transfiguration."And
the

filled
figured trans-

gloryof

the

Lord."

And

was

before

them."4

Confufi
"

funt

et capti funt perterriti fapientes,

....

Sapientianulla
audientem

eft in

eis.

Jeremias, viii, 9.
eum

Invenerunt

in
"

teraplo fedentem
ii, 46.
"

in

medio

doctorum,

illos et

interroganteseos.
3

S. Luke,
lavit

Defcendit Jefus

et

feptiesin Jordane.
a

Kings,
"

v,

14.

Venit
3

eft et baptifatus

Johane in
"

in Jordane.

S. Mark,
"

i,9.

Haurietis Domini

aquam

et vertetur

fanguinem.

Exod., iv, 9.

Vox
*

intonuit

fuperaquas.

Ps., xxviii, 3.
"

Et

erat repleta

gloriadomus
ante eos.
"

Domini.

Ezech., xliii, 5.

Tras

eft fighuratus

S. Matt., xvii, 2.

126

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

lion of his

empire on
Mount

the of and As

of Calvary. heights is
to

He

is the

eroding the
witnefs

Olives, which
he

be

of his agony, him.

blefTes the faithful band

accompanying
falem
a

yet
and

we

fee neither crowd.

Jeru-

nor

the

enthufiaftic

fickle the

few

and difciples

the

of college

Only ing holdApoftles,

in folitude

branches, follow
has

him.

This

march

fomethingfad and folemn in it. And The Betrayal by Judas. theyweighed for my What will you thirty piecesof fllver." give wages I will deliver Him and unto me you? But they of lilver."1 him thirty pieces appointed Saviours Paffion The of our hiftory begins with the treafon of Judas. The cluded, bargainhas juftbeen conand Judas, before going away, ftretches out the priceof his crime his hand, into which is being is diftinguifh This counted. ed amongfl: compolition of the all the others, by the grandeur and limplicity lines. The phyfiognomy and gefturesof the perand the type of Judas is fonages are very expreffive, quite that of the avaricious and treacherous man. The building that ferves as a background for the feems copiedfrom the baptiftry at Florence. picture of the fame year withA lamb out The Laji Supper. And he fhall ofFer." blemilh they made ready the hour was when the pafch. And Jefus fat come, with Him."* and the twelve difciples down
" "

"

"

Appenderunt
vultis dare
"

mercedem mihi
et

meam

trigintaargenteos.
tradam

"

Zach., xi.,

12.

Quid

ego volis

ilium.

At

i111 conftituerunt

ei

xxx

argenteos.
3

S. Matt., xxvi, 15.

Agnum

ejusdem

onni

immaculatum

faciet facrificium

Ezech., (holocaajium).
"

xlvi, 13.
Paraverunt

pafca.
"

Et

cum

ja"a
13.

effet hora

difcubuit

(Jhs)

et

duodecim

S. Lvke, xxii, (apofioli). difcipuli

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

I2J
when
our

The Lord

moment
announces

chofen
to

the

by the painteris Apoftlesthat one of

them

will

This pictureis inferior to the others. betray Him. Judas, who betrayshimfelf by puttingout his hand to the diih, has not the type which have juftnoticed. we The

IVaJhingof
into
a

the

Feet.

"

Warn

be yourfelves,
"

clean,take away the evil of your devices."

water

He

putteth

baiin,and
to

began

to

wafh

the

feet of His

and difciples, The

a

fcene

little court attentive before

wipe them with the towel."1 takes place under a gallery furrounding with trees and turf. The Apoftles planted
and

are

recollected.

Our his

Lord

is kneeling

S.

Peter,who
with

withdraws

feet,whilft he

looks group of the The for you

to eat

on

The adoration. refpeclful has the text is a mafterpiece. Never, perhaps, Gofpel been more admirablygiven. Inftitution of the Holy Euchariji. I will flay
"

his Mafter

great victim
drink my drinketh is

upon

the
u

mountains He that

of

Ifrael,
my

flefh and

blood."

eateth

flefh and Our

life."2 blood, hath everlafting

as one a

Lord

giving communion,
This may is truth

to prieft,

the

Apoftleson
in which The fo
more

their knees.

of the

occaftons truth.

myftic

put

on

hiftorical

for the repaft muft difappearamidft provilion Nicolas Pouffin had a great a myftery; and Chriftian when he the reprefented infpiration,

Levamini,

mundi in

eftote,auferte
et

malum

cogitationumveftrarum.

"

i,16. Ifaias,
linteo.
"

Mifit aquam

pelvim

cepitlevare pedes difcipulorumet extergere

grandem

S. John, xiii,5.
2

Ego
et

imolabo bibatis

vobis

vi"imam
"

fuper montem fanguinem

Ifraelut
habet vitam

comedatis

cames

fanguinem.
meam

Ezech., xxxix, 17.

et

Qui
"

manducat

carnem

bibit

meum

eternam.

S.

John, vi, 55.

128

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

institution of the than fhow

Holy
the

Eucharift

after Beato he

when,

in

his

Seven

Sacraments,
an
"

his talent

by

luxury of
of Olives.

ancient Fear

Angelico, fought to fupper.

am

Jefusin
with thee
:

the Garden I
am

not, for I

thee." Thy God. I have Strengthened "And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, Him."1 Strengthening The of the angel prefenting the chalice apparition the fchool of Lord is a defignfrom at prayer to our Giotto. But the poftureof the three Apoftles alleep the foreground is remarkable for its originality. It on is feen that they wanted that fleep has to watch, but in front, with his S. Peter is fitting them. overcome forehead and hidden by his hand. fupported He who hath bread The Kifs of Judas. ate my And me." Judas forthwith coming greatly fupplanted
" "

to

Jefus,said,Hail, Rabbi.
The

And

he khTed beautiful.

Him."2
The and
even

principal group
weeps The

is very

hypoforrow frill

of Judas crify of

contrails with for him

the whom

calmnefs
he the would

Jefus,who

call his friend.

on

foldiers and

Jews

overturned

his left fomewhat

Jefus is Bound. thee,and they mail upon

"

the unityof the fubjecl. injure Behold, they fhall put bands bind thee with bound
to

them."

"

But

they holding Jefus led high prieft."3

1

Him

Caiaphas the

Ne

timeas

quia ego
ei panes

tecum

fum

....

Ego

Deus

tints confortavi

te.

"

Ifaias

xli,10. Apparuit
"

autem

angelus de ccelo,confortans
meos,

eum.

"

S. Luke,

xxii,43.
"

Qui

edebat

fuper me magnificavit
ad
xpm

lupplantationes.Ps., xl,
rabbi
et

10.

Et

eonfeftim

accedens

(Judas)

dixit

ave

ofculatus

eft

eum

"

S. Matt., xxvi, 49.

s

Ecce

data

l'unt

fuper

te

vincula,

et

ligabunt

te

in

eis.

"

Ezech., iii, 25.

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

129
in

Beato
fcenes

remains him
are

representing of violence. The Lord figure of our always calm and dignified. The foldiers furrounding
not

Angelico

does

excel

well

drawn, but
are

execute

without In the

emotion

the

million S.

they
ear

charged
with
a

with. very

foreground,
fword,
cuts

Peter, armed

not

dreadful

off the

of the overturned treated face

"

Malchus.
I have Me and
not

Jefus is
away upon And

ignominiou/ly."
them that

turned

My
Me."

from And

rebuked Him

and

fpat
Him.

they

mocked

{truck

they

blindfolded

Him."1 from

This

compofition, imitated
The fervants hair and of

Giotto's, is

very

beautiful.

of the

Lord, pull his

tionlefs
a on

fpitin

infult our high prieft his face. Jefus, moin

one

his throne
a

derifion, holds

hand

reed

for

world.
and

The

and in the other the globe of the fceptre, bandage covering his eyes is tranfparent, his look
to

allows

be

feen

full of

meeknefs

and repreof

patience. fent Him,

ages,

Does who

not

this admirable

figurewell
the

is the

in truth, fitting

midft

the infults of error and the grofs outrages receiving He of vice; feeing all, fuffering all, becaufe of eternity ? awaits the tears of penitenceor the juftice of is painted the Denial In a corner of the picture, S. Peter.

Jefus beforethe High Prieft. They

"

fhall ftrike the of the officers

cheek

of the

Judge
duxerunt

of

Ifrael."

"

One

At

illi tenentes

Jhm

eum

ligatum ad CHaipham

principem Judeorum.

S. Matt., xxvi, 57.

1

Faciem

meam

non

averti ab
Et

et confpuentibusin increpantibus

me.

"

1. 6. 1/aias,

Illudebant

ei caedentes.

velaverunt

faciem

ejus.
"

S. Luke,

xxii, 63.
K

130

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

Anfwereft- thou Handing by gave Jefus a blow, faying, the high prieft fo ?"x of the the tribunal Our Lord is Handing before his neck is a noofe, and a folhigh prieft.Around dier holds the is end of the
to

cord.

Behind The
are

him

is the and

who fervant, the and

going

ftrike him.

judge
well

falfe witnefies well

furrounding him
"

drawn

The forrow Pilate This Beato of it

our

draped. and My I am Scourging. ready for fcourges, therefore "Then is continually before Me." took Jefus and fcourgedHim/'3
fcene is

painted with
to

piety and
heard and from
to

companion.
the mouth have
tears

Angelico feems
Lord himfelf. the Pfalm He muft

have

of

David,
fhed

applied
in thus and in his his

to

have

many for
as

Him who had reprefenting griefwas very truly before heart.

fuffered his eyes,

him,
it
was

Nothing is more ftmple and affectingthan this composition. Jefus is bound to the pillar. Two executioners hold the cord binding him, with one
hand,
Lord
and

with

the the

other
one on

ftrike him his left

a

with fweet

rods.

Our

cafts upon

deep look,

which

him. ought to convert led as a fheep Jefus carries His Crqfs. He was the ftaughter." And to crofs,He bearing His own forth to that place, which is called Calvary."3 went
" "

Percutient

maxillam

Ifrael. judicis
"

Micheas,

v,

1.
:

Unus

affiftens miniftrorum

dedit

alapam Jhu
dolor

dicens

? Sic refpondes pontifici

"

S. John, xviii, 22.

a

Ego

in

flagella paratus fum,

et

meus

in

confpeftu (tuo) meo

S.

femper.
"

Ps. xxxvii, 18. Tunc

3

ergo

apprehendit Pilatus Jhm

ovis ad occifionem

et

flaeellavit
eft.
"

eum.

"

John, xix,

1.

Tanquam

duftus

liii, Ifaias, 7.

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

13

There fcene.

is much Thofe who

movement

and

firft are go mountain-roads,whilft thofe who the

grandeur in entering upon

clofe the train the
at

this the
are

frill at

gates of the city. Jefus follows

thieves. He
turns

two

enchained

his head

to

look

his

than his grief weighs on him more A foldier menacingly repulfesMary, who, Crofs. of her Son. The weeping, follows the footprints lines and draperyof this figure beautiful as the are as who him expreffion.The holy women accompany alfo very remarkable. One of them is turning as are

mother,

whofe

if to

aik

favour from

the Roman

officer.
"

Jefus is Jiripped of His garments. They parted My garments amongft them ; and upon My vefture The foldiers divided His garments, they call:lots." lots/'1 calling This fubjecl: is reprefented in an unufual manner : nothingin it indicates Calvary and the neighbourhood of Jerufalem. On the contrary, the fcene is commanded
"

by high
fortified caftles.

mountains The

furnifhed

with

towns

and

who accompanied holy women thieves the Crofs and the two Saviour are our abfent, have difappeared. Chrift is furrounded only by the of them who are him, and two are foldiers, ftripping

Beato Has not playingat dice for his feamlefs coat. intention,and may we Angelico had fome particular he of the events fee in this piclurea memorial not had witneffed
xrs

and
crucem

been
exivit

the viclim
in eum,

of, when
"

he
S.

was

Bajulans
xix, 17.
1

fibi

qui dicitur Calvariae locum.

John,

Diviferunt

fibi veftimenta

mea,

et

fuper veftem

meam

miferunt

fortem.

"

Ps. xxi, 19. Diviferunt

veftimenta (milites)

ejus,fortem

mittentes."

S. Matt., xxvi, 35. K

2

132

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

obliged to
not

abandon naked And

the

convent

of Church

Fiefole ?

Does

Chrift

the reprefent the

are

and
coat

herefy?
without

feam,
who

by fchifm ftript foldiers difputing two for the they not the two competitors
to

of the

Gregory XII,

want

inveft

themfelves

with

papacy?
The

Crucifixion.
He
was

"

He

was

wounded ."And

for

our

quities, ini-

bruifed the

for ouriins."

were

come

to

placewhich
a

is called

they Calvary,they
of the

when

crucified This The Lord

to to
us

Him

there."1
prayer
at
:

picfure is
has his
even

the the

foot open

Crofs.
of
our

facrifice is confummated

fide
to

poured

out

water

and The
new

blood,
Adam

prove

inexhauftible and

love.

feems

awake

breaft the
are

contemplate the fpoufetaken from his during his fleep. His eyes are opened upon
is before

Church, which
converted who had
;

him.

His

executioners
his

the

centurion
him

confefTes
and

divinity ;
drink love. and

he

given
him
are on

gall
full of

vinegarto
and

raifes towards The foldiers

eyes

repentance

their

knees,

holdingthe lance with which he ftruck that reftored his the precious blood S. John and the holywomen right, fupportthe
of

Longinus, frill him, gathersup light. On the

Mother ful beautiis
as

Grief, who
as

fwoons of the
"

away. Stabat.

This

group

the chant Burial.

The His

Him be

the Gentiles

mail

befeech,and
the

fhall fepulchre

"Jofeph wrapped glorious."

iniquitatesnoftras,
attiitus eft

Ipfe autem
"

vulneratus

eft

propter

et

propter

fctlera noftra.

liii, Ifaias, 5.
in

Poftquam

venerunt

locum

qui

dicitur

Calvarie, tin crucifixerunt

eum.

"

S. f.rike, xxiii,33

134
am

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

ftill with is He rifen,

thee." is
not

"

You

feek

Jefus

of

Nazareth

He

here."1
is fitting holy women Saviour's body lay. Two the
to

The
upon

angel who
the
women

fpeaksto
where the down three

llone

young
of the

ftoop
The

look
are

into

the

interior their

grotto.
in the

Marys
us

: retiring

attire, by
admired

its noblenefs, reminds Paradife of

of that of the Saints

at

Orcagna,

Santa

Maria

Novella.
The and Lord up He

Afcenjion.
flew upon

"

He

afcended

above

the
"

heavens,
And the taken

the He

wings
had

of the wind."

Jefus,after
the

fpoken to them,
is painting,

was

into heaven."2 In upper

part of the
of
our

feen and

nothing
nous the lumi-

but

the bottom circle

Lord's

garment,

The furrounding him. Apoftlesand difwith the Holy Vigin at their head, are kneeling ciples, drawing is within a circle, and follow him with their eyes who his fenfible from prefence
announce

them. his

Two
return

angels
at

{landingnear
end

them

to

them

the

of the ages. all My fpirit upon fons fhall prophecy." all They were the Holy Ghoft, and they began to fpeak tongues."3 "I will

Pentecoft. nefh, and your

filled with with

pour

out

"

divers

Refurexi

et (exfurrexi)

adhuc

tecum

fum.

"

Ps. cxxxviii, 18.

eft hie.
"

Jhefum
9

Nazzarenum queritis

hon crucifixum ; furrexit,

.
. .

S. Mark,
ventorum.

xvi, 6*
"

Afcendit

fuper

celos

[cherubim')

et

volavit

fuper pennas

Ps.

xvii, it.
Deus Jhus

poftquam

locutus
meum

eft

eis, affumptus eft

carnem,

in celum.

"

S.Mark,

xvi, 19.

Effundam

Spiritum

fuper omnem]

et prophetabunt filiiveftri.

"

Joel, ii,28. Repleti funt

omnes

Spiritufanfto

et

ceperunt

loqui variis Unguis.

"

Aft.

Apoji.,

ii,4.

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

135

The
a

upper

part of the
The illuminated

church-tribune.
heads

fupper-room is open, like with Apoftles and difciples,

the divine furround fire,

their the

with

Holy Virgin. Before the clofed door, five perwhofe head-drefTes mark them be of foreign to fonages, their aftonifhment and teftify nations,are liftening, at fame word in different languages. one underftanding The Coronation I faw the Lord of the Virgin. and all a throne fitting high and elevated upon the houfe was the taberfull of His majefty.""Behold nacle
"
. .

of God and

with

men,

and

He

hath

dwelt

with

them;
with

they

fhall be

His

people, and
to
us

God

Himfelf

them
This

fhall be their God."1

picture feems
faints. The up

to

the reprefent
centre

nion commu-

of

luminous the Chrift

whence all the

the rays

ifTue which the

light
Jefus

faces

of

faints,is

fymbol of

uniting all
and

the faithful

the power

of the Sacraments
not

by
His

the

by outpouring of

charity. Our Lord was the Holy Ghoft ; He

His mother
In

fatisfied with work

crowned of

fending us by making
and

and

ours,

Queen

Heaven, of grace
Tabernacle in
fince

mercy. God united

her, alfo,is truly the

with
men,

where He has

communicates

Mary

in order to diftribute all His treafures, together them to us through her. A proof that Beato Angelico has wifhed to reprefent of of Saints by the Coronation the Communion to the Virgin, is,that he has given no individuality

Vidi

Dominum

sedentem
"

fuper

folium

exeellum

et

elevatum.

Et

plena

domus

majeftate ejus.
tabernaculum
et

vi, 1,3. Ifaias,

Dei
cum

(Inexaft.)
et

Ecce

cum

hominibus
eorum

habitavit
"

cum

eis, et ipfi populus

3.

ejus

erunt

ipfe Deus

eis crit

Deus.

Apoc, xxi,

136
any made Church

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

of the them in

at her iriumph. He perfonages affifting of thofe who form only reprefentatives

has the the

heaven have

and
none,

on

earth.
and

Some
are

have

others aureola,

many upon

accompanied
with foliciis the Church the
are

who by angel-guardians, tude and affection. The

and

look

them

indicated

by

pope

of hierarchy a bifhop with Beiide them

tiara and of religious both fexes

mitre,without
various and the of

the aureola. below

them,

orders, and
different

the

of laity thofe

All profeffions.
as

ground cannot Jefus and Mary,

of

yet
await

but

kneelingon contemplate the glory of that happinefs in the joy

hope.
We do
not

pretend to explaineach of the fiftyeight ravifhingfigures of this picture. It would the painter himfelf to reveal to us the beauty require of his thoughts. What is the meaning of the young ing girland knight crowned with flowers ; the king holda rofe,and the angel who feems to wifh to open a
vafe for him littleprecious
on

? The

two

muflcians

playing

their

inflruments,do
and then muft he made
and

art

in its fweeteft

Angelico might
his brufh. the He when faints, Our Lord

Chriflian they not reprefent moft fpiritual ? Beato expreflion them with have been placed near have been in communion with

this

the

picturefo pure and perfect. Holy Virgin are admirable :

of the fame

they
their

are

clothed
were

in

garments
with

colour,
flefh.

as

fouls

clothed

the

fame

The

effect of this

is trulyheavenly. compofition The of the Life of our Lord pictures prefent great differences in merit and execution. Heavy and badlydrawn others of exwith figurescontraft fometimes

LIFE

OF

OUR

LORD.

137
and

exactnefs traordinary

in

movement

elegance of
and
un-

drapery. Sometimes,
finifhed, whilft
freedom and finifh.

the alio,

work

is hard

it is almoft Muft

always

remarkable be

for

explained of genius and the negligencesof by the inequalities ? If we believe Vafari,our muft improvifation painter reconfidered his firft thought. We do not think never fo. Genius does not certainly always maintain itfelf the fame at elevation,and the humility of Beato which Angelico might make him renounce perfections have for him would merited more glory before men. the painter, But like the orator, when lefs infpired, does not do not find Beato we change his ftyle ; and Angelico'sftylein the defects we have pointed out. We then by the joint-labour will explainthem of his brother Fra Benedetto. The latter cultivated painting : Valari tells us that he was in it, very well practifed
and have of that he aflifted his the brother in in and his works. the that
two

this difference

We

ftudied the
convent
us

large miniatures of San Marco,

hand

choir-books

ftudy

has

enabled fometimes

to

the diftinguifh

of the

brothers

picture.1 the works We of Fra fhall,therefore,diftinguifh from Benedetto Beato Angelico's, not by the greater lefs quantity of or gold they have put into their Chevalier Roffini but as by the propofes,2 pictures, the procefTesof execharacter of the drawing and cution. Benedetto's Fra generally perfonages are too broad, and the are dumpy and ill-fet ; their heads
1

in the fame

Ben

vero

che ed

far

quefti fu

aiutato

da

un

fuo

maggior fratello che

era

fimil-

mente
3

miniatore

aflai efercitato

nella pittura.

Storia

della

Pittura

Italiana, vol. ii,ch.

xvii, p. 257.

138

BEATO

ANGELICO

AS

THEOLOGIAN.

extremities

badly
His whilft

joined

the

feet

efpecially
with

are

often

difagreeable.
brown

figures
thofe

are

iketched Beato and

heavy
pared pre-

touch,
with

of

Angelico
the The the and fame better

are

very
is of

great
a

lightnefs,
brilliant and red. with

touch,
two

hardly
brothers

perceived,
worked but talent Beato for

without

rivalry
had his

infpiration
cultivated

Angelico rendering

happier

own.

Chapter

VII.

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE."

THE

LAST

JUDGMENT.

HE
two

Life

of

our

Lord

is doled

byand

compofitions,the fummary
of it.

conclufion the has Laft tion Law

They
which

reprefent
the

of Love
to

Gofpel
and the fanc-

given
of it.
to

the

world,

Judgment,

which

is the

Doubtlefs,

it

was

difficult

exprefswithin
of
: religion

narrow

compafs
of the the
ment two

the

fundamental

truths

the

unity

Teftaments,
and

the fulfilment

of the

prophecies,
evrablifh-

revealed of the

the accomplished myfteries, the

Church,

dogmas
of
a

of

the

faith, the

the hopes reign of charity, the has

means
overcome

of

arrivingat
the of and the

it.

perfect happinefsand how Beato See Angelico

ground
the covered

difficulty. picture,on
raifed
a

In with

the

middle

verdure

flowers, is

triumphant

140

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

Crofs. the
new

It is the

Tree

of Life

plantedin
has
can

the

midft

of

earthlyparadife.It
has faved
us

produced
A

the divine

Fruit which
us,

its fhadow
us

and

its
waves

fap

render
; to

fertile.

ftandard way and

there
us

it is the the which

fign to

protect crofs-bearing point out the

the ftaff articles of the
nativitas.
IN

alone

animate
a

combat.

Around

is rolled Creed
PASSIO. SPIRITUS NUM. are

banderol, on
indicated
:

the twelve
jhs.
ADVENTUS CUM VITA SCIS. ETERNA.
xps.

deus ASCENSIO.

pater,

RESUREXIO. SANCTUS. SUSCITATIO

MUNDO. CRIMI-

ECCLESIA HOMINUM.

VENIA

On

both

the perfonages of fides,

the Old

and

New The

Teftament

repeat the Creed

with

fublime

accord.

their banderols, whereon prefent Prophetsand Apoftles read. texts are They have all had the correfponding fame what

God,
the

the

fame

the faith,

fame

Redeemer

and

Prophets hailed in the rilingglimmer of dawn, the Apoftleshave contemplated in the broad of day. light
Jeremias mall
not

has ceafe

faid
to

Thefe

fhall call
"

me

Father, and
: I replies

walk

after Me.

S. Peter

believe

in

God, the Father

The Lord hath And S. John.

Almighty.
faid
unto

David.

Me:

Thou

art

My
our

Son. Lord.

"

in

Jefus

Chrift His

only Son,

Ifaias. Behold a virginfhall conceive, and bear a conceived S. James Son. (son of Zebedee). He was of the Holy Ghoft, born of the VirginMary. All fhall look upon Zacharias. Me, becaufe they
"

have

crucified Me.
was Pilate,

"

S.

Andrew.

He and death

fuffered buried.
;

under

Pontius Osee.

dead crucified, will be

death, I

thy

I hell,

will

l\l

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

The with

foot feven The

of

the

Crofs

is formed

of

candleftick ments. Sacra-

the branches, reprefenting Blood of Jefus grace in Chrift the

feven

is the

oil which Banderols

feeds

the

lightof
in the New

Church.

paffedin
Sacraments Old
and

the branches

of the candleftick

point out
texts

the

order,and following
which
were

the
to

of the

Teftament "All
"

refer

them. the cloud

Baptism.
and

in Mofes Go
and

in baptized, all

in the fea."

teach

nations, baptizing

them."

Confirmation.
"And

"

Seek

the

Lord, and be ftrengthened."

thou

being once
"

converted, confirm

thybrethren."
"

ftood in their order." Thou priefts art a accordingto the order of Melchifedech." prieft Euchariji. Melchifedech brought forth bread and This is My body : do this for a commemorawine." tion Orders.
" "

The

of Me." Penance. its fin."

" "

If

foul hath finne do penance, God is a hath

d, let it do penance
you mail

for

Except
"

you

all periiTi."

Marriage.
put afunder."
in Chrift and

"What This

joined,let no man great Sacrament, but I fpeak

in the Church."

omnes Afpicient

ad

me

quoniam
;
ero

confixerunt.
tuus,
"

"

Zacharias, xii, 10.

"

5. 6.

O Qui

mors,

ero

mors

tua

morfus

inferne !

Ofeas,xiii,14.
Malach., iii, 5.

edificat in coelo afcenfionem ad

de
vos

fuam.
ero

Amos,
"

ix, 6.
Sophon.

7. Et accedam
8. 9.
10. 11.

in judicio et

teftis velox.
terram.
rex.
"

Effundam Comunicabit

meo fpiritu mecum

fuper omnem
bonis.
"

Joel, ii,28. viii, Sapient, 9.

Malach.

de
omnes

Solomon

Deponet
Educam
12.

Dominus
vos

noftras. iniquitates

"

Micheas, vii, 19.

Daniel.

de

fepulchrisveftris populus
alii ad vitam

meus.

"

Exechiel,

xxxvii,
12.

Evigilabunt(omnes)
2.

eternam

et

aliiin

opprobrium
.

"

Ezechiel.

Daniel, xii,
The them

painter is often
from memory.

miftaken

in

pointing out

his

texts

no

doubt

he

wrote

THE

LAST

JUDGMENT.
fhall make lick among

43

Extreme of health.
"

Unclion.
"

"He
one

up you.

ointments Let him

Is any

let them and him, bring in the priefts, pray over anointing him with oil: and the prayer of faith fhall if he be in lin,it fhall be and fave the lick man,

forgivenhim."1 the rightof On

the perlbnifies fword and
a

the of

Crofs, a
Love. like

nimbed She does

female
not

figure
hold
a

Law

clofed in

book,
truth
arms

Solomon, who
without
a

represents
Her book is

the Old open, fhadow. thefe

Law

the

vilion

of Ezechiel.
now

becaufe
Her
lex

the

is

figure and
infcribed with Therein
our

only
amoris

is

fhield of

words,

(theLaw

Love).
To
us :

is the whole has and

1

come

to
as

the new commandment Gofpel, teach by His life and words, God
of the in
2. eos. gentes baptizantes

Lord

love God this law

men,
Thefe
are

Himfelf
: picture
"

has

loved

the

texts

Bactismus.

Omnes
i

Moyfe

baptizati(eftis) funt

in

nube

et

in

mari.

"

S. Paul,

Cor., x,
omnes

Ite, docete
Confirmatio. Tu

"

S. Matt., xxviii, 19. confirmamini.

"

Quaerite

Dominum,

et

Ps., civ, 4.

aliquando converfus
Saceidotes
facerdos

confirma

fratres

tuos.
"

"

S. Luke, xxii, 32.

Ordo.
Tu
es

fteterunt

in ordine

fuo.

Paralip,xxx,
"

16.
v,

fecundum

ordinem

Melchifedec.

Ps., cix ; Heb.

"

6. 18.
"

Eucharistia. Hoc
eft

Melchifedec corpus
meum.

proferens panem
Hoc

et vinum.
meam

xiv, Gene/is,
commemorationew.

enim

facite in

S. Lake,

xxii, 19.
Si peccaveritanima, agat pcenitentiam pro

Penitentia. Nifi S. Luke,

peccatofuo. Levit.,v.
"

pcenitentiam xiii, 3.

(egerris)halueritis,
Quod Deus

omnes

fimul

peribitis. (Jimiliter)
"

Matrimonium.
x,

ergo

conjunxit,

homo

non

feparet. S. Mark,
"

9.
Sacramentum hoc

magnum

est, ego

autem

dico in XPo

et

in Ecclefia.

"

S. Paul.

Eph., v,

32.
unctio.

Extrema Infirmatur ungentes

viabit
eum eum

Un"iones
in vobis ?

conficiet fanitatis.
"

Ecclus.,xxxvni, 7.

quis
oleo

Inducat

et orent prefbyteros {Ecclefce),

et

fuper eum,
et

{in nomine
et

Domini),

oiatio

fidei falvabit infirmum, ei.

"

allc-

Dominus,

fi in peccato

remittetur fit,

".

James,

v,

14.

144

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

includes
to

all

others;

and

the The

Church Church

is eftablifhed is the law of

realize the

and

fpread it.
and

of

living
the

eternal weak

love. like
;

The this fhe

fpoufe

Chrift

is artless book

and

holding
attire

and

fhield
no

young has no

female other her

but

her
no

poverty,
other makes
and

other but

fword her law

but of

doctrine,
lex amoris.

power the

love,
tects profeet
one :

She feeble

martyrs

triumph,

the fhe

eftablifhes and of will

the

lays the mighty at their family and fociety. Love

laws
no

another,
the and fword peace

all human will juftice

will

become

ufelefs

longer find the guilty, reignthroughout all the earth.

Chrift
art.

The

law

of love which
new

has S.

come

to

give the

world, is alfo the

on

law of of S.

Jerome,
"the

ing comment-

the

verfe

Matthew,

forth proceed out of the mouth, come of the foul is not, as Plato fays, in fays, the principle in the heart." the brain, but, accordingto Chrift, This,
" "

things which from the heart,"

it feems

to

us,

is

an

admirable
art.

diftincliion between
is
a

Pagan
the

and

Chriftian is the

mouth

moft
art

of placesthe principle in the will

true
:

of which language, fublime Antiquity organ. in the intellect ; Chriftianity, re-eftablifhed intellect, are the foul in its the
means

Art

our

Lord

has and The

centre.

Memory
of the will.

and

minifters and it
our

will is free and and

heart is its throne

empire;
it is
to to

it may

fupreme, uphold
this
one

God Himfelf, and againft thing,which may trulybe ours

fubdue

do, that the Word

S.

Quae

autem

procedunt de

ore,

de

corde

exeunt.

"

Matt.,
in

xv,

18.

Principaleigituranimae
Chriftum
in corde.

non,

iecundum

Platonem,

cerebro

eft, fed juxta

{Catena aurea.)

THE

LAST

JUDGMENT
of creation in order God
and

145

has

wrought
He
our

all the

marvels
a

has taken

heart
we

by

heart

only can

honour iflue
drawn

redemption. to captivate ours ; and pleafe Him.

the brain of

Greece

made

Minerva has

from

Jupiter;
the Heart its

the Church of

Chriftian
Art has

poetry from
never

Jefus Chrift.
of the

Pagan

loved

gods ;

it has

the exprefTed

beauties the

of nature, of

the
man.

intoxication Perfonal

fenfes,or
been of the love the

terrors
;

intereft has
or

its fole aim

the
:

palms
whilft

of

Olympus
who

the bounties
art

Emperors
and end make

the

life of Chriftian is the

is,to
and

Him

loved its

firft caufe

of it.

There

miffion

like lies,

that of the

fide this law This difarmed work of law

and
our

of love of

and martyrs, and outApoftle it fees only falfehood and vanity. beautiful have
on

love, fo
has
to

and
a

fweet, but
fanction.
:

fo

muft forgotten, Lord

not

The has

ended

earth

all He

faid and the folemn

to
us

done, is,fo
act which

for only the preparation fpeak, the ages, and open

will terminate fcenes of

the boundlefs

in all His

to majefty,

: Chrift will come eternity judge the livingand the dead.

is the race day of the human The moft fublime art can fubjecl: reprefent. alone was able to give its match. religion laft

The

vafteft and Chriftian Heathen

of death a antiquityhad imagined in the fhadows each foul went whither to receive its myfteriousplace, fentence but ployed feparately; paintersand fculptorsemthe joys of the little in expreffing themfelves of the infernal regions fields and the torments Elyftan recounted by the poets. The theology of the fiaft offered beyond the prefent, only fucceffive changes of the metempfycoiis, which granted delaysto crime, and

146
allowed it
to

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

brave
was

its doctrines The

All in juftice indefinitely. obfcure individual. and indeciflve, has made

to

divine

alone Gofpel-light of time and

on

mine
an

on

the

confines

the threfhold

of

immutable earth and

that eternity,

laft

fcene, in which
when
account

heaven,

hell, all ages, peoples and

: together

conditions

will be the Saviour of his

called will

that decihVe demand will be

moment
an

come

and

of each

when life,

all actions

judged,
who

truth

made

plain, hiftory
delirable after

explained and
moment, mall be when

Providence thofe

glorified;that
have
thirfted

juftice
of the of this

fatisfled. fully the great poem fublime This fubjectwas artifts. Sculptors mediaeval placed it at the

doors In

cathedrals,
his

as

at

the

entrance

of

heaven.
Chrift

virion prophetic
on near

of the Laft furrounded

Judgment,
the
text

is feated

throne

by angels and
of her the towards the
name

and faints, law.

to

him#is the
advocate

Crofs, as

The ferve

Virgin without
as

fpot bends
us.

Son,

for

S. John the the

or Evangelift

S.

John

Baptiftintercedes in Angels found

tombftones up their bofom, whilft the
:

of

love the

and dead

tence. peniraife

trumpet, and
are

the bleffed

led into Abraham's down into the

reprobate are
On

caft

yawning jaws of
and their virtues
are

hell.

the lower

courfes,the vices
receive theme with is the rendered

which, higher up, reprefented,

or

chaftifements

rewards. middle ages

Such

in the fculptors incredible variety.

which

have

of this kind offered their indelible Reprefentations there all found in the public inftruclion fquares ; and ceafe its violence, fears or hopes. If tyranny did not

THE

LAST

JUDGMENT.

147
it

fervitude

at

leaft

was

confoled, when

perceived,

the glory of virtue and the beyond the pangs of life, of eternity. delights The great fchool of Giotto was fo vail worthyto paint which the genius of Dante had explained a fubjecl, to it. Orcagna efpecially in manner, gave it an admirable the church of Santa Maria Novella, and under the of the Campo Santo. But Beato Angelico, in galleries the reprefentation of the Laft Judgment, has furpaffed all who have preceded and followed him, by comprehenlion of the fubjecl:, beauty of composition and grandeur of character. The oldeft Laft Judgment by Beato Angelico is the Lord. It is inferior to one doling the Life of our the others,but ftill prefents beauties of the hrft to This the lize of the double order. compolition, is framed, like them, with texts of other pictures,

Holy Scripture. Let ; for valleyof Jofaphat

"

the

nations will I

come

up
to

into the

there

lit

nations/'
and

"

He

lhall lit upon

the feat of
"

judge all His majefty,

"

Come judge the good and the bad." ye blelfed the kingdom preparedfor you." of My Father, poffefs lire."1 into everlafting Go, ye curfed, in the midft of a circular glory; Chrift is litting the S. John Baptift, and near him, the Blelfed Virgin, of Orders and the founders are ranged on Apoftles, the
1

clouds
Afcendant
"

of heaven.
gentes
in

In

the

lower

part, the refurut

vallem

Jofaphat; quia

ibi fedebo,

judicem

omnes

gentes.

12. Joel, iii,

Sedebit
xxv.,

fuper fedem

fuae (et judicabit bonos majeftatis

et

malos).
"

S. Matt.,

31. Patris mei

;

Venite, benediai
xxv, 34.
a

poffidete paratum
eternum.

vobis

regnum.

"

S.

Matt.,

(Difced)ite

me,

maledifti,in ignem

"

S. Matt., xxv,
L

41.

148
re

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

ifluing perfonages make their tomb, whofe from and geftures expreffion their different lots. known the right, On a floweryon turf,the blefTed of every ftate contemplate the heaven awaitingthem, and receive the fraternal kifs of their whilft on the reprobateare the left, guardian-angels ; by devils into hell. dragged pell-mell The part of this compofitionis admirable. upper Chrift is calm and terrible : his upliftedright hand is full of power. His half-opened garment lets the The of his fide be feen. wound adjuftment of his
dead in
two

61 ion of the

is fhown

mantle

has

fulnefs

and The

noblenefs
two

which

recalls the
com-

fineft Greek

types.

groups

of faints

pofing his tribunal may be compared with thofe feen If Raphael in the Difpute of the Holy Sacrament. has a purer defign,a more learned pencil and more varied lines, Beato Angelico has graver attitudes, more character ; truthful expreffions and a more religious
and
was

in relative talent, it muft the interval of elect

aftonim

us

that

there
two

nearlya
ftill on

century
the

between breathe

the

painters. The
the

earth

peace,

of happinefs, and all that ienfe of love certainty which fo well how and adoration Beato Angelico knew to give. The are paintedwith extraordinary reprobate force freedom of pencil. They and prefentforeof the which remind and movements, us fhortenings hell and thunder-ftricken in the of Luca Signorelli frefcoes of this of the cathedral
at

Orvieto.

The

two

fides

compofition are
: an

united

angel who is the bad, drags along one damned, whofe geftureand all the anguifh of defpair. figureexprefs
group

able togetherby a remarkthe good from feparating

150
itfelf. At the

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

feet

of

Chrift,

an

angel

raifes

triumphant Crofs, and two others are frill founding the human race. long trumpets, which have wakened his On right, Mary, clothed with a long white
robe ftudded with colour her ftars of
and

lined

with her

green

(the
tender

emblematic crofTed look of

on

hope),with
towards

hands Son
a

timidly
On his

breaft, raifes
prayer

her

love

and

for

poor

mortals.

left,S. John
to

Baptift prefents the

if
to

fymbolicallamb

the

the

Supreme Judge, as of Angels, are Queen

the fide of the

Jofeph,at
her;
filver

Peter, with

Behind appeafehim. the greater! of the faints : Mary, and as if protected by gold key of paradifeand the
;

key of purgatory; Paul, with his fword with David, with his harp; Francis of Affifi,

Mofes;

his

bright

ftigmas; Stephen, his the joy of martyrdom ;

impreffed with and many others. Light white their feet ; and long rays of fire glitter clouds enfhroud on them, for they are alreadyin the every fide around bofom of celeftial glory. Nothing can equal the exprefhon of all the heads, that ineffable mingling of with calm and ferene beatitude and of holy reverence, the burft of divine juftice The which ftrikes them. moft exacting imagination remains fatisfied and even himfelf writes,that the furpaffed ; it feems, as Vafari
all fouls The with
avenue

figure

of lower

the

blefTed

cannot

be

otherwife

in

heaven.

part of the
half and

the upper of open

pictureperfectly correfponds is occupiedwith a long centre : the empty graves, and the perfpective
with the great tomb has of

of

them

is terminated is

Chrift,
up.
one

which The

alone

it clofe, becaufe

to give nothing ;

judgment

is

being pronounced

and

every

THE

LAST

JUDGMENT.
the left,
damned

15
of every born feared in
to
an

knows

his lot. whom

On
our

the

clafs,
age

amongft

Beato

(although
not

of fanaticilm

and

has oppreffion)
a

kings,cardinals by a throng of
of the

and

devils

where picture, feven

place monks, are dragged great many hell at the extremity towards the feven capital fins are feen
at

punifhedin
of his three here the may better be

different circles; and of

the

bottom,

the great Lucifer

Dante, devouring a finner in each

On what the

chaps.
feen
to

right,are
how
an

the

elect

and

degree Chriftian
with the moft

genius gets complete heaven, and adoring

of

and difficulties, reconciled the head

inconceivable

variety may be unity: all have

look
on

raifed towards

their
not

Saviour, whilft
one
a

thanking

and

him,
firft

and

is

like whofe

his

rank,

is

pope,
to

neighbour. In the calm and tenance lofty counjoy

him,
a

feems

the exprefs efpecially hard labours

;

of
an

repofe
emperor,
and
even

after

his of

behind then has

type
the heaven

Chriftian
a

chivalry ;
who pilgrim,

belide
to

king
;
a

poor young

king, journeyed

all radiant with princefs bifhops, layreligious, purity and faith ; very many men and monks of ravifhingbeauty, but in whom it is well feen that the phyfical beauty is only the fee the outward beaming of moral beauty. But whom who guardian-angels go feeking the elect, over during the time of trial. Each they have watched angel is kneeling at the fide of his elect, impreffes his* lips, him and then conducts fraternal kifs upon a
to

heaven

acrofs faved
in

a men

flower-enamelled dance

meadow,
antes

where cho-

angels and

Cant together, Both

are

rofqueducentes

occur/km regis.

crowned

I52
with white and

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

red

rofes

and

in the

iingle expreffion

holding each other, there is a treafure of poetry. The round and two two being flnifhed, they Its glitwing away towards the heavenlyJerufalem. tering feen in the diftance ; the half-opened walls are of golden rays to efcape, in the portalallows a torrent midft of which *of the bleffed are two being loft, it be an angel and an elect,or two fouls who have may loved each other and been faved together.
" '

of their

hands

Sufo

alle pofte rivolando

iguali. Purg.,
"

c.

viii.

of a frefh and preftige correct a colouring, defign without anatomical pure of perfectgrace, and draperies exaggeration, expreffions of countenance fhall have trulydivine,and we ide" of this Laji Judgment. When have a feeble we remain feen and underftood we it, quite cold before that of Michael Angelo."1
"

Add

to

this

fketch

the

Du

Vandalifme

et du

da?is VArt, Catholicifme its fummit fide

ones

p. 99.
is in the

["
the

It is about
one

feven

palms long, and

; in that
are

form The

of three arches, Final

central

and being largeft,

one

the two
on

fmaller.

Judgment
in that
on

occupies the central

the

the

he right,

painted Paradife ; and

of

Hell. left,

The
his

figures

of the
"

dimenfions
But
more

thofe which
than

he
even

painted

on

the

gradini of
and

pi"ures."
the idea

....

charming

this, are
who tected proin

the kifles and

embracings which
on

the

Ele"t
of

interchangewith

the

Angels

guided them
The

path
of the

peril. Kneeling, they clafp each

to exhibit

other

heavenly affeftion. veneratingin thefe

and the

painter, probably,was glorified.The linkinghands

beauteous
of each and

the

angels, angels
a

bodies, humanity
we

between greetings

the

eleft terminated, enamelled

fee them moft

gracefully dancing on
Their

fweet with

meadow,
innumerable and
Then

with

flowers.

garments
with forehead
a

gliften garland
of each

little golden ftars ; the head

is wreathed
on

of white

red

rofes,whilft

brilliant littleflame
even

burns
the

the

angel.
and the

and light, aery, graceful,

during

dance
the

abforbed

in ecftatic

and contemplation,carolling
nearer

fingingthey advance
to

towards

celeftial Jerufalem;
do their
to

they approach
arrived laft,
at

it,the
the

more

etherial and the

luminous

bodies
trans-

become

; tillat

gates of

holy city,they

appear

be

THE

LAST

JUDGMENT.
remains for
us

153

After
to

this fine

it defcription,

only

the execution fome obfervations of the on prefent for picture. The light, part is admirable upper The lower part is far from offering and purity. colouring The the fame qualities. compofition of it is but the figures fine,and the groups well difpofed ; How fhort and are trail: ill-defigned.1 explain this con? hefitate to perceive in this picture We do not the joint workmanfhip of the two brothers, Beato The attentive ftudy of Angelico and Fra Benedetto. the painting will juftify, we hope, what we have faid of the flyle of the two artifts. There and execution their talents ; but was a great inequalitybetween retouch his broBeato modefl ther's too to Angelico was them with his own. paintingsand harmonize He has begun the painting, and Fra Benedetto finifhed it, by copying doubtlefs the lower part of fome other Laft Judgment, of which this one be a to appears repetition.2 This which forms Laft Judgment is the one part of the gallery Fefch.3 A great number of Cardinal

muted

into

mod

lubtile and

refplendentfpirits ;
introduced
? into

and

then,

two

by

two,

holding
did the

each

other's

hand,
this We

they
fweet

are

eternal
was

beatitude. able
a

Where fuch

painter find
beauties ?

conception
our

How

he

to

develop
"

varied

confefs

to give or imagine inability

reply." Marchese,

by

Meehan,
1

vol. i, pp. 235,

has

238.

Translator's
this
tutto
"

note.]
"

P. Marchefe

remarked
e

difference.

quefta parte del dipinto, fe

nella
nel
2

compofizione non
come

del

cede infelice,

di

gran

lunga

al rimanente, cofi

difegno
On

nella

efecuzione

(p. 281).
traced with
a

the gold of the

"

framing thefe words,

point,are
Cardinal

read

beneath

the
3

hell,
I have

In
not

inferno nulla
been when
ran

redemptio." ejl
to

able
I
over was

ftudy
to

this had

pifture
the

at

leifure.
of

Fefch

died
to

in

1839, juft
and I that

have

honour of his

being

prefented
I have

him,

only

his

on gallery

the in

day

interment. of gallery

been

affined

this Laft

Judgment

is

now

England,

in the

Lord

Ward.

154
of artifts look lico. which that The Count
cannot

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

on

it

as

the

mafterpieceof
is the fame has
as

Beato the

Angeone

compofition
de be in

of

Montalembert

repeated.
the

All

given a defcription, its fuperiority lies in the

purity of drawing, fweetnefs of have been pencil and elegance of the figures. We able to together fome outline drawings of compare heaven with the elect,with the angels flying towards
execution,

Pompeii and Mufeum in the Bourbon at Naples.1 Thefe preferved black executed a on ground, are perhaps the pictures, moll perfect relics of ancient paintingwe poffefs. with the points^of refemblance They have many of Beato work of Angelico ; in the matter art,
at

the

celebrated

female

dancers

found

there

is the

fame

talent, the

fame

grace,

the

fame

but ration employed with a different infpi lightnefs, with The half-clothed and quite a different aim. difturb the fenfes, in tranfparent females draperies by their wanton The poftures and voluptuous forms. artift has

placed'them
fhades
a

on

black

ground,
has in

like evil

defires in the the walls of

of

our

heart,and

decorated
order
to

banquet-hall with
of

them,

debauchery amidft the pleafures the contrary, has conOur of the table. on painter, of his pencilto reprefent the joys fecrated the delicacy of ecftacyand the triumph of virtue : in the full light of truth, he has paintedheavenlydances, which infpire hope. The chafte figures flyingaway two peace and attract and and two purifyour foul, by detaching it
aroufe

thoughts

from
1

the
Sec

feduction

of

the
par

fenfes.
David,
graveur,

God
i

has
et

created
feq.

ef Hercuhtnum, Anliquitis

vol., p. 64

THE

LAST

JUDGMENT.

155

artifts as unfaithful
us

the
to

angels; according as they are faithful or Him, they remove us from, or bring

nearer,

the Creator.

Another Laft None

care
as

of Beato Angelicois the fmall mafterpiece Judgment in the Coriini Gallery,at Rome.1 of his pieces have been painted with greater and The love. compolitionis not fo extenlive others
:

the

it feems Chrift

to

have

been in and the

executed his

for

order. religious
one

is feated
;
are

glory :
other

with he

hand
an

he curfes open

the damned

in the

holds
and

book, wherein
In front of the hold

Omega.
the

him,

on

fymbolicalAlpha his right, is S. Peter

upon
and

with

his knees.

keys ; on They
heaven.
are

S. Paul with the fword left, open

text

books,
more two

the' fulfilment earth

and

of the Behind

ing might be hearunchangeable than

thefe

great faints of the

(S. Gregory ?); a Apoftles ; a pope ?) bifhop (S.Auguftin ?); a deacon (S. Lawrence ; and
two

Church,

the

founders of

of

orders, S. Benedict, S. Dominic

the upper of

and
as

S. Francis back

Aflifi. In
is
a

part and
the

the

-ground,
and of

multitude

angels variouflydifbottom

pofed
of the

charming expreffion. At tribunal, and in the azure Iky,an

angel with
world of the
;

golden wings raifes the Crofs which judges the the trumpet his right, an on angel makes his left, another heard ; whilft on refurreclion
fhows, with
with the
one

angel

hand, the

crown

of

recompenfe,and

other, the rod of chaftifement.

it and environs of

This the

pi"ure

and
came

two

others
out

which
a

accompany
in the

reprefent the Pentecoft

of

and

Afcenfion,

of

church

Florence, of which
in the

the Coriini
very

family had

the

patronage.
the

The

figure
been

Chrift

AJcenJion is

beautiful ; the

pictureof

has Pcntecnjl

retouched. unfortunately

156
In the lower blefTed from the

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

part,

line of empty

tombs

divides

the

both lides by on reprefented reprobate, of various orders. Again the angelscome to religious embrace, with overflowing joy,thofe who were entrufted
to

them

on

earth.

This

idea

was

like

devotion

in

that he Angelico; but it muft be remarked no never angelsembracing females,fearing, reprefents venly doubt, to aroufe fome profanethoughts by that heaBeato kifs.
and extraordinary energy of pencil. This picture, deftined for the invivacity reminds that Beato Angelico ftruction of a cloifter, us belonged to the part of the reform of which the great of Sienna had the Apoftle. The been S. Catherine vices of religious in it. The attacked are particularly
an

Hell

is

with exprefled

hideous

embraces

of devils contrail: with

thofe of the

angels. One hung purfe,

lifts from the dream

devil
at

his head

the

drags to himfelf a monk, whofe his crime ; another out neck, points of a Francifcan the cardinal's hat,
and the caufe of and
nun

of his All

ambition

his perdition.

thefe

exprefsremorfe figures
damned,
a

defpair.
raifes her

In the midft veil with

our
a

of the

terrified

which proves how greatly gefture, all the refources of his art. This poffefTed painter
dramatic

which has the dimensions of a miniature,has picture, of a monumental all the grandeur and ftyle painting. A fifth Laft Judgment attributed to Beato Angelico is in the Muleum
at

Berlin.

M.

H.

Fortoul Yet the

has

on eulogizedit in his work Germany.1 or perhaps a copy, of only a repetition,

this is

picture

V Art

en

/tllemagne, vol. ii,p. 248.

158

THE

LAW

OF

LOVE.

out

of
love

fcene.
of

Therein

is is

not

the

true

aim

of

art.

The leads of and God

glory
aftray
alone and
as

an

egotiftical
difturbs the

feeling,
The

which
love

genius
can

it

fociety.
True,
them in the

realize

Beautiful,
admirable

the

Good,

preferve

an

unity.

Chapter

VIII.

PICTURES

BT AND

BEATO CHURCHES

ANGELICO
OF

IN

THE

MUSEUMS

FLORENCE.

HE

painter of Fiefole particular churches,

Florence

has
convents

enriched and

chapelsof
Thefe

with

his

pictures.
to

mafterpieceswere
near

made

be

placed
the ftir Revolutions have in
torn

the
and

tabernacle, amidft

incenfe up them the

lights,in
of the their

order

to

piety they

faithful.

from where

fancluaries,to
contrail with all

expofe
around

them them. fo

mufeums,
Thofe and

Virgins, thofe
pure, the
are now

Chrifts,
found nudities the

thofe

angels
with

beautiful

mixed

and ordinary portraits

:

profane

of

the

RenaifTance in the the mind midft

an

they
of of

are

the

facred feaft.
a

veffels of Mufeums

temple
offer
to

Belthafar's

idea

and pillage and

proof
when

of

decay.
it
no

Art

is become

enflaved

mercenary,

longer

160

PICTURES

BY

BEATO

ANGELICO.

and offered its It went publicmonuments. and then the caprices of princes works to palaces ; filled with pictures were by intereft and vanity, infpired but have afterwards received better guerTs.They have and for other places made collected religious paintings other times. Mufeums are medleys like the world; works for each
us
one

can

there

choofe

friends after his heart.

Let fomevice

go

there and find him

feek Beato in bad

Angelico;
the
more

and

if

we

times

company,

will make The

his virtue of gallery

fhine

of prefence bright. of Fine Arts

at

the

Academy
in Beato

rence Flo-

is the Befides

richeft
we

thofe

have
we

Angelico'spictures. other fpoken of, it pofTefFes

about
to

which mafterpieces,
Without Defcent

are

examine. remarkable
room

the contradiction, from the

14.

moil

is the

Crofs, in the
Vafari informs "In

of

the

great
in the

No. pictures, church of

"

us

that it was

Santa

Trinita.
the

Santa

Trinita," he
that

fays,
from it may

in picture

a Defcent facrifty, reprefenting

the be

Crofs,is
reckoned

executed

with

fo much

care,

amongft the beft works he ever did."1 This is nearly and feventy metre one picture centimetres in height, and eightycentimetres in width:
the upper

part is divided into three ogives correfpondthe has is three been

ing
the
two

with

principal groups.
abandoned
to

The

fummit

of

Calvary
Crofs

the faithful

difciples ;

ladders down

take

death, and
1

of the compofition, placed in the centre the difciples to it, are fully applied refpect the body of our of Lord laid in the fleep S. John is going to receive it tenderly into
una

"

In

S.

Trinita
tanta

tavola

della fi puo

dove fagreftia
fra

un

depofto
mai

di

croce,

nel

quale mife

che diligenza,

meglioricofe

che

faceffe annoverare."

MUSEUMS

AND

CHURCHES

OF

FLORENCE.

161

his

arms.

This

The preffions. his fair body head

are

group Chrift bears the

is admirable is
a

for lines and

ex-

: defign very remarkable of the fcourging marks ; his on

is of
read

divine

purity ;
"

his cruciform

aureola
crown

the

words,

corona

glorie," the

of

glory; for He had need to fuffer thus, to enter into glory. On the rightof the Saviour, is the group of holy women bringing the linen for the burial ; his feet; and the S. Mary Magdalen is Hill killing him in the trance of grief. Holy Virgin contemplates The pious hand of the artift has written on her aureola the praife in her office : he was O Virgin reciting daily like unto thee," "virgo maria Mary, there is none The other females furrounding her similis." n. e. t. for their attitude and expreffion.On admirable are the difciples the oppolite fide, contemplate the fcene,
"

and

difcourfe with

on one

the Paffion hand the nails.

the

one

nearer!: the Crofs

fhows the

crown

of

thorns, and

with

render to impoffible in a more compaffion and gratitude finking manner. In the foreground of the picture, this group between and
to

other

the

three

It is

the the

central

one,

young

man

on

his knees

prays him.

his breaft,adores Saviour, and, ftriking lent the go him

all his
own
"

The

has painter beneath that

"

feelings.On
I
am

the frame among

is read, Chrift, down

to
mourn

counted

them

the

pit;"
as

beneath
an

the

holy women,
for He how
was

They

fhall

Him the
one

innocent

;" beneath
and dies,
no

only fon, Behold difciples,

"

the

Juft One
fum

thinketh

of it in

his heart/'1
1

Eftimatus

cum

defcendentibus

in lacum.

Plangent eum
Ecce

plandu quafifnperunigenitum, quia innocens.

moritur

quomodo

Juftus, et

nemo

corde. percipit M

62

PICTURES

BY

BEA70

ANGELICO.

Yet

this

fcene

of

anguifh

has

fomething
with
are

of

heavenly peace.
in

It is the the
tears

Paffion it caufes A and

meditated
to

love

folitude, and
all the

flow

fweeter

than

illumine
a

joys of earth. all the perfonages ;

divine the

lightfeems to has fpread painter

beneath their

beautiful The
as

carpet of flowers and

is executed landfcape

verdure with

feet. it is

incredible charms;

fine and

of lpeclives the cityof Jerufalem, and of Judea. Angels appear adoration the foul of
men.

lightfomeas the moll graceful perFlemifh fide,is feen pictures. On one

on

the

other,the

mountains in the makes Here

in the is
no

fky,to

unite

There

picturewhich
underftood.1 he

Angelicobetter the holy thoughtswith which are whofe the Count impreffions perfon, wifhed has greatly to us impart.
excefs of love of

of Beato

a young infpired

de She

Montalembert
wrote
"

Oh,
had

what

God,
dear

of immenfe Beato How in the

and

burning
tated medi-

muft contrition,
on

that

Angelico have
he muft have of

the

day

and
over cell,

painted it ! wept, that day,

he

depth
came

his little !

the of

ftroke feem
to

of our Divine fufferings the pencil, every tint which acts of forrow foul. What
. . .

Mafter

Every
from

it,

be fo many of his

and love
a

the bottom the

from iffuing moving fermon is

of fuch a picture ! delicious mafterO fight what ! Oh, what true a happinefs, piece grace, to be in this marvellous able to contemplate, reprefentation of of
1

our

Lord's

Paffion,the heart fo ardent

thus
the
are

and

contrite of

the
There Beato

which faint,
is
a

breathes

the
which

fentiments
has fome

Defcent

from There

Crofs, by Stamina,
found who
della is

refemblance carries the

But what

with
crown

Angelico's.
nails, and

in it,again,the

who difciple

and

the

one

kneeling in
t.

the

foreground.

! inferiority

(See Rosin

i, Storia

Pitlura,

xxxi.)

MUSEUMS

AND

CHURCHES

OF

FLORENCE.

163
his

forrow hours of

and

love

inundatinghis foul,during
calm O of folitude and in the
me,

palledin

the

long prefence
ceeding ex-

God.

Grant

Lord,
whilft fo

fome

part in this

that contrition,

works, my
this

heart

may

be

into religious, feraphic that I may think inceffantly urged by love, of entering into this road of the Thee to fend me troubles. Crofs,every time it pleafeth Perhaps I ought to limit my requeftto fubmiffion ; but it is I
too

contemplating thefe profoundly initiated, by the way of Thy forrows, of fharingin them, and

little. Oh

! yes, the I

force

of Thee

love, that
to

is what

fighfor,that is what after having feen all the me, Others look at them limply as
"

entreat

grant

Thy painter. of art. I myfelf works have them I feel it unfpeakable confrom drawn It is impoffibleto folation and deep inftruction."1 make a more eulogy on this picture. Has fplendid ? fuch feelings work of art infpired ever with little pictures, is framed This compolition as with precious is furrounded a diamond pearls. Thefe We pictures, twenty in number, are real m afterpieces. S. Lawrence, of will particularly point out, on the left, Francis of Affiii ; S. Michael, an admirably purity ; S. the head is fet off by his golden wings : on whofe and a ftone, S. Jerome, holding an iron difcipline right, his breaft bleed ; S. Stephen, he has made with which of charming youth ; S. Dominic, with the capuce on S. Peter the Apoftle, his head ; S. Peter Martyr ; and All thefe figures are holding the keys and book.
works
"

of

admirable upper

in execution

and

of great character. crowned with

I' Art, p. 97.
M

The

part of the
1

is picture
du

three

fub-

Du

Vandalifme et

dans Catholicifme

64

PICTURES

BY

BEATO

ANGEL1C0.

but attributed to Lorenzo jecls,not by our painter, monk. The degl'Angeli,a Camaldolefe fubjedb of them the at are, the Refurrection, the holy women and fepulchre, the Noli
me

tangere.1
the Crofs
to

[" The

painting of
;

the

Depofition from

is about
more

feven

palms high
in
a

by eight wide
the form
of

its upper

part is pointed, or,

are

fpeak
the

is intelligibly,

three

which triangles, The

divided
are

from

principalpainting by
and

gilded cornice.
former minute
more

points and
with

cornice many

chifelled beautifully the

painted, the
fome

being

ornamented

little hiftories, and

their

latter with
and

of figures

Saints, fomewhat
thofe

largerin
he executed

dimenfions,
the

far certainly

perfectthan
to

which

in

his ufual
as

idea, he here reprefentsMount

he
meant

trary Perugian painting. ConCalvary clothed with flowers and

and foot-prints
on

verdure,
Redeemer That fuch

though
caufed
was

to

fignifythat
be

the

blood accurfed of
the

of

the

the

moil

beautiful may

vegetation to flourifh
collected from is

that fact

hill.

the

idea painter's

the

diftant

mountains

in the

back
we

of ground (the perfpeftive

which

admirable,) being treepalm.

in On

lefs and fite fide

herblefs,if
is
a

except

here of

and

there

fome

ifolated

the

oppo-

good perfpe"ive
The

Jerufalem, defignedand
three groups
that ;

finifhed with the

centre

incredible
are

diligence.
lower fied is the

figures are
on

difpofed in
fteps
the of

two

who, difciples,

ftanding

the ; at

the

ladder foot two who

the

leans

againft the

Crofs,

the Redeemer's

body

ladder's
two

difciples fupportthe fanctiwonderful the body, and emotion

remains,

and

the youngeft of the

;
a

betrays fuch
earth, adores
have of died which

John Evangelift
to

fifth, proftrateon
to

railing

his hand The in group

his

his breaft
on

feems

fay,

Jhould

this

ignominious death.1'
the

the

left
and

fix figures, one prefents

in

holds

thorny

crown

right hand,
and

his

left the
he
. . .

bloody
exhibits Two
is one

nails wherewith them

to
an

the

Redeemer's
who
templates con-

hands

feet
them

were

pierced ; whilft profound dolor.

old

man

in of

of

the

difciples gaze
unable
. . .

intentlyon
his tears,
on

the

dead

body
face

Chrift, and
his of hands

in their midft and

who,

to

reftrain

buries

his

in

fobs

almoft

audibly.
would The

The

group and

the

rightis compofed Magdalene

Oh
! what eye

pious women.
feek her
at

Whofoever the

find the

tender

loving
Mother.

let him
and

feet of Jefus. laft kifs Grief

the
on

Angelico reprefentsher
her is the

fupportingthem
a

imprintingher
Mother
on

them.

Behind
have

woe-begone
knows
not or on

and
two

agony

fo wrung
reft
can
women
"

her

heart,
lifelefs
this the ; but whofe

that the

which

of

objects it fhould
women

the

body
work

of the and

Lord,

her, the moft

forrow

afflicted of

! ?

Who

behold hold

not

feel love and

and the
two

in ftirring

his heart

Two

winding-fheet,
the laft

others

contemplate
moft

the of

poignant anguifh
all ; it is that
fhe her

of
a

Mary

figure
thus is

at

fide is the
in
a

beautiful

of

woman over

whole

perfon is

robed

violet
the

mantle, which

gathers gracefully
face. the The

her the
or

bofom,
Redeemer

revealing only

exquifite beauty of

figure

of

and itfelf, perfection

nothing can

exceed

foftnefs of the

lines

66

PICTURES

BT

BEATO

ANGELIC

O.

of

S S. Cofmas

and

Damian.

Thefe inferior
to

two

are pictures we

and badly preferred find in the

much

thofe

mall

chapel of the Painters at the Nunciata. No. 39, a Madonna holding the Child Jefus. The ftyle recalls the painting at Perugia and Cortona. The head of the Virgin is of great purity. This of the with a reprefentation picture is furmounted Holy Trinity. of the Academy of Fine Arts The exhibition-room
offers No.
us

three 13.

other

very

remarkable

Madonnas. in
; two
a

The

BleiTed

mantle, holds the Child

in

Virgin, clothed Jefus on her knees

blue

brightred robes are behind her throne ; on S. Peter and S. Damian the Martyr, S. Cofmas ; on left,S. Francis, S. Antony and S. Auguftin. The architectural background recalls the defignsof Brunellefchi. This for drawing and pictureis remarkable : in the colouring. The gradinois not fo well preferred
centre, and

angels the right,

aPieta;

on

one

fide, S.Dominic,

S. Bernardine

the other, S. Peter on Apoftle ; and and S. Auguftin. Martyr, S. Mark No. 16 is probably the altar-piece executed byBeato ing AccordAngelico for the high altar of San Marco.1 of Vafari, it was of the moft to the teftimony one beautiful works of the artift, but its ftate of prefervation now leaves much The Holy Virginis to be defired.

S. Peter

the

Ma

particolarmente e
che

bella

maraviglia la
muove a

tavola

dell' altar
chi
a

maggiore

di

quellachiefa,perche femplicitafua, e quale

fono

oltre che la Madonna i fanti che le fono

divozione fimili
e

la guarda per la

intorno
e

fono

nella lei,la predella

tanto

ftorie del martirio

non
e

di S. Cofimo

Damiano,
veder

degli altri,e
cofa
"

ben

fatta, che
genza,
ne

poffibile immaginarfi
o

di poter

mai

fatta

con

piu diliis in

le piu delicate

meglio

intefe

figurinedi

quelle.

This

gradino

the chapel of the

Painters, in

the cloifter of the

Nunciata.

MUSEUMS

AND

CHURCHES

OF

FLORENCE.

l6j
On

feated upon
are right,

throne, furrounded
S. Francis

with
and

angels.
S. Peter
and

her

S. her

Dominic,

Martyr ;
S. Mark.
are

and

on

left,S. Lawrence, S. Paul

and

S.

Cofmas

Damian, patrons
All thefe

of the

Medici,

are perfonages grouped with great Ikill : there is no longer the fymmetry of the fchool of Giotto. The back-ground is decorated and garlands with architecture of flowers. A magnificent a carpet is fpread before the throne, whereon which the priefl: Crucifixion is painted, faw from the

kneelingbefore

her.

altar. No.

17.

This

pictureis well preferved.The

throne, and
the Child the

donna Maholds

is upon
an

her

Jefus

opened pomegranate, fymbol of would lead him to Calvary. His

him
are

which charity
plates contem-

mother the

with Cofmas

kind and

of fear.

Around S. and than

throne

S.

Damian,
Francis

Peter S. the

Martyr,
Lawrence.

S.

John

the

S. Evangelift, feebler in

This
ones.

pictureis

drawing
the

preceding
Florence,

On
one

enteringthe galleryof
of the firft

UfUzi,

at

the

is met we with, on the left, pictures executed by Beato Angelico altar-piece magnificent of flax -workers,1 about 1433. The Guilds

for the Guild of workmen Italian

played
them,

great part in the

Republics.
that condition

At

Florence, it
to

was

of the hiftory necefTaryto

;

belong to
and
on

in order

take

part in the government

priorof
thefe Guilds

ated only was Dante, in 1300, nominwhat have not to examine the city. We and for did, in the middle ages, for liberty
both ftate that
note.

Vafari

and

Marchefe

the

painting

was

executed

for the Guild

of

Joiners.

Translator's

68

PICTURES

BT

BEATO

JNGELICO.

will only remark that they developinginduftry ; we and the arts. were to intelligent powerfulprotections their constitution As was they eminently religious, raifed monuments, the fkilful mod chapelswhich artifts decorated ; and a noble rivalry exifted amongft the greateft make facrifices. to them, and led them and paid They carried on their work with perfeverance, with royal munificence. Tafte for the Beautiful was thus developed in the multitude, and remained art and dented to religious popular. The flax-workers fine altar-piece with have a doors,for their place of afTembling. They had afked a defign from Lorenzo did not them Ghiberti, which pleafe ; fo they applied Beato Angelico, better than and knew to our painter artift how that celebrated their defire and to fatisfy The devotion. panel was 29th, prepared October fettled the 1432 ;l and, July nth, 1433, the Guild conditions : following They have agreed with Fra
"
"

Guido,
be

called of

Fra

Giovanni,

of the

Order of

of S. Dominic,
our

Fiefole, to
with with

to

painted infide gold

all his

paint a tabernacle and outfide,with

and lkill and

Lady, colours, and

fineft
to

diverfified be and

filver the bell: and

: induftry

found,
for his

and

for all and

painsand labour, to have one ninetyflorins in gold,or what lefs he can in his drawing/'3 and with the figures
1

hundred in

confcience,

Baldinucci,

Notizip
frate

del difegno, decenn. diprofejjbri

vocato

2,

part i, " iv.

di S. Domenico arte,

Allogorono a
fuori,
con

Guido,
un

frate Giovanni
di noftra

dell' ordine nella detta

di

a Fiefole, dipingere e

tabernacolo
e

Donna,

dipintodi
che

dentro

con

colori, oro
fua
arte
e

argento

variato, de' megliori e

tutto
et

piu fini

fi

trovino,
fiorini

ogni

induftria, per
o

per fua fatica

parra
t.

manifattura, per cofienza,

e con

cento

novanta

d'oro,

quello
"

meno

che

alia

fua

quellefigure che

fono

nel difegno.

P. Marchese,

i,p. 235.

MUSEUMS

AND

CHURCHES

OF

FLORENCE.

169
He

Beato
was

Angelico was
of his and moll

faithful and

to

thefe conditions. it is
one

lavifh

gold

fkill : and

of his Bleffed all

broidered em-

richefl

remarkable with

pictures.
a

The

covered Virgin is entirely with the Child and

blue

mantle her in

gold. She holds,ftanding upon carries the world Jefus, who

his

knees,
left is

his

hand,

bleffes with

right.

The

Holy

Ghoft

hoveringin the upper part. The background of the picture is fpread with a magnificent curtain of cloth of gold. In the breadth of the frame, are painted twelve angels adoring and playing on various inftruments. Thefe mafterpiecesof gracefulnefsand angels are purity. We will efpecially point out the one clothed in a red robe and foundinga kind of crooked trumpet. the little doors of this altar-piece, On are reprefented, and S. Mark, inlide, S. John Baptift and outride,
S. Mark
and

S. Peter.

S. Mark

is

on

both

lides,

being patron of the This picture is

which muft have
a

flax-workers. executed
a

on

produced
little

very

ground of gold, happy effect in the

a

place,doubtlefs
It is
too
now

obfcure, where
the

it

was

fixed.

the

paintingappears is at tranfparent.The gradino of this altar-piece three fubjects. fide,and reprefents

too

much

and lighted,

Preaching of S. Peter. fhow be writing his fermon, to dictation of the gofpel under Apoftles.
1.

The

S. Mark that the he

feems
wrote

to

his the

chief

of

2.

beautiful

Adoration

of the

Magi.
the

3. The The the

Martyrdom
of

of S. Mark. the the

Coronation

Virgin, in
one

galleryof
of

Uffizi,is

later than

in

the

Mufeum

170
the

PICTURES

BY

BEATO

ANOELICO.

Louvre,

and

recalls many

parts of

it ;

but

the

airy and more compolitionis more heavenly. The fcene takes place in the fplendourof glory. From the bofom the centre, as from of God, golden rays ifTue and ferve for the background of all the picture. feated on light clouds. The Chrift and his Mother are ftudded with BlefTed Virginis clothed in a blue mantle
fmall fhe Son. red hand What

ftars,her hands down, with

are

croffed and

on

her

breaft, and

her towards refpect, The Saviour,vefted in a blue mantle and bright robe, is not crowning Mary, but ftretches out his her crown. add to to a magnificent diamond the artift ? What lege, privithought has infpired divine grace has he wifhed what to reprefent by bends love diamond? thus
to

this
not

We

do

not

know. which

But

could is

we

figure the Mary,

which A and To have in

honour

the Church

dering ren-

the dogma of the Immaculate proclaiming Conception? Is not this the faireft jewelin God deitined for her in the His eternal of and

the

crown

? defigns

troop of angels furround

celebrate her

Queen
dances

Heaven,
concerts.

triumph with
He has

paintangels fo beautiful,Beato
feen them.

Ange-

lico muft
and

heard

their them

fongs,
in all

fhared

thefe In clouds
us ones

joy, and charming figures.

the
two

their

he has reflected

lower groups

part
of

are on picture, difpofed male and female, faints, reminding

of the

of thofe
are,

in the Coronation S. Nicholas S. of

at

the Louvre.

The

chief

Bari, S. Giles, S. Dominic,

and
a

S.

Jerome,

Benedict,

S. Peter and

S. Paul.

S. Dominic

not

again holds a the fame, as it is

book
a

is but the head lily, face and bearded. three-quarter

MUSEUMS

AND

CHURCHES

OF

FLORENCE.

71

Amongft

the

female

faints,are
of who

remarked,
S.

S.

Mary

Magdalen, of Sienna,

S. Catherine and
one

Alexandria,
carries
a

Catherine

lighted lamp

virgins. Near this group, is alfo found S. Stephen,protectorof the weak, and S. Peter Martyr, executed was mafterpiece patron of virginity. This
like the wife for the Chartreufe
at

Florence.1
now

We

cannot

forbear
that

that regretting

it is

in

mufeum,

and

this

for praying and made meditating on heaven, picture, of the faddeft nudities is placed beiide one of the Renaiiiance. three other fmall pictures pofTefTes by Beato Angelico. of S. John Baptift. Zacharias 1. writing the name The is charmingly woman holding the ink-horn The fame
room

natural.3
2.

The
we

Marriage of
have
Taddeo

the BlefTed

Virgin.This fubject,
recalls the three

which

frefco of

already feen at Cortona, in the Gaddi, efpecially

cipal prin-

dove is a perfonages. In the two compofitions, branch of S. Jofeph,to mark placed on the blofTomed his purity. Death of the Virgin. The lowed painterhas fol3. The the traditional compolition. Our Lord holds the foul of the Holy Virgin, and bleffes her body, which foon be glorified muft in heaven. Angels are holding torches and cenfers ; and the Apoftlesare ranged all
1

Una

delle

prime
una

opere

che che

faceffe
fu

quefto buon

padre

di

pittura, fu nella
cardinale
di

Certofa

di Fiorenza
. .

tavola Nella

pofta nella maggior

di

capella del
due

degliAcciainoli.
mano
*

crociera
e

detta

cappella fono
di noftra
: "

altre tavole

di medefimo

in

una

la Incoronazione
much

Donna.

Lanzi
e

loved

this
e

little

pifturevery
Nafcita

La

R.

Galleria

ne

ha

diverfi,e

il

piu gajo

finito

quello della

del Batifta."

172

PICTURES

BT

BEATO

ANGELICO.

around,
This nobler

with

their

names

written
cannot
manner.

in

their

aureolas.
a

auguft
and
more

ceremony folemn the

be

in reprefented

The

galleryof
Beato

Pitti

palace porTerTes only

It is found
to

one

pictureby
of of

Angelico.
399, and

in the

the

Hall

Juftice,No.
our

calls

mind

donnas firft Ma-

painter, by its ftyleand ogival ihape. her The Blefled Virgin is holding a gold vafe,whence Divine takes Son a piece of gold. By this pure the metal, the painterhas perhaps wifhed to exprefs the Word which has taken in Mary's moft pure flefn, the right, womb. On moft S. Dominic and pure the left, S. John Baptift S. Peter and S. Thomas ; on Aquinas. In the three anglesof the upper part, are in the middle, the Crucifixion on reprefented, ; and
each the of the Annunciation. fide, In the arch which frames feen the Preaching and are ogives, is writing with S. Peter, who his of the Credo. the

Martyrdom
the firft

blood

words

of Santa Maria Novella had loft the religious fervour and of their founders, they had fanclity at leaft the artiftictraditions. They ftillcalled preferved celebrated for the moft the walls decorate to painters raifed by Fra Sifto and Fra Riftoro. Simone Memmi, had enriched their church Gaddi Orcagna and Taddeo and they invited Beato and cloifters with m afterpieces, fome thofe of thefe near pictures Angelicoto execute whom he worthily fucceeded. He worked great men,

If the

there,doubtlefs,at
fo well Vafari tells

the fame

time

as

MafTacio,who
love his

was

qualifiedto
us

underftand he

and

talent. the

that

painted in frefco,in
in front of the

of tranfept

the

church,

choir-door,

174
S.

PICTURES

BY

BEATO

ANGEL1C0.

Dominic;

S. Peter

Martyr ;
whence

and
a

S. Thomas

Aquinas
call
to

bearing a
mind the

little church

eulogy

of the

to iffues, light who fovereign pontiffs,

have

proclaimedhim
The fecond

the

Light of the
and and

Church. into
two

is reliquary

divided

parts,

re-

the Annunciation prefenting Magi, the homage of heaven The her

arms

the Adoration earth.

of the

Annunciation. croffed of the

on

The

with Holy Virgin is feated, She is the receiving

her breaft.

falutation the be
out

mother

tween angel who inclines before her. Beand Mary, who was to heavenly ambaffador of the Saviour, is placed a vafe full of rofes, three thrice beautiful
"

of which
was

liliesefcape, in honour

of

virgin, before, in, and after her In the upper part, is feen the youthfulfigure delivery. Saviour of our carrying the world, and advancing, precededby the Holy Ghoft. Adoration of the Magi. The The Bleffed Virgin, the Child Jefus clothed in a magnificent mantle, prefents at his feet. S. Jofeph to the old Magian king,proffrate he is come The is holding the prefent to make. two The of their other kingswait for their turn. perfonages which the fuite are looking at the ftar, appears above All the background is ornaroof of the ruftic liable. mented with rich tapefrry. This pictureis executed with an admirable grace and purity. In the are part ferving to fupport the picture, fketched and ten ravifhing figures of female faints, of them, the Virginembraced one by her Son, occupies
her who

the

centre.

The

firft is S. Catherine
catherina di seis.

of

Sienna, with
She is

tion, b.

infcripholdreprefented

the

MUSEUMS

AND

CHURCHES

OF

FLORENCE.

Ij$
a

ing a
with
a

book

in her

right hand,
Her of tertiaries.
at

and

in her

left

heart veil the the the

golden
have

centre.

mantle

is black

and

white, like thofe

type
we

Her

recalls profile and anterior took in in

to

remarked

the

Louvre

of gallery canonization

the Uffizi. of the this

The

pictureis
Venice made her

which great faint,

place in
141
1

1460;
the
to

but

procefsof
who her

for

Dominicans authorized fay,

celebrated cultus. S.

feftival, had, fo

Appolloniawith the S. Margaret, S. Agatha carrying eyes in a pincers, vafe, S. Mary Magdalen, S. Agnes, S. Cecilia, her full of S. Dorothy with mantle flowers, and
After S.

Catherine, come

S. Urlula The the the

with

her

arrow.

of the Coronation reliquaryreprefents the picture at Virgin,and recalls by its difpofition The Holy Virgin, Louvre. kneelingbefore her Son, third with below this

is furrounded
are

grouped by
Fra

is evident but

that

angels; a great number the ftepsof the throne. picture is not by Beato
It fuffices
to

of To

faints
us,

it

Angelico,
it with

Benedetto. of
our

compare

the works of talent

to comprehend painter,
two

the difference feen

a

in

the

brothers.

Here

are

gious reli-

thought and a wifh to follow his model; but the whole compofitionis wanting in order and fpace. The figuresare heavy, the attitudes awkward, the proportions fhort, the outlines clumfy and the painting has reprethe fame hand painful. On the pedeftal, fented the Child Jefus adored by the Holy Virgin and S. Jofeph, in the midfl: of angels who are dancing the tabour. and playing The Chapel of Painters dedicated to S. Luke, in

176
the

PICTURES

BT

BEATO

ANGELICO.

cloifter

of

the

Nunciata,

little of the of

picturesby
altar.

Beato
were

fix charming pofTeffes in the gradino Angelico framed

They
San and

formerly placed
for and the
new

at

the

bottom of the of

the

made altar-piece of

church the

convent

Marco,
Damian. cured

reprefent
the

legend

S S. Cofmas
1.

Palladia,being
a

by
to

two

phyficians, prewho will

not

fents receive
2.

purfe full
it. S. Cofmas before
two

of

gold

S. Damian,

and the

Damian

and

their

three

thers bro-

appear
3. The
out

proconful Lilias.
are

faints
an

call

into

the

fea,

and

are

brought
4.
on

by
are

angel.
to

They They
The

condemned

the

fire; the flames

rufh

the

by-ftanders.
are

5.

crucified, and
on

the

arrows

intended

to

piercethem
6. Vafari of Beato

recoil Hvg

the
are

executioners.
beheaded. the

brothers

cites thefe

picturesamongft
and with

mafterpieces
figures more
In

Angelico,
executed
more

fays it

is

to impoffible imagine

anything
delicate
or

greater

care,

or

judiciouflyconceived.1 legends
frefhnefs he
was

fact, the
cannot

poetry

of in
a

the

of

the

middle

ages

be

given
at

happier manner.
the and all

Beato

Angelico preferred
his

Fiefole

of gracefulnefs his

nation, imagiby
the then

for

developing

talent
art
was

ftudy making

of
at

the

material

progrefs which

Florence.
T

See

the

text

of

Vafari, p. 166.

Cha

PTER

IX.

BEATO WITH

ANGELICO

AT

FLORENCE." GHIBERTI
AND

HIS

RELATIONS MASS AC
10.

BRUNELLESCHI,

LORY humble

had

vifited

the

cell

of

the
and

religious ;

churches for de his

princes contended pieces,and Coiimo loved particularly

to

mafterwho

Medici,
in the he had

our

wifhed painter,
convent

have San

him

near

him,
where of

of lifhed the reformed

was

Marco,

eftabBeato

Dominicans
to

Fiefole.

Angelico
go He of
to

obliged
in the

quit
it

his

dear

folitude,and
at

mingle

artiftic

movement

Florence.

had his

obferved certainly

alreadyfrom
with is very their
new

the

height's
he
now

mountain,
himfelf of that what
more

and

had

profitedby it,but
the it

found artifls examine The molt

in connection and amidft fifteenth of

art.

celebrated
to

time;
he did

important
tendencies. is

firft half of the

century
Then

interefting epoch

perhaps the began the really

178

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

FLORENCE.

Renaiffance,which
ftudied the various

has been

the
at

object

of

fuch
muft

tradictory con-

and : appreciations elements

Florence

be

Angelico knew
out;

and
a

his

compofe it. Beato them choofe how and to diftinguifh example muft be followed by all who
for Chriftian Beato
art.

that

delire

better future

Three

of contemporaries

Angelico may

be

regarded as the fathers of the Renaiffance,and they To Ghiberti and Maffaccio. them, are Brunellefchi, tion. direcand architecture, fculpture paintingowe a new
We
or

extreme

able favourin what it was proceed to examine and will feek the truth amidft prejudicial, the rifk,perhaps,of not at ciliating conopinions, and Architecture,fculpture ing paintany one.
means

feparated each than from the thought of the other,any more his word from and orator gefture. They have united during the great epochs of always been clofely of has been one art, and their tendency to feparation
are

three

of

art

which

muft

not

be

the

chief has

defects

of

the

Renaiffance.

cture Still archite-

fluence incertain paramount a always preferved and : the painter are fet off by the fculptor architect is the leader of the orcheftra, architect. The who conducts the
concert.

comprehend the influence know to Florence, it is neceffary

of architecture before has him. its

To

of what

Brunellefchi
was

at

the

ftate

Every
nation

nation its

architecture,becaufe
different of forms
are

every
rials, mate-

has which

character,fcenery and
diverfities Thefe

explainthe
doctrines.
Italian

inveftvery ages,

ing the fame in the ftriking

diverfities the

Republics of

middle

BRUNELLESCH1,

GHIBERTI

AND

MASSACCIO.

179

fo near they were together.Florence, Sienna, although Pifa and Bologna have the fame not ments, monuPerugia, and their monuments with always harmonize the type of their population. Man, God as does, leaves his ftamp and image on his works. Every national architecture,in its regular developement, three ftyles the three periods creates to correfponding
we

have
the

marked

out

in

art

the

the hieratic,

learned

is fucceflively periods.1 Form itfelf, developed,juft as human thought expreffes and firfh by affirmation, then by precifion, at length Thence three of imagery. by the embellishment of architecture, the chief qualities of which are ftyles Thefe richnefs. three ftyles or limplicity, elegance, have the people the name of received in Greece whofe and have been genius they bell reprefented, Thefe orders. called the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian and naturaliftic

diftinguifhed by the embellifhments, and has given by the proportions. Vitruvius efpecially the ftandard of thefe proportions this irandard ; but has nothing abfolute, for genius cannot be imprifoned limits. within invariable The proportionsof the of ancient art, do not agree Parthenon, the mafterpiece with the ciphers of Roman architecture. The columns them. The artift themfelves are not equal between with the liberty acts on of the Creator, who, matter in nature, is pleafed of forms to vary the geometrical
orders
are

flowers. Roman
are

art
to

has

gone
out.

through the
Under

three

we phafes

about

point

Greek

it influence,

See

page

5.
2

180

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

FLORENCE.

Compoiite ftyle. In nations of the middle ages, united by the Church in relations not be flighted when to we wifh to ftudy the hiftory of art, architecture has followed the fame rules with lefs rapidity, greater or and countries. An accordingto circumftances original
to

has

partedfrom regardto the

the Tufcan

the

architecture
;

is raifed

on

the ruins of the ancient

ments monu-

magne developedfrom Charleis the Romanelque until the Crufades, and ftyle. It then appears elegantand noble in the reigns of Philippe It has at laft difAugufte and S. Louis. played its richnefs down to the years of the decadence Thefe three epochs corprecedingthe Renaiffance. refpond with the three Greek ftyles. We

its firft form

becomes

regret that
We

we

are

unable between

to

examine
and

at

greater

lengthsthe
architecture.

connections will

ancient

mediaeval

tecture archionly fay that if Greek within attained a narrow perfection fphere, Chriftian architecture developed a vafter doctrine and with liberty defined
more

greater
are

not

by

columns and

powerfulrefults. Its ftyles but by more and capitals,

more

generalcharacteriftics
molt

varied

ornaments.

Its

unitingin an admirable elegancethe ftyle, perfect of the firft epoch with the richnefs of the fimplicity third,has lafted throughout all the Crufades, and has arch and employed two different forms, the rounded the ogive.1 Thefe dialects of the fame two ftyles, for the ftudy of our language,are interefting fubject. have wifhed eftablifh a rivalry Some to or antagonifm between them : and the ogive has had, in thefe latter
1

The

Ogive

is

defignated by Englifhwriters,the

Pointed

Style. [Translator's

note.]

82

BEATO

ANGEL1C0

AT

FLORENCE.

architecture
architecture. its birth. Whilft architects

is the With

of Romanefque offspring legitimate

us

its

name

is the

certificate of

fupportthe roofs. Thefe called the vaulted of fupports were of thefe ogives, the curves and by meeting at ogives, all right angles, gave in geometry and perfpective arch. If a perfon is the variations of the equilateral
ftone arches
to

erecting employed

churches

in

the

rounded

ftyle, ridges

placed under the vaults of a church in the rounded flyleof the twelfth century, he will experience the The effect as in an fame optical ogivalchurch. only the upward tendency of the lines is line interrupting the bays. This arch which the principal feparates becomes pointedby degrees, ftyle, arch, in the rounded then in the arches firft in the arch of the fanctuary,
of the
nave,

either

as

means

of

conftruction

for

of the roof, or for unity and diminifhing the preffure harmony, becaufe the pointedarch agrees better with The windows. the tracery of the ogival pointed arch the rounded is alfo placed upon arch, which rates fepathe aifles, from the nave juft as in the fame
monument

the Ionic what

order

has been

placed upon

the

fupportsmufl be fimpler and is fupported. Thefe different than what two ftronger do not deflroyunity,but only give to the eye ftyles of greater height, like the leffening the impreffion
Doric, becaufe
dimenfions The of
a

column.

pointed arch or ogive has thus been naturally in architecture, and and progreffively to fyftematized explainit we have no need of recourfe to a foreign individual local and invention. to a or importation,

BRUNELLESCHI,

GHIBERTI

AND

MASSACCIO.

183

effected in not was adoption of the ogivalftyle and Architecture Italyas in France Germany. was lefs rapidly and freely developed there,becaufe it was tied to imitating ancient edifices better preferred more
than The in other rounded of of countries. arch
was an

The

Italian

and creation, between

was

the the

employment
architectures the

it forms Rome

the and

difference It

Athens.

precifely
earlieft

Etrufcans,forefathers
it into

of the whilft North

who Florentines,

troduced in-

Rome,
The of

buildingthe
had ftill
an

monuments
on

there.

influence In
our

the architecture

in Italy

the

middle ancient

ages.

Republic of built by German is San Miniato, evidently Florence artifls during the omnipotence of the empire. the ogive is an In Italy, importation due to the petition triumph of the architects of the North, in the comopened to the whole of Europe for the church
to
crown

the opinion,

fineft church

of the

the

tomb

of

S. Francis

of Affiii. in
a

It is

an

exotic

James

plant which of Germany,

to

languishes
after he had

foreign
his for
a

land.

raifed he

mafterthe

piece,went
and the beft Fra

Florence, where
died in

worked founded

Republic,and
Sifto and the Bride

1360.
it
were

He the

fchool,
Fra

pupils of

Dominicans,
Maria

Riftoro, who
who

built

Santa

Novella, James
of

of Michael di

Angelo.
was

Arnolfo

Lapo,
many

the

fon

of
not

Germany, as the ogive with

North did. He

learned

think,1 did

the fame
was

as liberty

manage the architects of the

the great maffes

with pre-occupied

Lapo might be

the

Tufcan

diminutive

of

Jacopo.

184
of the

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

FLORENCE.

ancient and the Santa other the

and bafllicas, Maria dei

his

chief

works be

(Santa

Croce with

Fiori)cannot

compared

have
nor

neither the

of Tufcany. They ogival churches of the cathedral of Sienna, gracefulnefs of San of Martino Santa
at

richnefs fo

Lucca,
at

nor

the

character Their

impoiing
has
not

Petrona
:

Bologna.
that the

facade

been

finimed Santa the

it feems

national

impulfe had
which
are

failed.
encafed

Croce,
with Its

in the

ogives of
the refembles

pagan

tombs

huge raifed by
beams is altogether

Florentines
an

to

their great men,

its bare

unfinifhed fine

church.

beauty

chapels at the farther end, the dazzles which glare of the large eyes by the windows. Santa Maria dei Fiori is gigantic glafs ; but the effect of the interior, is the moft which important in Chriftian is not architecture, happy : the lightdoes not lightenup the barenefs of the walls. It is true
Arnolfo be did
not

in the

line of

finifh

but it,

left the The

central

part

to

crowned

by
a

Brunellefchi.
an

exterior

is decorated

rather

by

painterthan by
details of
a

architect.

The
with and

ancients

fet off the but this

was

their

architecture
means,

colour;
gave

only
to

fecondary
and
an

they
of

deep
of and

fhadows Maria merit of

their maffes dei Fiori of it is

The profile. inlaid work

a

exterior

Santa
the

marble,
The

at difappears

diftance.

influence
the work

the

artift is

felt,to
to

whom the Tower

is attributed of

Campanile, much
of
a

inferior

Pifa,the
at

German beautiful

architect.
details
as

The

Campanile
as

rence Floit

has feems
to
us

and

but great elevation, bafement fchool of in

ing. crown-

The

wanting in mafterpieceof the

to

be

Giotti

is the

BRUNELLESCHI,

GHIBERT1

AND

MASSACIO.

185 arch, and

Loggia, by Orcagna, which has the the national ftyle takes on again.
Brunellefchi
came

rounded

at

moment

when

all artifts were

and he had ftudying ancient monuments, paffionately the ogive and the rounded choofe between arch. to him the rounded His fludies and genius made prefer arch. He fettered in the completion of Santa was Maria dei Fiori; he went back to ftudy the monuments of Rome, and wifhed theon to place the cupola of the Panthe ogivesof Arnolfo. He wrought perhaps over
a

greater architectural
in the dome is
to

miracle

than

that

of Michael

Angelo
Florence have
not

of be

but S.Peter's,
;

the interior effect clear

in his work
never

lamented

for the the

light of
was

penetrates there,and

great offices
arch.

to

be celebrated

Brunellefchi by candle-light.1 returned

to

in his

element, and
the

the San

rounded

Spirito.He refumed the ancient Latin and wifhed to balilica, give it all the elegance and of ogival churches, lightnefs whilft wholly preferving the ancient forms and natural traditions. We believe that he was right,and that this RenahTance has been in architecture legitimate. It has been a progrefs on the anarchy and decline of a foreign architecture, caufed by the introduction like as the Italian Renaiffance a opinion, was, in our progrefsfor French architecture led away by Flemifh
influence and the fhameleffnefs of the fifteenth
tury. cen-

His

mafterpieceis

church

of

Moreover, architecture, by
art, has
to

its contact than

with pagan

fear

corruptionlefs
it is
not

fculptureand
to

paintinghave, becaufe

fo

ealily given over

We

have

feen the

choir -books

at lighted

the

High

Mafs

on

Aicenlion-day.

86

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

FLORENCE.

individual
era

capriceand

paffions. We
the

believe that the

of

Brunellefchi

has been

great

epoch
to

in the

architecture Has
ture?

of Florence. rendered the fame the

Ghiberti
He had but his

fame

fervice
the made

fculp-

tafte for form

antique;
the

paffion for
in made his

ftudy of the him forget

march of
at Baptiftry to

great traditions of Chriftian

talent is feen

art.

The
the

his

gates

of in

Florence.
ones

Thofe

by him,

addition

the

by Andrea

Pifano,harmonize

with

the lines of the and

us

the noble but they have not architecture, whofe of his rival, compofitionsremind ftyle fkill and

fimple
of the

purityof
too

the Greek Hill

bas-reliefs. His

figures

is kept within vivacity he gives and his genius in to every liberty We the central cannot, indeed, gate. grow weary in admiringthe unheard of luxury in ornamenting there that vigorous modelling, thofe little ancient difplayed, that marvellous which time feems deftatues, chafing firous to refpect. The compofitions on the panels

projeft bounds,

much:

his

are

very

remarkable, the groups

are

the excellent,

portions pro-

elegantand
muft have ftudied

the

draperies graceful. Raphael

a

them

great

deal.

But

we

cannot

the landfcape equallypraife grounds. Inftead of fome the figures, the fculpto frame-in fimple lines ferving
tor

has has fum

are

modelled led his up,

we

trees,
art

deepenings and
into the domain

mountains,

and To

away

cannot

thefe

worthy

of

with Michael fay, being the gates of for

painting. Angelo, that for Paradife,1

not

of

the artift made

1

them

his

own

and
alle porte

for God's

Elle

fon tanto

belle,ch' elle ftarebbon

bene

del

paradilo." Vasari,

Pita di Lorenzo

Ghiberti.

BRUNELLESCHI,

GHIBERTI

AND

MASSACC10.

87

glory,and has fought than holy thoughts ;

work principal
ornament

to

give
we

rather look
on

beautiful them the

forms
as

but

the

of

the

RenaifTance, and
the

richeft

of the raife
to

temple which beauty.

The Ghiberti.

lixteenth

century
in fentiment

would the

natural
as

Donatello Chriftian

followed

fame

way

in his linging and dancing children, and difappeared he replaces of expretfion it by limplicity and the gracefulnefs of youth. It is a nature that fufFers itfelf to be carried away by earthly but ftill preferves paflions, the charm refilled of bafhfulnefs. Lucca della Robbia better
mained re-

being dragged along by his epoch, and and popular in his works. religious

MafiTaccio in

he
at

the progrefs of the RenaifTance reprefents moffc by the example painting: it is he that profited of Ghiberti. Two how works far mow principal in the church of San Clemente went : his paintings rence. Float Rome, and in the chapel of the Carmine to vilit the Eternal Maffaccio, too, went City ;
as

and,
and

with

Brunellefchi
no

and pray

the
at

other the tomb

artifts of

his

epoch, it was
of ftillthe them of the
man

longer to
to

of S. Peter ties diviniwas

of the martyrs, but heathen

admire When

the ruins and he

;

world.

he arrived,

of Chriftian

traditions his

all the

poetry of

is found

again
He

in is

Hiftory

of S. Catherine

worthy to be compared with Beato Angelico for the purityof his talent. But when he returns is changed, and he to Florence, his mind carries off the idea of a material which he perfection, purfuesand attains in the chapelof the Carmine. This chapel is a celebrated date in hiftory, becaufe the advent of the Renaiifor painting it marked out

Alexandria.

88

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

FLORENCE.

fance.

The

oldeft the

part

was

done

by

Maffolino

da

Panicale, and

he reprefented fubjeclis are, Adam Peter of the earthly driven out and Eve paradife ; S. healing the crippleat the Temple and railingS. Pethe dead ; S. Peter vilited in prifonby tronilla from is admired, In them, a noble and auftere ftyle S. Paul.
as a

memorial too,

of the great fchool

a

of Giotto

but

there

is

found,

real
a

and chiarofcuro, the ancients is in

and in delign, progrefs colouring, vilible prepoffeffion to ftruggle againft nude. The

worthy
MafTacio

of

the painting Raphael. continued the

figureof
his

S.Paul

work both

of

fellow-pupil
the the altar,

Maffolino, and

on painted,

fides of

preaching of
the

S.

Peter, the

fhadow

of S. Peter and nude

curing
who is

giving alms baptifm. Vafari is in ecftacyat the and pointshim out being baptifed,
of all.1 But of the centre, nifh the the money the of mafterpiece

lick,and

S. Peter

adminiftering
man

for the admiration

Maffacio
upper

is the

Payment
In
to

Tribute, which
Chrift fends

is in the Peter
on

part.
nfh Peter

the fur-

to

catch

the

tribute; and
to

the
man

S. right, who

delivers it. This

the

young

demands

toons compofition can be compared with the beautiful carThe of Raphael. ftyleis noble, the figures the drawn and natural. well draperies full and is alfo very remarkable The play of expreffions ; but fentiment muft be fought there. The not a religious

Nell'
tra

iftoria dove

S. Piero

battezza
di
e

fi ftima

grandemente
con
e

un

ignudo,
fempre

che

triema
e

affiderando gliakri battezati, il quale

freddo, condotto
vecchi
e

belliffimo

relievo
tenuto

dolce

maniera,
ed

dagli artefici

moderni

ftato

in

iiverenza

ammirazione.

190

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

FLORENCE.

by their progrefs, profited the great principles of Chriftian whilft he ftillpreferved of which we have already This is feen in the works art. stood fpoken or which remain for us to ftudy. He underture the happy revolution brought about in architecby Brunellefchi,and did not think the ogive
doubt,
as

his

matters, and

more

Chriftian the

than

the rounded

arch

for

we

fee him he had

abandoning
decorated

mediaeval

defignswith adopt

which the

his

earlypictures,to
new

lines and His

ornamenting

of the

monuments

of Florence.

lefs holy : they only took continued be no to figures whilft wholly retaining lefs lengthened proportions, on the ftyle of architecture their noblenefs, becaufe always affects the figures. He was certainly capable of underftanding all the of Florence, and beauties of. the gates of the Baptiftry rival Ghiberti in grace and elegance how he knew to ; of but for all that he did not neglect the expreflion that made him preferred before feelings religious ; and his rival for the altarpiece ordered by the Guild of flax-workers [joiners]. Without above Beato doubt, many place MafTaccio of form, becaufe Angelico for perfection they confider the Chriftian infpiration the fcience rather than ; but do in that regard we find Beato not even Angelico inferior The with
to

his contemporary. Clemente have

chapel of San the paintings we

above it,

compared already ftudied, and we

not
to

is

be

believe

than the chapel to be lefs beautiful all, in the Vatican. As

to

of Nicholas in the be

V,

the

compofition
it
cannot

chapelof the Carmine, we moil of the works to preferred

think

that

of Beato

Angelico,

BRUNELLESCH1,

HI

BERT

AND

MASSACCIO.

191

whofe MafTaccio

Laft

Judgments
refembles of and his

efpecially Raphael
more

offer in Beato

firft-rate the freedom

beauties.
and has often

elegance grandeur bring

Thus
holinefs form with him

figures
he the had

but
;

Angelico
which

ftyle
to

from Greeks model is alfo

tradition,
than of

nearer

Raphael
all their artifts model clothe

himfelf.
for for thofe of of the the

Beato of his which He

Angelico,
infpirations,
he affifted He knew

how the hrft what remained himfelf and of faw the make

to

fpirations. inthe

at

appearance it had

Renaiffance. towards natural He of

difentangled beauty,
but

progrefs
to

faithful

moral

beauty.
delire earth he
loved

not

allowed

to

go in

aflray
the

through
of

perfonal
the

glory,

beauties of loved. faithful heaven

only

reflection
and

beauties Him he all

God,

delired and

to

This

was

his talent

higher!:
has been

aim,

becaufe from

was

to

it,

his

preferved

decay.

Chapter

X.

FOUNDATION BT COSIMO

OF DE

THE MEDICI.

CONSENT
"

OF

SAN

MARCO Br FRA

CHOIR-BOOKS

BENEDETTO.

HE

convent

of and

San

Marco

was

founded

protected
grew which

by

the the
to

Medici,
become

who

great with

Renaiffance, of
the efting for the

they were

corruptors.

It is inter-

by degrees, and
Never
was

art to examine hiftoryof how thefe bankers purchafed Florence ended by becoming its mafters.

ufurpationmore more happy. III,who Pope Innocent aided had of Italy, liberty
tyranny
a

mild

and

in

appearance

has

done

fo much
to

for the off the itfelf into

a

Florence This

make

of the emperors. the

cityformed
century
was

republic,and
form of

fourteenth
full of

lent turbu-

period for it, but

The

government

often

glory and profperity. changed, through the

FRA

BENEDETTO.

193

ftormy

democracy and the ftrifes of a the popular element turbulent ariftocracy always ; but predominated. Weary, at times, of the rending of
fedition of the

anarchy, Florence
power
to

fought

fome

by entrufting repofe,
which
never
united re-

foreign princes,a

means

it.
In

of
1

for ten 1267, it gave itfelf, but foon renounced Sicily,

years, this fent

to

to

Charles

I,King

protectorate. In
it,
as

30 1,

Pope
de of

Boniface

VIII.

governor,

Charles inftead enkindled

Valois,brother

of the

re-eftablifhing peace,
the fire of civil
war.

King of France, who, and organized pillage

In 1342, the of tines Floren-

nominated
as

Gauthier

de

Brienne, Duke
the

Athens,
caufed Then

captainand protectorof
of Florence
to

people,and

afterwards

lord

for life ; but

out

his odious

tyranny

him the

be

driven

in

the

followingyear.

the itrugglesof the people began afrefh againft who nobility, fought in power means only to fatisfy The citizens private hatreds. triumphed, and the nobles
were

charge; and a government the peculiar combinations of was eftablifhed, which great developement to privateenergy and gave The ingly publicwealth. fyftem of guildsof art was exceedfavourable and induftry. Florence to commerce the emporium of Europe, and its manufactures became it reckoned fupplied every country ; for woollen fluffs, hundred two manufacturers, who employed thirty thoufand and were confiderable, perfons. Its revenues its unpaid magiftrates treafures which amafTed enabled them to pay off the troops, purchafetowns, found public ftrangers to which eftablimments,and organize feftivals,
every reforted in crowds. The fine
arts

excluded

from

alfo flourifhed

this

194
was

CONSENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

the

epoch

of the fchool An unheard-of the

of Giotto

and bred

of the great
a

monuments.

luxury

corruption

of
a

manners,

which
thoufand

when plague of 1348 chaftifed,

died in Florence. perfons this feverifh agitation of induftry, the influence Amidft of the bankers They grew very considerable. with crowned heads. The treated on an equality King florins of gold from the of England borrowed 900,000 The Bradi and 600,000 of the Perruzzi. auguft debtor hundred did
were

not
more

pay,

and

ruined

his

bankers. clever.

The

Medici

They chofe lefs made for themexalted and partifans felves amongft the people and citizens. Sylveftrode is the firft illuftrious member of his family; Medici created cavaliere by the revolted workmen, and he was nominated gonfaloniere was by them in 1378. the nobles were Whilft to returning by their power
alliances with the rich
and citizens,

prudent and more furer clients, and

Florence

was

in-

under crealing in profperity

Albrizzi, the
without

Medici up

were

Capponi and Mafo extending their buflnefs

ambitious contentions of

Gino

mixing

in

the

de Medici, in particular, Giovanni made mous enorparties. during the Council of Conftance. He was profits the Pope, and profited banker to by the circumftance credit throughout all the world. to acquire immenfe founder of his dynafty. His courtefy the true He was the rich and artifans comtowards towards menced generofity his power, and he attracted generalefteem and how in neutrality.In knew to keep himfelf adroitly nominated the office of gonfaloniere, to 142 1, he was he honourably fulfilled ; and which he died in 1428, his credit, his fortune, and the leavingto his children,

FRA

BENEDETTO.

195 offended

recommendation
and

of

never

having

anybody,

of

the alwaysrefpecting

laws and will of his fellow-

citizens. moft by his lefTons. To profited the ability of his father, he joined greater ambition, and he fought every means his influence, advance to his riches and enterprifes. Active,geneby increasing and inlinuating, he grew to be the friend and creous ditor Coiimo of all the world. exiled He attached
to

de Medici

himfelf

the

families of the received

to

by

means

of bills of
and

exchange,
made vances adarts, and
an

the

money

of the

condottieri and could

them, protected letters

himfelf the with all who

the have

furrounded
on

fluence in-

his pay, relieved remained

He took the artifans into publicfpirit. funds to induflry, and his bounty by furnifhing the poor and decorated churches, whilft he himfelf in
a

alwaysfeductive
The

under

which comparativesimplicity, a republic. his powei and increafing

con-

is

nobles, who

faw

it. Renaud, fon to overturn folidating, confpired Mazo Albizzi,prepared an infurrection inftead of afTafUnation. in his
to

of
an

Coflmo

was

arrefted and the

condemned, but

prifonhe bought
enemies,
and

his

inftead

fold judges over who were of being fent to death,he

departedonlyinto exile. There was retired to Padua, and there received

thofe who fent the him

acknowledged his power. ambaffadors to him, and afked

commerce

triumph. He from deputations The city of Venice

his counfels. him
came

his

All pay

vafTals

had Florence

given

to

homage,

whilft He repay

his ab fence.
to neceffary

demanded

them,

and

through by his capitals back ; it was they could not borrow

o 2

fuffered all

196
any
more nor
:

CONVENT

OF

SAN

MARCO.

artifts had no induitry flagged, longer a protector artifans a patron. The citywas compelled

capitulate.Then the reignof the Medici began. Coiimo without was a fovereign taking the titles and factor He was proclaimed the benecoftly equipage of one. of the people and the father of the country : he he revenged,he governed. His bankingcommanded,
to

houfe

was

his

eftablifhed
"

his palace, of the royalty

more

cafh-box money,

his throne the any

and

he

tyranny of riches

tyranny

terrible than

other, becaufe

it

a fyftem well organized corruptive.It was by him ; and when they complained of the injuryhe the cityby the lofs of good citizens whom inflicted on

is

more

his banifhments that he could

and
make

revenges

drove with

away,
two

he

boafted

good
to

men

ells of

fuperwarlike

fine cloth. He knew how

profitby

the

talent

and

over tyrannize that his own the people, might apparent moderation be more towards valued, and he hurried on induitry which it is a danger when luxury, a material progrefs is not He liant guided by Chriftianity. gathered alfo a brilcircle of learned men and artifts, heaped prefents and neglected convents on churches,founded numerous

of Neri qualities fpected in order the foldiery. He

Capponi, whofe independencehe reinfluence by his means to gain an over

allowed the foldiers
to

no

means

to

conciliate the mafTes. Coiimo de Medici

was near-

The the the

country-house of and of Fiefole, convent

he became had

the benefactor ordered him God many

to
remove

of

it. He religious inhabiting and he by Beato Angelico, the

new

tures pic-

caufed

to

convent

of

San

Marco.

thus

always

198
received this

CONVENT

OF

SAN

MARCO.

requeft favourably ;
the

and

bull

dated

January 21ft, 1436, ordained

change. The monks and. appealed to the pfeudoof San Marco refitted, names fynod of Bafle, one of the precurlive lightning
of the Reformation. them
;

But

this

means

did

not

fucceed the

with

they were

obligedto give up,

and

Pope

with unufual mould be taken pofTeffion went through all folemnity. The Dominican religious the the city, three bifhops, accompanied by the clergy, and an mazzieri immenfe concourfe of people. Padre of San Marco of in the name Ciprianotook pofTefTion his congregation. without Beato Angelico affifted, any doubt, at the ordered ceremony, and fettled in the the convent, which year, church
a

that

was

in

deplorableflate. In deftroyeda part, and

burned. make The wooden

preceding

fire had had been

to

the roof of the

Dominican cells all open

were religious

obliged
and

to

the wind

damp.

ButCofimo
to

de Medici

ordered

his

Michelozzi, architect,
The architect the church
on

build

them

more

fuitable

abode. left

pulleddown the old convent, and the refectory. He made

fouth Thefe
fide

and
two

only

cloiflers, one
other
were

the

of the

church,

and in

the

at

the

apfe.
in

commenced buildings, and

tne

1437,
to

finifhed

1443,
The

expenfe
took

amounted
were

36,000
in
1

ducats.
441, and

reftorations

of the church

finifhed

the confecration in the

placeon

the Feafi: of

IV.

of following year, in the prefence of Cardinals. Cofimo and of the college

to

theEpiphany Pope Eugenius

de Medici

wifhed

all the choir-books, and charged Fra prefent Benedetto, elder brother of Beato Angelico,with the of them.

execution

FRA

BENEDETTO.

199 until brothers, this the

We
had

have
the fame

feen that the

two
we

time,

joint of Fra Benedetto in the works labour of our painter. this pointis pofitive.1Fra The teftimony of Vafari on beloved Benedetto was particularly by S. Antoninus,
who chofe him
as

exiftence,and

have

proved

fub-prior every
San

time He

he himfelf

was

nominated with elected

priorof
his

Marco.

lived in that he

vent conwas

brother, and

quittedit only when

of Fiefole ; but the third by the religious prior he not yet completed,when year of his charge was died of the plague, in 1448. The chronicles of San two Marco his talent and fanctity. and of Fiefole eulogife Fra Benedetto," faysthe one of San Marco, fon of Pietro of Mugello, native fon and then priorof the
" "

convent

of

brother Fiefole,

of Fra

Giovanni, that

rable admi-

from whofe fkill almoft all the pictures of painter this convent in reality and proceed. BlefTed (Benedictus) he was moft upright in life and manners, and he name, converfed in the Order

without

murmur.

He his

was

alfo the belt writer and miniatu but

notes

not rift,
are

only of

own

of moft and

times. miniatures of San

By

whofe of

hand

the texts, mufic-

this church

of nearlyall the choir-books Marco, includingthe antiphonaries,

graduals and pfalters, except only the laft gradual for feftivals. Being feized with the plague, and having looked on death, after duly receivingthe cheerfully
facraments,he
and
was

in the Lord fell afleep in he the

common

that year,

1448,
the

buried

brethren.
1

May
che ed
a

reft in
da

fepulture of peace!"2
un

Ben

vero

far quefti fu aiutata

fuo

maggior

fratello che

era

limil-

mente
2

miniatore

eflai efercitato nella Petri de

pittura.
nativus
et tunc

Fra

Benedictus germanus

Mugello,

Alius

priorexiftens
arte

Fefulani

ccnventus,

fratris Joannis, illius tarn

mirandi

cujus piftoris

piclurae

'200

COXFENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

We

have with

alreadycompared
his brother's will make Benedetto
;

the

talent

of Fra

detto Bene-

the
us

ftudy
better
not

of the choir-books

at

San

Marco Fra

did

appreciatethe give himfelf up

ference. difex-

to cluiively

the the

occupied in
as

of the art ; but was practice very much miniftryand in the direction of fouls,

proved by the duties to which he was called. Still of religious life left him the regularity much leifure, feeing that he affifted his brother,and almoft entirely
is
executed

in which

few

years, from

1443
of

to

J448"

tn-e

choircoft

books,
Cofimo Thefe

ferve the church

San

Marco,
of the The of

and

de Medici

1500

ducats.
are one

magnificent books
of ancient

moft

able valuof

texts

mulic. religious fourteen volumes

annals

the and

convent

fay

that

graduals

written were by the hand of Fra antiphonaries of Fiefole, Benedetto, prior of the convent except the of the graduals for the ferias, which laft volumes mained reof his death, and were uncompleted on account of the order of Friar-minors. finifhed by a religious the At choir two requeft of Colimo, he alfo wrote of invitatories.1 and a book pfalters The books now are fervingthe religious twenty in number, either becaufe they have been divided, or
fere
vita

omnes

hujus

conventus et

exflant.

Hie
in

re

et

nomine

Benedittus Exftitit

moribus
autem

et
tx-

integerrimusfuit
non

fine

querela
fuorum,

ordine
et

converfatus.

cellentiffimus,
miniator.
chori

modo
manu,

fed

plurimorum
et

temporum
ft.

fcriptor et
fere
et

Cujus

cantus litteris,
:

nota,

minio

(sic)omnes

libri

hujus

ecclefice S. Marci
duntaxat

Antiphonaria

videlicet, Gradualia,
ex

P"alteria,
mortem

dempto

ultimo

feftivo

graduali.

Hie

ea

pefte

invafus

alacer

intuitus, facramentis

omnibus

rite

in perceptis,

Domino

requievit,ipfo anno
pace.
"

1448,
conv.

fepultusin
S. Marci,
1

communibus
21 1.

fratrum

fepulturis. Requiefcatin

Annalia

A, fol.
conv.

Annul,

S.

Marci,

fol. 8,

tergo.

FRA

BENEDETTO.

201

others been them of the of the

have

been

added

to

them.

Thefe

books

have in

in repaired
are

the lixteenth

century: the miniatures

well preferved. They bear the arms generally Medici numerous give proof infcriptions ; and the old. The munificence of Colimo writingis
;

beautiful encircled The

the initials with

are

little fome

flowers
are

and

but heavy in defign, grotefque figures. the letters. A The

and

miniatures moft

painted within
are

volumes B.1 The

ornamented the
m

the firft marked

are following

oft remarkable S. Andrew.

fubjecls.

The The

Callingof

S. Peter and

Martyrdom of S. Stephen. The background a prefents charming landfcape. beautiful S. John the Evangelift. A figure,but unfortunately injured.
The S. the Maffacre of the Innocents.

Agnes, virginand martyr. She is carryingamidft flames her palm and fymbolical lamb.
Converfion of S. Paul. The Prefentation.

The

The

Annunciation. Then follows the

common

of the
to

and Apoftles

tyrs. Mar-

Jefus
and ftrength

blefles reward. of
an

them,

fhow

that

he

is their

At the

common

of virgin, virgins book laid upon

every

age

are

ringingbefore
it
are

open
:

the

palms.

In

read

thefe words

gaudeamus

omnes.

For

the office of

the Crofs

is

very beautiful

fixion, Cruci-

feemingly done by Beato Angelico. Another the BlefTed Virgin covering with miniature reprefents the religious of the Order her mantle of S. Dominic.
1

At

the

beginning

is read

"

Has

liiros

civis fids prciuiiis, Ulujiriffimus

....

multa

et magna

et hoc lemplum ieiieficia,

eitnuit

Cofmas

Medic.

203

CONVENT

OF

SAN

MARCO.

In

the

fecond out,
an

volume,

marked

B, may

be

pointed
Peter

Annunciation,
the receiving
S.

in beautiful
crowns

efpecially fryle S.
:

of Verona and

three

of

doctor,

virgin
heaven from tion. who
TATE

martyr.

Mary
A

by angels.
S. Peter A
are

S. Dominic S. Paul.

and

Magdalen carried to receivinghis million magnificent AfTumpAll the

very

remarkable

S. Michael. feftival whilft

Saints,

their celebrating

ringing canhand him

on

DOMINUM.

In

another of
a

Chrift placeshis composition,

the head

martyr, and with the other

he is

mows

the the

heavenly rewards, which

eyes of faith. other books
one
are

with contemplating

The

not

rich

in miniatures.

The

greater part have

AnThe only at the htft page. beautiful compoiition. I, prefents a tiphonary marked is fh owing to his apoftles with Lord Our man a young

bandaged and his hands tied behind his back : fuch is the lot awaiting them, and alfo the fureft means the world, whilft rendering teftimony to to conquer
his eyes the truth. of the The Book P
a prefents

very

fine Adoration

of which Magi, the figures in the cell of Cofimo mafterpiece All thefe miniatures exhibit

recall Beato de Medici. and have

Angelico's qualities
attributed
a

defects

alreadypointedout
to

in the There

pictureswe
are

Fra

Benedetto.

found

in them

found profub-

a pious imagination, new feeling, religious of giving them ; jects and ingenious manner

but

if his

the artift has the fame

faith and fame He

the

fame
;
as

pietyas
has

brother,he
lefs and

has

not

the lefs.

talent is not,

he

received

improved

Beato has

Angelico,

the inheritor of the

great mafters,nor

he, like him

FRA

BENEDETTO.

203

fhidied

nature.

His

figures are

dumpy
untrue, But

and and

ordinarily
the heads has his

badly placed, the

without
not

movements

vivacityand
noble
:

pattern.

above

all, he

the

elegance and

admirable the

of fimplicity idea natural

brother does
not

evident make the

proof

that
to

Chriftian

alone

artift ;

give it well, a
this
and

gift

developed by ftudy
We infift very of Fra the works

is needed. diftindlion between The

ftronglyon
Benedetto Benedetto

Beato been

Angelico.

jointlabour
the

of Fra Beato

has But

to prejudicial

glory of
the

Angelico. works, which, without

come

any

tively by ftudying attendoubt, belong to

them,
lible

we

to
are

ftyle. They
to

of recognize an evident inequality two handwritings which it is impof-

confound. Beato

Did We him.

Angelico work
fo,
him and have

at

his brother's

miniatures

? of

believe Beato
to

remarked

figuresworthy
miniatures.
at not

made Angelico certainly

two

Vafari dei
;

attributes Fiori.1 ProfefTor The

large
to

books could have

Santa fee
more

Maria them

Padre Rofini

Marchefe

but

feems.
San
;

been

fortunate. miniatures be is
or

libraryof
to

Marco but
we

other poifefTes think it is Beato

afcribed careful

him thefe

neceffaryto Angelico
of
or

in

aflignments. givesto
him

pre-eminently
unikilled

the

religiouspainter. Speculation
a

admiration

multitude

manu-

of the fifteenth fcripts century, French Let us refpee/t the truth, and the glory of
Sono
di di Fra i

German.

our

painter.

mano

Giovanni

in

Santa-Maria-del-Fiore
con

due

grandiffimi libri
e

miniati

divinamente,
ne

quali
non

fono ne'

tenuti

molta

venerazione

riccamente

adornati,

fi veggiono le

giorni folenniffimi.

Chapter

XL

CONSENT

OF CLOISTER

SAN

MARCO."
AND IN

PAINTINGS
THE

IN

THE

CELLS.

HE
and

convent

of

San

Marco

is noble toninus S. An-

fimple in
de
too

architecture. the
and

moderated Coiimo

of liberality

Medici,
much reformed

prevented
the

grandeurs
of fpirit The Hull

oppofed to
is

the of

Dominicans.
fhown is

Machelozzi in the

only
Beato in

in the

two

cloifters and

which library

divided

into three

by

two

rows

of fine Doric in the The

pillars.
the

Angelico worked
cells connected
not
was

only
with before
the the

firft cloifter and

reft of
vent con-

the

it. his

finifhed
is

departure or
S. Antoninus,
of
on

Rome.1
account

This

firft cloifter

called
life

cloifter of

of

the
were

pictures reprefentingthe
executed
at

of

Archbifhop faintly
century.
moft

Florence, which

the many, M.
a

end

of and

the

fixteenth

[A great
coloured
Saint
neaux

the certainly
have par been Beato
et et

perfectof
in

thefe
"

frefcoes, deilgned and

by

Laborde,
Florence
H. de
;

publifhed

Paris,

Frefque

du fur

Couvent
les

de

Marc,
par de

Angelico

da

Fiefole, defline'es

Origipar

M.
M

Laborde,

reproduites en
Graff, par
MM.

Chromo-Lithographie,
Moulin, Blanke,

les
et

Procedes

M.

Englemann

Colette,

206

CONTENT

OF

SAN

MARCO.

S. Peter

Martyr.
and the

In

the left hand

he holds

hook

and

of his right hand forefinger placed on his mouth enjoins the filence which mould reign in the cloifter and the recollection necefTary for approaching the fanctuary.1 the door of the chapter-room, S. Dominic Above a and the book of the conflitutions. holds a difcipline the room better pointout where the reCan ligious any one accufe themfelves to meet publiclyof their the rule and to receive the penance for it? faults againft the door is painted Near a leadingto the refectory,

palm

Pieta.

The

Saviour

above

his

tomb

fhows

his hands

This is one of the moil beautiful figures for men. pierced head is of a divine of Chrift by Beato Angelico. The and very the body of very noble remarkable purity, where drawing. Over the door of the hofpice ftrangers Beato Angelico has reprefented two were entertained, Dominican receivingour Lord Jefus Chrift religious

clothed
and

is admirable, pilgrim. This composition the kindlyhofpitality, the tradition expreffes perfectly
as a

of Order of

which,

as

we

ourfelves The
:

know, is

not

loft in the their well

S. Dominic. love

two

gueftwith joy and modelled, are full

fame
1

their

receive religious heads,well drawn and

of life and

idea, Fra
Over
the door

Bartolomeo
that

To exprefs the charity.2 has painted the Difciplcs at

executed
a

["

leads to the He
has

he facrifty the

of half-figure
to

S. Peter
; but far

Martyr, indicating filence.

more

raifed forefinger
to

his

mouth

and impreflive,

far

more

calculated

invite

us

to

filence and
the

is recollection,
"

the

fevere, I would

almoft
"

fay threatening, afpect of

Translator's
fo
to

Saint."

Marchese,

by Median,
2

vol. i, p. 211.
three I do S.

note.]
fo well
moft

[" The

figures are
not

beautiful,fo devout, and

clafs them

coloured

and

delie

figned,that
executed lator's for

hefitate
"

amongft

the
vol.

works peifecl:
211.
"

Mark's."

Marchese,

by Median,

i, p.

Thans-

note.]

POINTINGS

IN

THE

CLOISTER,

tsV.

207

Emmaus is very

above

the door
to

of the of

inferior

that

refectory ; but his work Beato Angelico,both as to

expreffionand fkill. religious tunately A beautiful Aquinas, unforfigure1of S. Thomas injured, completes the decoration very much has thus prefented where of the cloifter, to our painter the example of recollecthe thoughts of his brethren tion, of fcience and of all the religious virtues, along
with The the Paffion of
our

Lord.

all the farther end of filling compoiition the chapter-room is ufually cited as the mafterpiece of is the largeft Beato Angelico. This painting and moft and the fcene of Calvary, the important, reprefents eternal and love of the object of the contemplation faints. Chrift on a very high Crofs rules the whole of the world ; he is placed between the repentant and impenitent, the good and the bad, thieves. At his feet, the confequencesof fin, marks of which a death's-head he is the victim and vanquifher. Around him, are the

great

faithful friends of his Paffion

ing Virgin,Unkthe weight of her grief, under is fupportedby a holy female ; Mary Magdalen, kneelingat the foot of the Crofs, turns without receive the Mother to riling
:

the Blefled

of the the S.

Saviour

into

her

arms.

This
one

group

is

one

of

greateftbeauty. Mark, hiftorian of

;

On

fide,S. John Baptift ;

the Paffion
;

convent

S. Lawrence

SS. the

patrons of the Medici.

fented other
their witnefTes

On of the in
an

protectorof the Cofmas and Damian, are fide, oppofite repreof

our

and

Paffion

Lord.

At Zano-

head, S. Dominic,

of grief;S. ecfiafy
leems
to

bius, bishop of Florence, who

1

be

addreffing
note.]

["A

half-figure." Marchese,
"

lac. cit.
"

Translator's

208

CONFENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

with S.Jerome proftrate and

his hands

joined; behind
and
a

him
;

above, S. Auguftin in the attitude

of with Afrifi, his little crofs his with
on

of meditation

S. Francis

ftigmata,

who,
look rod

his head his Divine

;

leaningon
Model
;

hand, cafts

S. Benedict

of penance and

S. Bernard

the preffing

feraphic holding the gofpel to his

: a

heart lime

tenderly contemplatinghis
of

mafter

fub-

figure
out

faith, ardour
the fobs

and

purity ;
;

S. Romuald, ing break-

bending

under into

weight
;

of

years

S. Gualbert and

S. Peter faints

Martyr

S. Thomas

Aquinas.

fuperabound in love, and the feelings they experienceare rendered with a variety of which of expreffion, it is impoffible and intenlity to give an idea. The whole compoiition is framed in a broad and rich divided the prophets border by medallions, in which affift at the great event they had announced. They
All hold
were,

thefe

banderols, whereon
a

are

texts

which At

form,
the

as

it

canticle in honour first

of the

truth.

Chrift,the
"

The

God
:
"

Daniel

In

whofe is name perfonage, is fuffering."1 Then of nature feven weeks and fixty-two weeks,

of right effaced,fays:
comes

Chrift

fhall be flain." Zacharias. The

art
"

See

what

I have
"

fuffered."
the prey, my
as a

Patriarch up
"

Jacob.

To

fon, thou
lion."

gone David.

thou refting In my thirft

haft crouched

they

gave

Me

vinegar to

drink."
At
1

the top of the

S.

is a pelican givinglife compofition,

When
"

[Perhaps
fabric

Dionyfius the Areopagite.

of

he

faw

the

miraculous
of
nature

daiknefs

at
or

the the

crucifixion
of the

Chrift,

he

exclaimed,
"

Either

the

God

is

fuffering,

world

is diffolved."

Translator's

note.l

PAINTINGS

IN

THE

CLOISTER,

"c.

209
"

to

its young like

"

ones

with
a

its blood.

Below

is read

am

become

of the wildernefs." pelican Ifdias. Surely He hath carried our forrows." Jeremias. O all ye that pafs by the way, attend, and
to
"

fee if there be any

forrow

like

to

EzechieL
Job.
"

"

I have

exalted

my forrow." the low tree." flefh that

we

Who

will

give us

of his

may

be filled r

of Enjthrcea. Dying he fhall die,and Sibyll three days,then fhall he be the flrft returned fleeping from hell to fee the light."1 In the lower border,Beato Angelico has reprefented the glories of S. Dominic. of the Order The holy Founder tree, placedin the middle holds a genealogical
The
u

and

the fcrolls

on

it form

on medallions,

which

are

the

faints, bifhopsand popes, cardinals,

whom the Dominican

celebrated

religious

familyhas given to the Church. On Innocent V., Cardinal Hugues de S. Cher ; one fide, the Patriarch of Gradi, Paolo Pilaftri ; S. Antoninus, archbifhop of Florence ; BlefTed Jordan of Saxony,
Beato Buoninfegna, Paglia, martyr. Benedict the oppofite On fide, XI, Beato Giovanni Dominici, Beato Pietro da Palude, BlefTed Albert the Chiaro da Great, S. Raymund of Pennafort, Beato Beato Niccola della

Deus

nature

patitur.
"

Poft

ebdomades

viiiet lxii occidetur

dormiens
me

xps.

"

Dan., ix, 26.

Accubuifti
"

Ad

predam
"

defcendifti

fili mi [afcendifii), fiti

mea

(requiefcens)
.

ut

leo.

Gen.
fum
"

xlix, 9.

In

potaverunt
"

aceto.

"

Ps.

lxviii,22.

Similis

fa"tus

pellicano folitudinis.
O
vos

Ps.

ci, 7.

Vere

languoresmeos
viam,
Exaltavi faturemur
tunc

{jiostros) ipfe
et

tulit,

liii, Ifaias 4.

omnes

qui traniite
Lam.

(Jic) per
i, 12.
ut

attendite

videte
"

fi eft dolor ficut dolor

meus.

"

Jeremias;
de

lignum
?
"

humile.

Ezeehiel, xvii, 24.

Morte
ucem

Quis

det

carnibus

ejus

Job

xxxi, 31.

morietur veniet

tribus

diebus

fomno

et fubfeepto,

ab

infernis

ad regreflus

primus.
P

2IO

CONSENT

OF

SAN

MARCO.

Sefto,S.
The

Vincent of

Ferrer,and
in this vaft

Beato

Bernardo,

one

of

the martyrs

Avignonet.1

figures

makes

right of
Lawrence. and the

mirable compofition are all adin ftyle, one drawing and expreffion only ; and it is S. Mark difparity, placed on the the Crofs, between S. John Baptifl: S. and It is badly placed and ill proportioned ; head is evidently believe this too large. We

figureto
him

be Fra

Benedetto's of

his brother

may

have

let
was

paintthe patron fub-prior.

This

the convent,

of which

he

frefco has all the

of qualities

great

tal monumen-

of it is limple and free, picture. The execution the colouring foft and full of light. The and perbut the back-ground on fonagesare very well preferved, which in a deplorable they are fet off is unfortunately with It is covered irate. a heavy tint of dirty red, which has
over

been the

fhaded outlines.

off into It is
we

grey, whilft

often

carried

impoflibleto
do
not

explain
the date

this act of and

1

vandalifm, of which

know

author.2
Many
the
"

of thefe

names

were

not

put

by

Beato

Angelico ;
beneath

this the

is evident
name

as

to

the

faints beatified after his death.

There

is ftill feen

of S. Anto-

nius, [2
heads Crofs
of the the

one

it has

replaced.
faysVafari,
"

In this work," founders

one

are

of figures

all thofe
and

faints who
the

have foot the

been
of the

and
on

of

bodies, mourning religious

on

bewailing at
crucified

fide, and

the

other
at

S. Mark
the

the

befide Evangelift,
the Saviour. her

mother Around

Son

of God, who
are

has

fainted
who
are

fightof

Virgin
Cofimo,

the

Maries,
faints

forrowing with
Damiano. friend in
a

and It

fupporting

they

are

accompanied
San

by
Fra the

the

Cofimo

and

is faid that

in the di

figure of
the

Giovanni life.
a

depicted his
this San

Nanni
frieze

d'Antonio
over

Banco,
of the
of
a

from (culptor,
the the mafter

Beneath

work,

the the

back
foot

feats,
on

executed of and

figure of
are

Domenico
in

ftanding at
which
are

tree,

branches

which
mafters

medallions,
in
to

all the
to

popes,

cardinals,
Order
of his

bifhops, faints
of

theology who
his
own

had In

belonged
this

Fra the

Giovanni's
brethren

Preaching

Friars, down

day.

work

PAINTINGS

IN

THE

CLOISTER,

fcfr.

21

The

chronicle Beato

of

San

Marco in the

mentions

another the

paintingby
Order

Angelico

of refectory
from perfonages likeneffes branches
of from

affifted him which

San V

of by procuring portraits
means

thefe

various many

different
nature. tree
"

places, by
Thefe
are
"

he

was

enabled
centre,

to

execute

Domenico
;
a

in the

who Beato

the is grafping

of the that
a

Pope Innocent
the and

Frenchman.

The

Ugone,
; Beato

firft cardinal

order ;

Beato
the

Paolo, the patriarch,a Florentine

fecond
; and the

Giordano, Bifhop (sic)

Niccolo
; the

German,
a

general of
the martyr
are left,

the

order ; the
a

Beato
are
a

Remigio,
the

Florentine
hand. On

Boninfegno, XL,

Florentine
;

; all thefe

on

right
dinal car-

Benedift

of Trevifo

Giandominico,
; the

Florentine

; Pietro

da

Palude,
of

patriarch of Jerufalem Catalonia, third

Rome

German

Alberto

Magno
Chiaro
the

the
a

Beato

Raimondo,

generalof
Vincenzio

the order ; the Beatn

di Valenza ; and

Florentine,and
a

of provincial

; San
are

Beato

Bernardo,
"

Florentine

; all thefe

heads

truly gracefuland
from

very

beautiful."

Vasari,
The
"

by

Foster,vol. ii, p. 25.

of the

garments

Holy Virgin
which
the
a

have
we

unhappily fuffered fpeak,he

thieves.

reftorers.
on

In

the chapter-room, of
on

painted
At the

the

Redeemer

the

Crofs, and
on

either

fide of Him introduced

two

foot

of the Crofs, and The

both

fides of it,he
is
one

great multitude
noble
far

of Saints. the the nude is

figure of
of the

the

Redeemer

of

rare

beauty

and

form

(lightly Giottesque ; Cinquenude

of

it is,in neverthelefs,

my

judgment,

fuperiorto

carnofe forms della Porta. of

one

centifts,not
the
two

exceptingeven
;

thofe of
but
on

Fra

Bartolommeo

The
you

thieves is inferior of

the

countenance

of

them,
of

read the
and

affurance
the

pardon, whilft
feems

that
a

of

the

other

bears At

the the

ftamp

blafphemy
the

that defpairfulnefs

foretafte

of hell. and is

CrolT's foot, on S. John

right,
one

he painted the
the

Virgin, who

has

fwooned,
throws

fupported by
to

and

of

pious women.
arms.

Magdalene
This

herfelf forward
and
"

help her, and

it does that

clafpsher
not

in her
to

is a group
of

fo beauteous
da

fo
a

touching,that
the

yield
eye

Razzi's
tears.

Swoon Then

S. Catherine
a

Siena

compofition

fills every

with

follows

beautiful
the

figure
to

of

well Baptift, whom he had

to

defigned and
preached
book
of
to

well coloured, pointing with

the

index

that

Saviour

multitude

in the

wildernefs.
defcribed

S. Mark

kneeling,points
death of the

the

the laft
not

Gofpels,in
figuresare
lefs tender Founders it may
be

which

he has

the life and and Damian.

are

Redeemer.
left
a new

The

SS. Laurence,
and

Cofmas,

On

the

fcene,
moft

itfelf. Here devout, prefents

eleven meditate
to

faints,for the
the Paffion
that of

part

of the
that of the

Orders, who Religious

the

feem

to

Chrift,and partaken
was

Angelico
of the

introduced

them

fhow
as

they had

copioufly
to

fruits

Redemption

; and

the chapter-room

meant

be

the

placefor
obfervance
as

admonifhing,
of conventual models of the

and correfting,

with the religious infpiring

fervour

for the
thefe

perhaps, he diicipline,
their

defired
firft we

to

prefent them

faints

grand
foot

for

imitation.
in

And

fee S. Dominic
a

proftrate at

the

Crofs, wrapt
Then

profound contemplation;
S.

figure

defigned and excellently

coloured.

follows

Zanobi, bifhop of
P 2

Florence,

212

CONVENT

OF

SAN

MARCO.

convent.

by the I534-1
The under

Chrift on reprefented Holy Virginand by S. John.

It

the It was

Crofs, affifted
in deftroyed

cells painted by Beato the of the infpiration They are ranged in

Angelicowere
moft
two

conftructed plicity. Simreligious

an

fevere

lines under

open

wood-work little arched

who whom

roof, and
windows.

are

narrow,

low,

and

lightedby

The

meted fpaceis rigoroufly

prophets, realized
bald old
man, in the

meditates he

the

vaticinations
his and

of

the

Redeemer,

to

points with

finger.
keeneft

That

with

white

beard, wafted
breaft
aid the

and
of

emaciated
the

by
Then

years

is the fallings,

great Jerom, who

in whofe
to

love

Crofs

blunted

the
comes

and paffions,

feems
and

beg

in his moft

direful need. of

S. Auguftin, who
one

meditates

writes.

The

Patriarch
moft

the Francifcans, the poor dolor

: a

of Chrift, is
in figure, ; but

proftrateon
there
not

the ground,

in the

overwhelming
S. Benedift Lord
or

wonderful meditation
monaftic
at

which

is indefcribable the

affection. of the

is in

deep

I know the

whether
has both moft

Paffion
his

the

revival of

in difcipline

Weft with

of

thoughts.
effufions of feeble

S. Bernard
to

lovinglygazes
"

the

Crucified, and,
into which
beneath in he the

volume a hands, clafps

the tender

his bofom

that

dear

volume

has

poured
of

his

heart.
on a

S. Romuald,
and ftaff,
to

bending
buried

weight

years, fad The

fupportshis
A
two

body
that I

feems

fome

profoundly
and weeps.

thought.
laft fublime and
are

folitary,
nican Domiwhich

take

be

S.

John

Gualberto, fobs
of Aquino,
and who

faints,S. Thomas
faved whofe the
human wound
race,

contemplates the
he
wrote to

myftery
S. Peter

of

which
he

fo

wifely;
blood

Martyr
The

gaping
this
of

tells how
are

gave

Chrift for

for

blood

figuresin
expreffion
I muft

compofition

remarkable

flowing drapery, as
great power
the

alfo for the of the

the heads, not

that

to fpeak of the

relief and

defign.

obferve, however,
a

am

not

fatisfied with
;

extremities, in which
he

there is
removed "In

negligence not
fuch blemifhes
to

unufual

to

him

whenever neverthelefs,

wifhed, he

order
on

develope
ten

ftill more
that

this effeftively furround

devout of the

meditation,

the

painter

executed,
of
our

the

hexagons

the arch

ten half-figures ceiling, to

Prophets and
Lord
; and

Sybils, holding certain fcrolls with

they
runs are
as

words
it is of the
212.

relative

the

Paffion

of On

beautiful

and

as graceful

to imagine. poffible

the

frieze that fmall

under

the frefco the

entire

length
and

the

facade, he
men

executed,
of his

in ten

the circles,
"
"

portraits of

S. Dominic

illuftrious
"

inftitute

Marchese,
a

by Median,
one

vol. i, p.
at

Translator's
make

note.]
room

[* Probably it was
for the brethren great

of the repetition

Fiefole,deftroyed to

frefco by Antonio
at

which Sogliani,

reprefentsS. Dominic
by Meehan,

and

his
"

ferved

table by the

angels. Marchese,
"

vol. i, p. 217.

Translator's

note.]

214

CONSENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

is

an

open

on portico,

which

the little cell of the

as

Virgin

opens. of San

The Marco.

architecture

is the fame

in the cloifters

It is furrounded beautiful

all covered
man

with

by an enclofed garden, which the foot of flowers,

filialhand of the
"

painter of this compofition, Hail, has written at the bottom of love,Mary, noble feat of the whole Trinity Mother :" When thou comest before this figure of and below, the fpotlefs take heed in pafnng it that the Ave Virgin,
never
"

has

trodden.

The

be

not

unfaid."1 Annunciation
is

Another

paintedin

cell,and

has

fomething more perhaps

kneels and
1

on

feems
Salve, Mater
cum

to

heavenly. The Holy Virgin flool ; the angel is Handing before her, be waitingfor her anfwer. Behind him
totius Trinitatis

et pietatis, ante

nobile
cave

triclinium, Maria.
ne

Virginis
"

intafte

veneris
us

figuram, pretereundo
one

fileatur Bleffed

ave.

This
at

inthe

fcriptionreminds
beautiful

of

the

adorning
at

the
:
"

ftatue

of

the

Virgin

portalof the
"

Dalbade,

Touloufe

Chreftien, fi mon
Ne
en differe,

amour

eft
me

en

ton
un

cceur

grave',

de paffant,

dire

Ave.
of the

["The
upper

firft that

itfelfis prefents

an

Annunciation
are

Bleffed

Virgin,in
a

the

of which dormitory, the figures

fomewhat habitation
much

lefs than
of in
our

life-fize. On

fuper-

ficies,ten
a

palms

in

length,he painted
on

the

Lady, furrounded

by
which

veftibule,which
executed
that of
at

refts

Corinthian

columns,
the

the
not

ftyleof
of

that

he

Cortona

; and On

though
the
a

perfpe"ive is
is the the

it perfect.,

is better

than

the

former.

outfide

little Garden

Mary,
to

enclofed her

by

thick

hedge and

railing ;
her
are

figure employed by
Maiden
a

Church
on

denote
unadorned

unblemifhed chair ; the

her

virginity. The
colour her
of
arms

Holy
is croffed

of Nazareth
her
azure

is feated

an

tunic

pale red,
on

mantle
and her

falls in
countenance,

folds
if

over not

knees,

her

bofom,

remarkable Her
her

for great beauty, is falls gracefully on

in the

refplendentwith
her fhoulders, and

the

calm

ferenityof Paradife.
and

fair hair

fo humble
dear

devotional almoft

is

whole

attitude, that
'

prefence of
A

this

image, we
our
on

feel the

AngelicalSalutation,
of and the

Hail, full of Grace,'

trembling on
fmile
on
:

lips.
.

The

figure

Archangel
one

is

trulybeautiful.
of

fweet
arms

plays
his

his celeftial feems Dante

features,
to

bending
the
"

knee, and

croftinghis Mary's by Meeha/i,

breaft, he
that

await de-

anxioufty

announcement

confent

it is thus
"

has

i'cribed him."

Marchese,

vol. i, p. 218.

Translator's

note.]

PAINTINGS

IN

THE

CLOISTER,

"c.

215

and

outfide

the

famous

for his

portico,is feen S. Peter Martyr, fo purity. This compositionis ravifhingly

in the panels S. Peter Martyr and S. with are Mary and kneeling, little Divine Child a lying on
one on

beautiful. recalls the Nativity Academy of Fine Arts. The Catherine of Alexandria adore the the

Jofeph, to
The the The

out ftraw, and ftretching

his little arms

to

his Mother.

and

The

in the Temple has great relation with Prefentation compolitionof Giotto, in the Academy of Fine Arts. able remarkof the Blessed Virgin is particularly figure for its limplenefs. The lines of her mantle Straight of her body. garment veil the form and movements the Child Jefus to lovinglyprefies aged Simeon S. Peter

his heart.
or

Martyr, and
witnefTes

the

Anna prophetefs

Beata

Villana

are

of the fame.1 may

The be

Adoration

which of the Magi is a mafterpiece, with all in had

a

advantageouflycompared
moft

art

then

duced pro-

perfect.
;

It is executed
de

cell it

than larger
to

the there

others
and

Cofimo

Medici

made,
and
our

go
two

converfe he

with

S. Antoninus

whom painters, IV.

loved. particularly when it, he of

went to

Pope Eugenius prefideat

in the

alfo inhabited of

confecration This ceremony

the took
was

church

San

Marco,

1442.

Epiphany, and
The Council

the feftival of the place on the grand feftival of the period. had feen the Eaft adore

of

Florence

[[

"

Nothing
or

can

be

truer

than the

his

manner

of

pourtrayingthe
the hands

affeftion of One
one

the
his

Mother,
arms.

the

jubilee of
this

aged
has

Simeon,

clafpingthe
at

Promifed

in

Although
the and

pifture

fuftained

injury

of fome

who
of

removed Simeon

primitive ground,
the Mother."
"

it is ftillvery

in the beautiful,particularly
220.
"

heads

Marchese,

ly Meehan,\o\. i, p.

Translator's

note.]

216

CONSENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

Chrift in the bofom and the

of the Roman

Church.

The

ror empe-

the ambavYadors of Constantinople, patriarch of Ethopia and their fubto prefent were come Syria, miffion and homage to it in the perfon of the fuccefibr of S. Peter; and the our fplendidfeftivals .which that occasion, under the painter faw celebrated on Maria dei Fiori, muft neceffarily have vaults of Santa The Adoration influenced his imagination. of the Magi of the Renaifisafubjectoften chofen by the painters in it great luxury of fance,becaufe they could difplay coftumes and drapery.Beato Angelicopaintedit in the cell of Coiimo and de Medici mould
as an

infrrucfion their

to

the rich

who powerful,
at

lay down

and fceptres

their treafures The fcene

the feet of Chrift.

: admirably difpofed

is

the

the reprefents have crofTed.

mountains The

of

Judea of

the

back-ground Magian kings

is indicated is the
on

grotto
The fhe

Bethlehem

by

flat furface of wall. of

an

throne Holy Virgin's the Child Jefus

faddle

afs, and

holds

her

knees, who
fcarce embrace offered

bleffes the old

to

and Magian king,proftrate his head

and

daring
his

put

out

hand He

to

the feet of the

Deiired

of Nations.

has

which S. Jofeph holds ftanding prefent, this perfonageare the the Holy Virgin. Behind near other two kings and their fuite, compofed of warriors holds a of them in oriental coftumes. One and fages has led them indicate the fcience which to to fphere, the feet of the Saviour. up into the Two
men on

horfeback

look the

fky at
doubt

the ftar which

has ftood ftill over

ftable.
;

All thefe
no

the

whom period,

full of life and drawn are figures fectly perof celebrities of they prefent portraits it is impoffible for us now to recogniie.

POINTINGS

IN

THE

CLOISTER,

"c.

2l7

the painters, who then beginwere imitating with the liftlefsheads Handing their pictures ingtofill before the fpectator, Beato Angelico has brought them the flageand imparted to them all the perfectly upon fentiments of faith and adoration.

Inftead of

By
Arts,

its

beauty and
from the it is very Gentile

execution, this paintingrecalls the Defcent

Crofs much
de

in

the

Academy

of

Fine

and

of the Magi, by to the Adoration fuperior Fabriano, in the fame Gallery.1

The

Baptifm of
of dove

our

Lord The

takes

place in

folitude
under

furrounded the form with Two

and

with rocks.
a

Holy

Ghoft

appears

Iky,and lights up all the fcene his rays. Lord is baptized by S. John. Our angelsare holding his garments, on the right; the left, faint and a male faint, Domion a female
at

in the

nicians,are

prayer.
us

The

and ftyle

the faults in proportion Fra

make

attribute

this

compofltion to
a

Benedetto. Two cells have been

to fupprefled,

open

commu-

["The
that

back

ground prefents a
feduce

diftant

view
or

of the mountains foul from

and the

of

Judea

; and

in

order

nothing might

the eye them

the

contemplation
in

of the

the

he fubjefts, principal is feen the

divefted

of verdure

foliage. Hollowed
the On

living rock
poor

miferable has
her

grotto which
Divine Son
on

firft fheltered
her

Saviour.
her

The

Virgin is feated, and

the

knees.
of

left is her

who fpoufe,

contemplates an
ground,

offering made profound

laid down

by
his

one

the
a

Kings.

Before

them,
the
the

proftrateon
firft of Divine who the

in mod

adoration, is
diadem,

hoary-headed king, approaches his lipsto

him is the

Magi, who,
with

having
anxiety

Infant, who,

childifh grace,
to

bleffes him.
the fame

Behind

fecond,

kneels, and
of the

evinces

perform
Then

act of devotion.
a

The

third, the
and

youngeft

three, is ftanding.
and thefe
an

follows fome
of

long

train

of footmen

fervitors, admirably arranged

and in hand order of
to one

grouped;

whom

difcourfe

animatedly;
placed
in thus

fhow of

that them

princes were

(killed in aftronomy, he

the

as armillaryfphere,

though
way

he
to

would

feek to This
but

account

for that
is

wonderful

ftar which

had others

lightedtheir
are

Bethlehem.
the

idea

exprelTed. beautifully
can

The

engaged
on

with

horfes ;

nothing

be

more

than graceful

the laft figure

the

which left,

a reprefents

2l8

CONSENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

nication
were,
our

with Lord

the

library. The fubjects reprefented Jefus in the Defert, and his triumphant
There remains the

entry into Jerufalem.

fubjecta
his hands

beautiful

figure of

only of the firft with Saviour, fitting

to

garments
The

and his eyes raifed clafped are admirably draped.

on

heaven.

His

Sermon

the Mount.

Chrift is fpeaking to

the

Apoftlesfittingin a circle at his feet. He has his holds a paper and rolled up in the righthand railed, of the perfonages, The and other. lingular difpofition and their badly-drawn poflures heads, make us nize recoghand again. Fra Benedetto's The Transfiguration.This compoiition is full of greatnefsand majefty. Chrift standing on a rock,
with his his
arms

extended

in

crofs,fhows
for the

himfelf

in
and

glory.
may

This The be

type

is admirable of

calmnefs

grandeur.

Chrift
more

Raphael
man

elegantand
over

Transfiguration by bold, but the one

the

endeavouring to
to

gaze

at

the ftar,beaming

grotto, whilft
of

he

ufes his

hand of

his proteft
we

eyes

its againft

blinding rays.
Blefled
better

Speaking
Infant

the artiftic merits

are

this work,

may

fay that
could
have

the

Virgin and

fupernaturally
than kifs the

beautiful. of
the

Nothing
nor can

been better other from that

defignedand

coloured defire
to

firft

Magi,

anything
The
that
two

exprefshis burning
of figures
their group the

the

holy
for
ours

feet of the
the

Redeemer. grace
the

kings poffefsequal merit

; but and
no

and nobility

beam

countenances

words

of

could

defcribe

of perfection
about the

of

courtiers
In

pages, who, knows

not

gathered
which of

together, converfe
fhould
be mod

wondrous

event.

facl: one
or

piaifed,the
are

beauty
the

of

the

attitudes,
of the

the

arrangement

the Xo

draperies, that
one

in

every

worthy refpeft
whole
and has

moft

celebrated

painter.

will

refufe grace fo

to

recognife in
the

compofition a happy
thefe charafteriftics all the

imitation
are

of that

life and

to Mafolino; peculiar

able noticechiefly extremities

to

in the
are

relief which
nor

Angelico
the

given
lack
a

to

figures.The
calculated
much

well
heart ;
"

defigned;
or

does
We

entire think

finglebeauty
time
to

gladden
to

the

the do

eye.

grieveto
in

that power
"

has

done

injury

this

work ruin."

nor

I know

if it be

man's

preferveit

from

approaching

Marchese,

by Median,

vol. i, p. 221.

Translator's

note.]

PAINTINGS

IN

THE

CLOISTER,

"c.

2 1

by
and

Beato

Angelico
and the
to

is

truer

and

more

divine.
in the

The

heads

of Mofes
leave

Elias

appear

only

clouds,

figure all its importance. principal of the Apoftlesvery well exprefs The poftures the dazzling of the lightand the trouble of the exftacy. The Inftitution of the Eucharifl. Our Lord gives the Apoftlesfitting to or Holy Communion kneeling.
Faith the Fra and love
movements

mine

on

all their heads

countenances.

But of

falie

and

too

big give notice

Our from Lord the

Benedetto's The

hand.1 the Garden

of Olives.

Prayer in

ing kneel-

receives The three

the chalice

of the Paflion

has whom fleep Apoftles, the foreground. Near Martha them, and as a contraft, and Mary are feen in a cell, who usually perfonify the active and contemplativelives; but here Mary is has her hands claiped. reading in a book, and Martha Has tell that it is necefBeato Angelico wifhed to not and the Saviour with by meditation fary to watch and noblenefs. full of nature are prayer ? All thefe figures The of our The Lord Betrayal by Judas. group Chrift cafts a the faithlefs Apoftle is very fine. and him whom he ftill calls his look of compafiion on friend.

angel. overpowered,are in

Chriftin
the with eyes.

the Prcetorium. his

The

Saviour

is feated in all

majeftyof
The

thorns, and
reed

voluntaryignominies. He is crowned has a tranlparent bandage over his

he holds anfwers him for

governing
method
of with with the the his

['

"The

inftitution

of

the

Sacrament,
at

in

which,

following

the and

Giottefque, he painted the Apoftlesfeated

chalice
"

the

myftic Supper,
the

Jefus
hoft

in his

left

hand

whilft

he

prefents to
222.

them
"

confecrated

right." Marchese,

by Meehati, vol. i, p.

Translator's

note.]

220

CONSENT

OF

SAN

MARCO.

the world.

The

executioners is

are

abfent fet-ofFs

but the

on

the of that

hangings of
the fervant ftrike and

the throne who

leen,
his the

as

head

in fpits

face, and
of fteps

the the

hands

outrage him.

On

throne, the
This

Holy Virgin and S. Dominic is limple and compofltion

Chrift goes hiftorical carries follow

meditate fublime.1

the Paffion.

up

to

Mount
a

Calvary.

This The

is

not

an

fcene, but
Crofs A the

pious inftrucliion.
his looks

Saviour
men

his him.
or

meekly, and

invite

to

tian foul dolorous

who the Chrifholy woman, reprefents in the Church, walks in his footfteps A Dominican kneels religious
on

way.

this

paffage. to faftened Chrift

in which like
an

the

Crofs.
rendered.
; a

This

compoiition, particularly
manner

is beautiful, the

remarkable

for the novel The Crofs

as

is fubjecl:

is fet up for fteps and

are

altar for facriflce Our his Lord

arms

littleladder ferves

the victim.

has
to

ftretches

out

voluntarily gone up, the executioners,who

his head and

piercinghis
[x
the ftudied therefore
"

hands.

He

bows

raifes his

As

the

profound devotion
of the His

of the

Angelico would expofed to

nendifh

not

allow

him

to

reprelent

facred humanity
to

Redeemer

outrage and
of His

he derifion,

make

divinity appear
feated
the in

under

the

lowly garb
a

mortality.

He

painted Jefus
the

great majefty on
us

throne,
eyes,

folded, but, though blindwhich

are

of tranfpaiency

veil allows holds

we

to

fee His
the

ftern
a

and

threatening.
bunch

His
Of

right hand
the Him

the
can

globe,and only
fee the

inftead left, and

at

of

a fceptre,

of

rods.

fcoffers
is

hands

faces.
foot

The

white thione

garment
are

that

covers

draped. beautifully
and

Seated
the
on

the

of the

the

Dolourated
attitude the is

Virgin

S.
an

Dominic,
open

on

right
his

and

left ; the
and

latter,

whofe

holds graceful,
of

volume Word.

knees

profoundly
fame
tender

meditates

humiliations
of

the the

Divine Redeemer

Motived

by the
the S.

devotion, inftead
he

exhibiting
to

writhing under placesbefore

"

lafh, fcourger's
Dominic,
who

reprefents Him

bound

the

and pillar;

Him

inflifts the
p. 223.
"

on difcipline

his

own

naked

moulders.

Marchess,

by Median,

vol. i,

Translator's

note.]

222

CONVENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

the

be placed to voluntarily the Crofs ; He does not make on any complaint nor whilft he was And refiftance.' wondering at Him, the Lord then He Jefus went neceftary, up as high as was the ladder, extended His arms in a princely turned on

Prophet

appears

to

go

up

manner,

and
to

offered

His

hands How

to

thofe many

who

were

charged
would The
art

piercethem."1
in thefe

infpirations

againfind

pious and poeticlegends!

the

amidft Crucifixion. Chrift,

agoniesof death,

the good thief.2 At to promifesthe joys of paradife the foot of the Crofs,the Holy Virgin and S. John, who extends his arms, imitate to are weeping. S. Dominic Another the Saviour. Dominican kneeling holds an This compofitionis beautiful ; but the open book. faults in drawing and proportions attribute it make us
to

Fra The

Benedetto. Death Beato

of Our

Lord

is

in again reprefented the

moment

two

cells. foldier

Angelico has
the head the A eyes

chofen

when

the

the Longinus pierces

under
to

Saviour's

and fide,

makes

gufh
which
thofe foot

out

of his of

is

heal

fpearthe divine blood his body, and to purify

faint kneels
turns
at

of his foul. of the Crofs.

Dominican The hands

the and

Virgin Mary
:

away
to

hides her face in her

Martha

advances and

fuplection. recolThe

port her.

This The

fcene

is full of

devotion is very

figure of Longinus
drawn very

fine.

are draperies

remarkably.
the Dominic
and

In another

cell,
the

Chrift has for witnefies of his death S.

Holy Virgin andS.

John

on

one

S. fide,

Jerome

on

other.
1

The

of ftyle
e

all thefe
V.

figuresis very
p. 40.

beautiful.

S. Marco Hodie

illuftrato
mecum

incifo.

"

Marchese,

eris in

paradifo.

PAINTINGS

IN

THE

CONSENT,

"c.

22$ of the

the fame S.Jerome prefents Descent

and

type
the

as

in the frame

from

the

Crofs, in the Academy of Fine

frefco
and

Arts,
His and

in the

great

in

chapter-room.
his book of penance

emaciation,his
defert. The Burial.

fhort

poor

garment,

recall his difcipline

life of

ftudy and
women

in the

The
our

holy
Lord,

and

S.

John

the

of S. Dominic. prefence this compolition to We believe be by Fra for Benedetto, who may have been inlpired, efpecially in the head of Chrift, by the Burial we have admired the Academy of Fine Arts.

EvangelifT bury

in the

We into

will alfo attribute

to

the fame

artift the Descent dwelt. The

Limbo, in the cell where

fame the
as

S. Antoninus
one

is the compolition of
our

the

he made of Fine
out

in the Life Chrift hand

to

Lord,
as

in

Academy
and

Arts. his

enters

conqueror,

ftretches

Abraham,
at

the father of the of whom the fall of clefts of

movement

who faithful, Adam of and

leads the Eve.

juft,
is

the head

walk

Satan

crufhed
nee

by

the gate the

hell,and the devils

The

into

the

rock. and

figureof
;

the

Saviour other

has fome

noblenefs

but

in the

which there are Beato grofs faults, perfonages larly Angelico could not have committed ; the feet particudrawn. are horribly The ting the Tomb. The at angel is fitHoly Women the edge of the empty tomb, and announces on the refurreclion by his gefture. Chrift appears in the the ftandard of victory. upper part, with the palm and fee him, and look into the The do not holy women tomb
do

with

fadnefs. This
to

group

is admirable Behind

and would the

honour

the

mafters. greateft

angel

224

CONFENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

is

be a kneeling figure of S. Dominic ; it is faid to Beato Angelico has, perhaps,painteda religious, portrait.
a

which
an

may
a

have

been

afterwards

decorated

with

is executed compofition fweetnefs of tone with wonderful and foftnefs of light. In a lonely and Noli me choice tangere. garden Jelus appears to Mary Magdalen, as the gardener who cultivates the flowers of virtue is in the foul
;

aureola

and

ftar.

All this

but
not

he
to

paffeson, charging her, who

be
too

adoring him,
of his
out

much

attached
on

to

the fweetnefs ftretches

prefence.
her hands It is im-

Mary Magdalen
towards him
;

her knees

fhe is ardent leffon in

but

fubmiffive.

pofhbleto give this

The Coronation

myftic life better.

Beato

Angelico has with his ordinary treated his much-loved fubjecl: fection. perChrift and the Holy Virgin, in glory, seated are The Son puts the heavenly clouds. on crown light upon the head of his Mother, who humbly bows and feems of the Lord.1" It again to fay, Behold the handmaid
"

of the Virgin.

is the tranflation

of the verfe of

Petrarch,
gloria."

"

ftava

tutta

humile

in tanta

Both
as

are

clothed with the fame

the fame flefh this

with

in S.

exftacy affift at

mining garment, and fame purity. Some faints triumph of the Bleffed Virgin ;
be said
to

white

Paul, S. Benedict, S. Dominic, S. Francis, S.Peter

have shared in well.1
mod

Martyr. Our painter may their exftacy, render it so to

[*
of the "The laft of the in

frefcos, and

the

beautiful

of

them

all,in
is the his

which

he

fuch difplays

maftery

depicting the ineffable joys of heaven,

This, indeed, is far
the
more

Coronation the de-

Blefled

Virgin.
the

celeftial than

picture on
to

fame

in fubjecl:

of gallery

Uffizj. We,

however,

will

endeavour

POINTINGS

IN

THE

CLOISTER,

fefr.

225

Beato

Angelico has paintedfor

beautiful Madonnas.

another Child be S.

one religious

of his molt
on

The
to

Jefus {landing

his Mother's

knees, feems
the

of theologians greater! Thomas Aquinas. Laftly,on the wall Angelico has offered another the Madonna
and

Church,
the the

teachingthe two Auguflineand S.

of
to

upper

Beato dormitory, piety of his brethren the patron faints of S.

furrounded

with

convent

Order,
on

S.

Mark,

Cofmas,
and
on

S. Dathe

mian, and S. Dominic,

S. S. Dominic holds

the

right ;
and

left,
the

Paul, S. Lawrence, S. Thomas, and S. Peter Martyr.

a

book

points in

it

to

bequefl he left his children : "Have pofTefs humility, voluntarypoverty.

fcribe how
our

charity, keep
I call down the

the
to

artift

developed
the

his

devout

conception
this
on a

for, indeed, we
has

confefs
awakened is
arched overon

inability
our

exprefs the
He

fenfations

which feated

gloriouswork
white

in

heart.

painted

Virgin
She
her

cloud, which
arms are

by
her bofom,
her Divine

charming
a

rainbow.
is
on

is robed (he

in white, her leans

folded

gentlefmile
'Mid

and lips,

forward gracefully
of

towards Word hold

is the the

Son. her

all the
feems

glory,(he
to crown

is the her.

humbled He
does

all.

The

feated

by

fide, and
in His
"

not,

however,

golden
Mother's
wears
a

diadem of

His

hands

on

the

contrary, He
had ordered
us

barely touches
it to the go and

it with

extremity

as fingers, a

though

He

encircle
He appears

His alfo
to

temples
white
as

fublime

idea, that reminds

with
a

of of

creative Fiat.

robe, which
the air. feet he
a

is fhaded

tint light

chiarofcuro,and

be

as

fubtile At

In the

the Angelico has excelled drapery of thefe figures three

him-

felf.

their
on

painted
cloud,

Saints
are

on

the in

right and

three

on

the

left ; they

alfo ftand
Here he

white

and

wrapt
Dante

ecftafy, contemplating this

of thofe of

glory.
a

has

more

followed clofely

; for he
one

difpofed thefe fix figureson

femicircular who SS.

line,as though they

and dance

conftituted round the

garlands of Blefied fpirits

the

fing inceffantly
Paul, Thomas,
and hands

throne Peter their it may

Eternal.
; and

They

are

Francis, Benedift, Dominic,

raifed ftands the
to

Martyr
countenances

they all have

beam

their eyes beatitude.

heaven.
in

From

joy and
tranf-

Whofoever
of fociety the

prefence of
The

almoft
this

fancy himfelf

lated to the

Bleffed.

tinting of
it looks
to
more

is fo delicate hiftory
a

and
a

and tranfparent,

fo fine, that pencilling

as

like

celeftialvifion than

painting ; and, perhaps, it appeared

it."
"

fuch

the
"

devout

artift in the

aft of colouring

Marchese,

by Median,

vol. i.,p. 225.

Translator's

note.]
a

226

CONSENT

OF

SJN

MARCO.

curse

of

God

and my

mine Order."1 the

on

him This

who

fhall

bring
one

into pofTeffions of the moft is

compofitionis
of San Marco. in
an

perfectin
All well the which the

convent

The lent exceland

came

execution

free,the figures well

drawn

and

ftyle.
life
to
:

perfonages are
us

full of nobleness

they

reprefent to
ftandard of

the

religiouswho
in
on

plant

the
was

reform

the

city of
fide.

Florence,

corruption
as

invading
for

every

They
for

were

fried diftingui fcience

and

much The

their
movement

fanctity as
duced promade the be-

their

genius.

great

in the itfelf

Church

by
Ferrer ihone the

S. Catherine her

of

Sienna,
It
;
was

particularly felt
of S. Vincent

within and

Order.

epoch
fide

S. Antoninus Giovanni of

and

Beato the

Angelico
light of
the moft

Padre

of Montenegro, who the

was

Council

Florence,
minds which of

admired fent
to
was

by

diftinguifhed
reconciliation duration. fair
convent

Eaft,

conclude
of fo

the fhort !

nately unfortu-

O,

fweet !

afylum
May
the
me,

little cells !

lonely
! How ! It

cloifters
can

you time

fee your I

ancient

days again
your
m

forget

paffed beneath

fhadow

was

eafy for
the with

whilft

ftudying
of the

your

to afterpieces,

call up lived

recollection Beato

holy generation
its beautiful found
a

which

Angelico.
once

I faw
more

images
in

in thofe thofe who

pictures, and
gave
me

its virtues

fo benevolent

hofpitality.
voluntariam
in
meo

Caritatem

habete,
Dei
et

humilitatem
meam

fervate, paupertatem

poffidete.
Ordine.

Maledi6tionem

imprecor

pofieffionesinducenti

HAPTER

XII.

BEA70

ANGELICO

AT VATICAN."

ROME."

CHAPEL

OF

THE

(1445- 1 4 55.)

EATO

ANGELICO Rome.

had That

to

pafs his

at laftyears centre

feemed
return

the city, of hiftory, and of the world fprung to life again after the of
were

the

popes.

Its

ments monu-

admired,
its it ; and

its ruins

terroga inup.
leen
new

dug mafterpieces
we

All how

artifts made

pilgrimageto
of the

have

and architects, fculptors

paintersbrought
RenaifTance.

ideas

back,

and
as

the

germ

Beato

Angelico was
thefe wonders
to

capableas
but it
was

his fellow-citizens of
not

admiring

pagan

Rome

he wifhed

holy,the catacombs, the tomb and that battle-field of Chriftianity of the Apoftles, heathenifm, thofe temples conquered by the martyrs, if he the Capitol. And and the Crofs of Chrift upon
fee,it was
Rome the
a 2

228

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

ROME.

admired

the

ftatues

wealth
more

of their faithful
to

vanquifhed gods and the his heart was therebymade onlyfpoil, had triumphed over the Truth, which
of the about quitFlorence for Rome Pope Eugenius IV., who had particularly of San Marco, called at the convent This was, without the Vatican. doubt,
to

them. Beato the year

Angelico had
1445.
him

known him
at to

decorate

the

time
at

of

the deceafe

of

Archbifhop Zabarella,in
be fixed the actly fact inex-

1445, and

that

period muft
us

related This
to

by

Vafari. tells that Beato

hiftorian

Angelicowas

called

him by Nicholas V., who wifhed to nominate of Florence. And Giovanni to the archbifhopric as Fra a perfonof appeared to the pope to be, as he really was, moft holy life, gentleand modeft, he judged him, on the Rome
"

of Florence becoming vacant, worthy of archbifhopric the Friar,when he heard that dignity. But it, beas fought his Holinefs to provide fome other perfon, he did not feel himfelf capableof governingthe people; in his religion and faid that there was a Friar,a lover of the poor, very
on

learned,able
whom

to

govern, be

and

one

who
to

feared confer

God,
the

it would himfelf. what thus

much The
was

better

and this,

than on dignity remembering that the

pope

he faid
was

hearing true, freely

of

grantedhim
the Order
a an man one

favour,and
for merit

Fra

Antonino,

of

Preachers,made

trulyrenowned
in fhort
our own
as

to

of Florence, archbifhop holinefs and learning, fuch being canonized by Adrian

VI.
1

in
E

time."1
fra

perche al papa
e

parve

Giovanni, ficcome
vacando

era

veramente, in

perfona
tempo

di

fan-

tiffiraa vita, quieta

modefta,

l'arciveicovado

quel

di Firenze

2JO maintained

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

ROME.

the

choice
to

and humility,
to return to

wrote

againftthe reflftance of his him from Rome, orderinghim

of where Fiefole, he would be

the

convent

of his fee. to take pofTeffion fought in great pomp of two Beato Angelico enjoyed the friendship great the best Eugenius IV. and Nicholas V. were popes. made in the fifteenth century. God Church to His gifts The miffion of Eugenius IV. was reform to discipline heal the wounds inflicted by the fchifm and on ligion, reand he had all the virtues and talents neceffary rich by birth, he might and Noble to carry it out. have afpired honour he ftrove to fly to ; but every them his fortune by diftibuting amongft the poor, Venice. and at fhutting himfelf up in a convent his uncle Gregory XII. went, to take and place Thither the lightupon the candleftick. him Endowed with as and a generous heart,he was the afuperiorintelligence friend of the poor, and an apoftle devoted full of zeal for the reform of the Church, the fpread of the faith, the beauties of worfhip. When and he mounted the Chair threatened of Peter, the fynod of Bafle the Weft the with
a

new

fchifm.

We

cannot

admire he

too

much

to lay difplayed the danger. But the great glory of his pontificate was the Council of Florence : the good fhepherdneglected to means no bring back the feparatedfheep to the fold. He nor nor fparedneither pains, fteps, ; expence his coft the emperor the of Conftantinople, and at of the Eaft, and the Greeks conducted were patriarchs received in Italy. This event and a brilliant was over victoryfor the nations of the Weft. The Greeks themfelves owned the fuperiority of the Latins in the arts as

and mildnefs,patience

firmnefs

CHAPEL

OF

THE

VATICAN.

iwell
as

23 the conquerors

in the fciences.

The

truth united
one

and

the

conquered again in
which Maria clofed dei the

fame

triumph,and
the

the

ceremony of Santa

council, under
a

dome

Fiori,was
and earth.

light worthy of
The refult would

the admiration have faith

of heaven been

greater than
had
was

that of the
not

Crufades,if the
it fo and

bad

of the Greeks whole world

rendered
;

tranfitory.The

at

peace

France

Germany

were

reconciled from the

moment

with

the

holy fee,
unity.
confole It
was

ambaffadors

haftened all

the moft

diilant its

and countries,

the faith fhonein

of fplendour which God

perhapsthis
of Sienna in

folemn

rapt S. Catherine
to

ecftacy,
of the alfo

when fchifm

willed

her for the horrors VI.

"

fhe faw arife under

Urban

Eugenius IV.

joy, and might have fung the canticle of the aged Simeon, when, juftbefore his death, he received the laft ambafTadors of the peace. Nothing is more
than the account of his end. After he had celebrated afFecling he fell illall at once holy mafs on Chriftmas-day, and He his approachingdeath. called S. announced then faw Beato affifl him, who Antoninus to Angelico the facraments, Eugenius IV. again. Before receiving delivered admirable an difcourfe,in the prefenceof the afTembled with humility, cardinals. In it he gives, he rejoicesto of his glorious account an pontificate; fee all people united,and leaves them the heritage of the peace and example of Jefus Chrift ; he givesthe cardinals counfels for the future,and afks of them only The next day, the feaft of prayers and a fimpleburial. S. Peter's Chair, S. Antoninus fpoke long to him on the joys of heaven which he was going to enter, and he took
1

felt great

Vie de S. Catherine

de

Sienne,

ii. parte,

chap.

10.

232

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

ROME.

of poffeffion was fayingto The

it

at

the

very

moment

when

the

Church

him

"Depart, Chriftian
which named of Santa Maria

soul."1
met

conclave

his fucceffor

in the

Dominican Beato pay who

zane

church
was

Angelico
to
name

homage
took had of the

the

fopraMinerva, and of the firft to one confequently Cardinal Archbifhop of Bologna,

V.
our

of Nicholas

Tommafo

de Sar-

known particularly

Council de Medici

Florence, when
to

he

was

painterduring the charged by Cofimo

of the Convent of San library Marco Angelicofound in the new Sovereign ; fo Beato Pontiff an affectionate and worthy protector. the moft Nicholas V. is, to name perhaps, glorious oppofe to those who pufh ignorance and falfehood fo far as even boldly to accufe the Popes of having obftacle to the progrefs of fcience and art. been an No the new more was one era capable of inaugurating which after the Council of opened for the Church Florence, and of guiding the intellectual movement
at

form

the

the

moment

of the

RenahTance have

in the dire 61 and

true

path. Nicholas
if this allowed movement, itfelf
to

V. would

to his given his name in its principle, had legitimate

age,
not

be led X.

antiquity. Leo

of heathen aftray by idolatry his own only to an epoch of gave Nicholas

arts

corruptionand decay.
more

V. has

done certainly

for the fciences afforded them

and
a

than

all the

Medici,

and

none

more

and intelligent

effectual

protection.
Born in
an

humble
to

and flation, inftruct

obligedto ftruggle
the
torn,

againft poverty
1

himfelf, ftill at
Rohrbacher,

age
xxi.,

Hiftoire

Univerfelle

de

l'EglifeCatholique, par

1. lxxxii., p.

587.

CHAPEL

OF

THE

VATICAN.

233 of the the

of

twenty-two

years,

he

won

the htft honours

of Bologna. He merited, too, univerfity and Niccolo in rememof Beato brance Albergati, friendfhip learned of his

benefactor, he

chofe

the

name

for his

Being employed in difficult negociations pontificate. by Pope Eugenius IV., he turned his long journeysto and his by ftudying languages and manufcripts, profit, led to his being entrufted with the organizareputation tion which the learned men of all the public on libraries,

Being unanimoully of cardinals, he accepted nominated pope by the college the heritage of Eugenius IV.,and effaced the laft traces of the fchifm by pardoning Felix V. When the Greeks had the turban and drawn to the tiara, down preferred upon which themfelves the chaftifements ftill lairing, he are with the zeal of S. Bernard. acted againft Iflamifm
were

of

the RenauTance

bulled.

The

civilization with

which

he

combatted

the enemies The

and developedwithin. without, he protected of jubilee of

more

great

1450

all nations

brought around him the reprefentatives of the earth, a religious concourfe far

than thofe civilizing impoling and far more organifedin our days. Nicholas the progrefs V. fought,above to favour all, To
over

of fcience. he fent all

collect its facred the

and

profanetreafures

procured manufcripts of the libraryof for their weight in gold ; he dreamt Men Alexandria for Rome. of learning were lodged in the Vatican and He magnificentlyentertained. caufed the poets, the Greek and the fathers hiftorians,
of the Church the head of
to

earth, and

be

this

Manetto,

fo well

and placedat copiedand tranflated, the celebrated and pious movement direct it. The fine arts to qualified

2,34
alfo owed
as

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

ROME.

much

to

him.

He

deiired

to

reftore

Rome,

He the ftreets larger, made Auguftus had done. raifed magnificent and laid the foundations buildings, of the Balilica of San Pietro. Truth his paflion, was it in all and for all ; he defired it efpeand he wifhed of his ciallyfor himfelf, and regrettedthe honours obflacles calculated to deprive him of it. as pontificate him with whom he He called about holy religious, lived in the ftridteft intimacy. Beato Angelicowas one friends. Vafari gives us of his privileged a proof of this intimacy. Fra Giovanni," fayshe, man was a of fimplicity, and moft holy in his habits ; and he gave this evidence of his goodnefs,that when Pope Nicholas V. wifhed one morning to givehim dinner, he fcrupled without his prior's to eatflefh not licence, on reflecting the higher authority of the pontiff."1 This affection
"

"

lafted

until

death.

Nicholas
was

V.

would

make

the

epitaph himfelf,which
Under the

charm

of

thefe

engraved on his tomb. Beato glorious friendfhips,

of
to

Angelico pafTedthe laft ten years We have throne. now pontifical

Rome
was

his

life

near

the ence influ-

fludy the
This

exercifed it

on

his been.

talent. The

influence

what

ought to

have

artiftsof Florence
to

were

enamoured

of ancient

art, even any

Beato idolatry.

Angelico was
its

quiteas capableas

of them

his admiration mafterpieces ; but him from remaining Chriftian. He did not preciousveflels of Egypt to raife up the

appreciating did not keep employ the golden calf,

e

of

Fu

fra Giovanni bonta di

lemplice uomo
volendo della
came
una

fantiffimo

ne' fuoi coftumi, Niccola

V.

quefto faccia
fi

fegno della
autorita

fua, che mangiar

mattina, papa
fenza

darglidefinare,
non

fece cofcienza

licenza del fuo Priore,

penfando

all

del Pontefice.

CHAPEL

OF

THE

VATICAN.

235
nant cove-

but

melted with

them the

down

to

fet off the ark of the

and to embroider the pureftornaments, of the fancluary.His infpiration magnificentdraperies His the fame. led not genius was always remained

aftrayinto imitation of the ancients. his ftyle assumed more richer, only were without we loiingany of the qualities
in him. Beato the

His

materials

grandeur,yet
have mired alreadyad-

Angelico paintedtwo chapelsin the Vatican, which was chapelof the Holy Sacrament deftroyed
Paul III.
to

under

form the

the

ftaircafe which

leading to
the hiftories

the of

Siftine

and chapel, S. Stephen and S. chapel of Nicholas

chapelin
are

the the

called the reprefented, This Vafari fpeaks of is how V. firft. For the fame pope, he did the chapel of in the palace, which afterwards ftroyed deSacrament was by Paul III.,to erect a ftaircafe there. In this
rt

Lawrence

work, which
in his
own

was

an

excellent fome

one,

he executed from

in the

frefco,
life of

manner,

hiftories

of many nent portraits perfonsemiThefe in his time. would probably have portraits had not had the following been all loft if Paolo Giovio Nicholas V. ; the Emperor taken off for his mufeum : into Italy AnFrederic,who, at that time, came ; Fra of Florence; Biondo da tonino, who was then archbifhop of Arragon."1 We do not know and Ferdinand Forli, The what has become deftruction of thefe portraits.

Chrift,and

introduced

Fece

anco

per

il detto
III. per
aveva

papa

la

cappelladel Sagramento quale opera,

in di

in

Palazzo,
che
era

che

fu

poi
in

iovinata

da

Paolo fua

nella dirizzarvi le fcale, lavorato

eccellente

quellamaniera
e

frefco alcune

ftorie della vita di Gefu i

Crifto,

fattovi molti

ritratti

dinaturale

di que' tempti, perfone segnalate

qualiper
in

avventura

farebbono
mufeo
:

oggi perduti, fi
Nicola

il Giovio

non

avefle fattone ricavar quefti per in

il fuo

papa

V., Federigo imperatore, che

quel tempo

venne

236
of this been

BEJTO

ANGEL1C0

AT

ROME.

is much chapel
to

to

be

able

compare

the three

fhould : we regretted fame executed fubjecls

have

the fame
at

artift at the San

principal epochs of
at

his

by life,

at Fiefole,

Marco

and

Rome.

the other chapelhas been preferred. It Fortunately, is fmall,1 and lighted by an arched window, below which is
now

placed
three

the

altar

other

Beato fides,

it. to oppolite Angelico has paintedtwo

once

On

the

fets of of the

other. each In the over compoiitions the hiftory of part, he reprefented upper
fix

arches S.

Stephen in
the

compartments.
1.

S. Peter the

on confersDeaconjliip

S.

Stephenin
head the
to

of prefence Church who

of college

the

The apoftles.
and

of the

the prefents them

chalice

paten
whilft down.

deacon,
him altar has is
mented orna-

touches whom

with reverence,
comes

lookingat
The

through
an

all power upon

elegant ciborium
with
a

and it,

the bottom

rich for

architectural the
we others,

defign.
remark

For
a

this

well as as fubject, the lines of ftyle ;

more

change
peries dra-

become The

more

fimple and
ftudied
and bas-reliefs,

the

noble.

artift has

the Roman in order

toga
to ment
2.

on

the ancient

flatues and

he its magnificence, difplay of S. Peter and

covers

the facerdotal veftof S. S.

the dalmatic the Alms.

to

of Dijirilmtion
of the faithful
che
fu

alms

the

poor.
di

Stephen with it. Stephen gives the All is done orderly

da

Italia,frate Antonino,
Ferrante
1

poi arcivefcovo

Firenze, il Biondo

Forli,e

d'Aragona.
75 centimetres
marble

It is 6 metres is white

long,by
indicated

4 metres
The fun

20

centimetres
is

broad.

The

pavement
with
the

inlaid. beautifully
year,

reprefented furrounded
initialsand of
the the of iigns

the twelve zodiac. is read

months
the
nicolavs

of the

by

their Latin

On
"

fcrolls

accompanying
quintus.

the extremities We believe

this

lozenges of
was

the

border
under

rr.

pavement

executed

Benedict

XIII., in 1725.

238
the
and

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

ROME.

who priefts, hatred. This

can

oppofe
fcene is
a

him

only

with

falfehood

model

of

monumental
a

in the painting; in of the defigns of the churches

architecture mofaic which

is remarked
ornament
a

decoration

great

ber num-

in Rome.
to

5. S.
violence outfide hand much
movements

Stephen
is the

This fcene of Martyrdom. rendered perfectly.A Jew drags the faint whilft others pufh him, and ftone in city, We of the
do
not

led

purfue him.
the energy and the

know

how

the expreffions, richnefs of of the the

walls
us

forming

back-ground
lines di Croce San of the

too praife of the juftnefs draperies. The pictureremind to

of the admirable the Porta of Santa The of

to

circuit-wall of Laterno

Rome the

between Church
6.
crown

Giovanni

and

in Gerufalemme.

Death

of

S.

Stephen.
face is

The

faint receives the his hands and in eyes

with martyrdom kneeling, heaven. His

raifed Behind
a

all bathed

blood.

the cloak
;

executioners,Saul, their accomplice,carries

yet the faint is
ftill
covers

not

Gripped of
dalmatic.

his

clothes,
thefe

for

the

toga

the

All

indicate the ftudy of the ancient monuments compoiitions but the beauty of the lines and noblenefs ; do not of the draperies make religious any of the and Chriftian thought be loft character The diaeval hiftoryof S. Lawrence approaches the mein the coftumes but ftill here may be ftyle ; of the archaeological ftudies then feen the trace in alfo be remarked that It muft the painter vogue. how in fubjectspretty knew to vary his compoiitions nearlyalike.
.

1.

S. Lawrence

receives

the

Deacon

//tip.The

fuc-

CHAPEL

OF

THE

VATICAN.

239 makes

ceffor of S. Peter is feated upon Lawrence vefted

in

his

throne,and
Three the the

S.

touch

the chalice

and

paten.
at

perfons
as

magnificentcopes
and thefe clerics who All

affift hold

ceremony, book
and

alfo deacons cenfer.

the

are figures

full of

life and

and, without
well knew of how the

doubt,
to

are

Beato portraits. his

a

purity; Angelico
ground backthe

choofe

models.

The

picture is
our

Chriftian

in baiilica,

apfe of
Peter
2.

which

Lord

is feen

the power The

to

feed his

giving S. reprefented, fheep and his lambs.

and S. Lawrence.
to

Farewell

of S.Sixtus

The

pope A

delivers the treafures of the Church

his deacon.
at

cleric

the
to

placed behind him turns who door by the foldiers, are

S. Lawrence

at

the

noife made
to

coming

lead

him

martyrdom.
3.

The his alms. faint who difiributes embroidered bears thefe words is clothed by Chrift, on He the pectoralof his dalmatic, ihesvs "{" cristvs. is furrounded by the poor, the lame and the blind, whom he called the could of treafures of the Church. Beato

Angelico
the truth

and poetifefufTering the

movements

deformity by
of the

and
man

livelinefs

expreffions.The
whilft

blind

infpired by it in his admirable of the magician flruck blind by cartoon S. Paul, in the prefenceof the pro-confulSergius.1 It is impoffible better. to give life and movement
been
4.

groping along with Raphael feems to have

advancing on the right, his ftick, is a maflerpiece.

The

Condemnation
on

of S. Lawrence.
mows

The

emperor innot

is feated fTruments

his of

tribunal,and

the faint the

torture
1

in ftore for
A6ls

him,
2.

if he does

of

the

xiii. Jpq/lles,

240

BEATO

ANGEL1C0

AT

ROME.

facrifice

to

the

gods.

This

a composition prefents

lingular medley
memorial Beato The of the

of coftume. coronation

It may of

be faid

to

be

Frederic

III., which
1.

March Angelico witneffed,

15th, 145
of dubious

medley of ancient exaclnefs,with the

much in the West.

armour

gical archaeoloages,

coftumes

of the middle the idea of

is very the

conformity with
The mantle

reviving
has the

empire of
and

emperor
of the

Decius

imperialbufts His fceptre of the Renaiffance. is tippedwith a little ancient divinity. The him have the around perfonages largehanging fleeves and the clofe cut of the fifteenth In all ages, fafhion often outrages good tafte. century.
draped
The On architecture the entablature is decorated of the with ancient
ornaments.

cuirafs

the

is tribunal,
a

feen the Roman of laurel.

in-

eagle,with
Above
perator,

in wings difplayed, head and

on

crown

the

of

the the

emperor,

is

read, decius
about

ftep, a.d.
or

ccliii.,

the which

date

of S.Lawrence's be the year

martyrdom,

mccccliii.,

would

of the execution

of the

picture.

in ftudy of the antique appears ftill more which the compoiition following, reprefents The The furrounded Martyrdom,of S. Lawrence, emperor,

5. The

by
the

his

court,

affiits from the faint.

are

the

top

of

terrace

at

punifhment of porting the terrace,

drawn. Thus may of earlieft ages

Between

the

pillars fup-

placed five ancient ftatues well whilft treatingfubjecls of artifts,

the

even

and

the monuments Chriftianity, reprefent of a religion triumphed over by the Crofs ; truth Chriftian expreflion it alfo requires demands as it, all thefe magnimoral over ficences. beauty to prevail It is necefTary and exprefsthefe to look on

CHAPEL

OF

THE

VATICAN.

241

fcenes with

with

the

faith of the

of the incredulity victims onlydangerous fanatics. of the prifon On the left of the fpectator, a window be feen converting a man lets S. Lawrence his on knees, doubtlefs S. Hippolytus. In the foreground, his gridiron extended raifes his hand, S. Lawrence on and feems to be fpeakingto the emperor, to tell him he was he might and burnt one on side, fufficiently the have him
and
are

and not Chriftians, heathen, who faw in their

firft

turned decent varied

on

drawn,
them is

figure is well its nudity. The tioners execudefpite in pofture and expreffion of one ;
;

the*vother.

The

wood carrying

the other

turns

the faint with

the fire, and fhows the long fork ; another makes up of the heat by his geftures. intensity execution of thefe pictures is very remarkable. The Beato and Angelico has not loft any of his qualities To the purity of his drawing has acquired new ones. of his colouring, he has joined and the tranfparency fcience in the lines, more more vigour in the tones, and more power in the modelling. Thefe the them
are compositions doctors of the greateft

framed Church.

with

the

figuresof
Council of the for

In the choice of of the S.

may

be The the

feen

memorial S. Leo

Florence.
Great the
are

popes

and

Eaft,the

who fovereign pontiffs primacyof the Bifhop of S. Athanafius

to
are

Gregory beft reprefent

Rome.
two

S. John

Chryfoftom and
works of the fh owing pen, and
a

the

fathers whofe
on

ferved moft

convince the

the

Greeks

the Subject

S. Leo is Holy Ghoft. text S. Gregory holds a book and a open. is liftening the infpiration of the Holy to
R

of proceffion

242

BEATO

ANGELICO

AT

ROME.

Ghoft holds
ATTENDE

under
a

the form in
IPSI,

of

dove. this
FORTE
"

St. John

book,
TIBI

which
NE

Chryfoftom is read: infcription

IN

FIAT

CORDE over

TUO

occulta,

impiave
a

cogitatio

Watch

left

perhaps

hidden

or

unholy thought

be

thyfelf, in thy

heart/'
From well the his crofier
sweat

of

embroidery
ferve
as

of his

hangs the fudarium,which expreffes his laborious epifcopate.On the are decyphered words which cope
and
are,
as

ornaments, artift's

it were, prayers.

confufed J

traces

of the

thoughts and
the
:

ejus of
. . .

areth, Naz-

King of
. . .

Jews
. . .

Jefus. Mary
nazarenus
DE
. . .

s of firmer jude-

our

advocate
A. MAL.

christus

rex

ORUM.
et

JHESUS-MARIA avocata
:

PECATORIBUS.

se.

nostra

S. Atlianaiius
...

is in oriental
a

coftume of the

he feems

to

be

commenting

on

paffage

Holy Scriptures. thefe figures Above are placed thofe of S. Auguftine, S. Ambrofe, S. Bonaventure, and S. Thomas Aquinas meditholding a book in which is read : veritatem
ABITUR buntur GUTTUR inpium

MEUM,
: (fie)
"

ET

LABIA

MEA

DETESTA-

My

mouth

{hall

meditate breaft

truth,and
is

my

mall lips with

an

hate wickednefs."
eye

His the

decorated

beaming

like

fun,

to

of the light exprefs Church. fmall with

at

his intellect which

the enlightened

All thefe beautiful

to gothic canopies,

figuresare
ftatues

be the

placed under compared for elegance

of the faints

thofe

which

crown

porchesof our cathedrals. It is feen that Beato Angelico,amidft his ftudies of ancient Rome, did not The repudiatethe architecture of the middle ages. of four evangelifts are painted in the compartments

the

CHAPEL

OF

THE

VATICAN.

243

an azure on ceiling, ground ftudded with gold ftars. The ridgesof the roof are ornamented with deiigns. In the lower part of the walls a rich The whole decoration of this chapel draperyis painted. is conceived and proves how well the artift perfectly, for the compofition underftood monumental painting The well as for the execution. as figures are of a fuitable lize ; the general lines and the tones do not

the vaulted

difturb the architecture

and

and

the whole

is harmonious

full of poetry.1
[" In
the fecond the

chapel (now
He

called

"

of

Pope
S.

Nicholas

V."), he paintedforae
in the
manner

hiftories of
we

protomartyr

S. Stephen, and coloured the whole

Laurence,

which

will

now

defcribe. many

ceilingin
the

ultramarine

blue, and

ftudded the four

it with

golden ftars,accordingto
eight Do"ors
S. of the and Bonaventure. under

and Giottefque,

he introduced the
are right,

and Evangelifts,

holy
Above

Church. thefe
are

On

S. John S.

Chryfoftom
On
over

S.

Gregory
S. Thomas

and of

Auguftin.
and effaced.

the them

left,in the
S. Ambrofe

part, are

S. Athanafius, and laft of which

Aquino, wholly
Gothic wherein
the
are

and
aie

S. Leo, the

is figures

almoft
a

All The

thefe Do6lors

reprefented as ftanding erecl: under

little

temple.
he

hiftories of the

Martyrs he
the

executed

in fix compartments,

painted

the

fafts of the lives of two principal

that the
at
an

of them, in order to fhow

to

great refemblance
as

hiftoryof
altar

one

bears

that
to

of the other.
the

They
the

follows

"

S. Peter

giving the
"

chalice

firft confecrated
to

Deacon, S. Stephen, who

poor. Sermon
the under In of

receives it kneeling. The introduced

the fame

holy Martyr givingalms

In

the under
S.

part, he
and

Pope S. Sixtus.
Saint before the

the

upper

part
.

is the In
.

Stephen,

Jewifh

high prieft.
and

part he introduced
to

Pope

S. Sixtus

S. Laurence, bleffing
to

givinghim
that
comes

the treafures of his church

two

difpenfe them
door
a

the
to

poor, at the very

moment

armed

men

are

the ftriking
to

in order

gain
of

admittance.
and under

Then

the

holy Deacon, givingalms

great multitude
S. Stephen, and
the

poor

infirm.

On

the

left wall he painted the before the tyrant, who, fhake his conftancy.
which
we can

Stoning of
pointing
In
another
to

in the

part S. Laurence
to

various

inftruments he

of torture, drives
a

compartment,
in his

executed

little window,

through

fee the

Saint
of

dungeon, baptizing his fellow-captives.

Under thefe little hiftories he
and

Finally,comes painted
a

the

martyrdom

S. Laurence. fruits and of and the

rich with

ornamentation the heads of

of

flowers, varioufly intertwined

crown triple
:

alternated

angels
foi

rofes and
not

ftars that

exqui-

fitely arrangedcomplete
Gozzoli, who
was

the adornment fuch

now

this work.

I doubt

Benozzo
Of
on

celebrated

was decorations,

the author
moft

of thefe. writers

the merits of the hiftories, we

will

hear

two

of

the

celebrated R 2

244

BEATO

ANGEL1C0

AT

ROME.

This art,
was

fo important for chapel, long forgotten. Its

and

the

of hiftory
was

Chriftian

exiftence order
to

known,
to

the learned

in Bottari,

fcarcely had vilit it,

through the window, as the key of the door was loft. The of painting at Rome the forbad profeffors ftudy of it to their pupilsas dangerous for their tafte :
get
M. Seroux
are

art.

D'Agincourt fpeaks of
finifhed is

them

thus:

"

"The

with ability be
more

which
to

thefe the

frefcoes
eye than

and trulyprodigious,
The

nothing can
not

delicious chiarofcuro
of and

their
On

colouring.
near

fhadings

are

ftrong, but

the

is

harmonious.
At
a

infpe"ion,thefe
lauds
the

frefcos have

all the graces effecl:of

the
a

miniature. free pencilling," which

di fiance, the vigour of

etc.

their tints produces the

artift for the of

bold

He

then

beauty of
He is
as

in expreffion,

he

recognized a happy
the

imitation criticifm

Mafaccio.
of

likewife follows
:

the perfpe"ive praifes

"
"

of

buildings.
that

The I

M.

Rio

The
"

work I will in

which
not

excels in

of which
that is

of fpeak (the reliquaries in the

S. Maria and

Novella)

fay

beauty, as

but impollible,

dimensions, Vatican,

perhaps, too,
Fra

hiftorical
was

importance, is
invited
of in
to

the great frefco in

in which

Angelico,who
the
two

Rome
S.

by Eugene Stephen
and

IV.,

painted, in fix
thus

compartments,

fa6ts principal
heroes

the life of
the

S. Laurence,
as

uniting thefe
cuftom of

Chriftian

fame

poetic commemoration,
one

it is the

the the

faithful to invoke afhes of both

in

them
the
"

fince conjointly, ancient The bafilica of

and

the

fame

fepulchreenfhrines
Diftribution
of the their

San of S.

Lorenzo, outfide the Stephen,

the

walls of Rome.

Confecration

alms, and

far

better
of

ftill the

Preaching, are
that
women

three

paintings as
the

perfectin
attitudes of

ftyleas
be

any

the

grandeft produ"ions

of the excel
are

mod

mafters diftinguifhed

; it would

difficult to

fancy a
of

group the

could who

life and
and

thefe
the

and figures,

larly particuIf the

feated who

to liftening

holy preacher.

beftial fhould
teemed

fury of
attribute

the murderers
it to
a

ftone

the Saint of

be not
that

adequatelyexprefled,we
which fcenes thefe dramatic

glorious impotency
was

Angelic imagination
to

with

ecftacies of love, and

never

accuftomed

in which
"

it is

neceflary to depift violent paflions.

with difpofed

The
to

are figures

equal

grace
of the

and

and nobility,

this merit

that

is

always
more

be

admired

in all the works

he the has

Angelico, is here, if
to

ftill poffible, and

admirable, fince

paid

marked he
we

attention

the the

coftume
monuments

other of the

adjunfts belonging to
Primitive
in which

period, which
fo, however,
can

copied from

Church.
the

Not

fpeak

of the

inferior

compartments We will

painter
ProfefTor

has

given the
that,
to

hiftories of

S. Laurence." than
to

finally
feems

obfervewith
to

Rofini

in this

work,

more

in any

other, he
to

have

and enlargedhis ftyle, the

a

have

carried
age.

it

fuch
the I

as perfection

difpute

the he

palm with

nobleft

of geniufes

that

For

altar of

the

fame
now

chapel
loft."
"

alfo painted

Depofition from

the 243.
"

Crofs, which,
Translator's

believe, is

Marchese,

by Meehan, vol. i.,p.

note.]

246
did
not
as

BEJTO

ANGEL1C0

AT

ROME.

underftand the

the

laws of

of

monumental had

tion decoradone
:

great fchool
too

Giotto

the

figuresare
who ended

fmall for the

fpace.
Titans

Michael

Angelo,
error

their

work, fell into the contrary

the did
;

he

piled up
None will

colossuses, as
free from the

mountains. if they can

his prodigious talent difpute the admiration and fibylls

but

fet themfelves

excited

by

the the

powerful figuresof
vaulted

prophets on

than thofe aftounding of the Last Judgment, they will, indeed,be obligedto acknowledge that there is a violation of the laws of painting. A jury combeauty and of monumental and Athens would pofed of the great artifts of Rome fuch a mafterpiece.Michael have condemned Angelo who has ruined all is an unique and a folitary genius,

roof, which

are

ftill more

that tafte and

us

have

wifhed

to

imitate

him.

He

has in

violated

by making

it believed He

that

beauty is
which the invented

ftrength procured
fchools
and

great dimenfions.
all thofe the ridiculous have he decline

it is who

has

with giants encumbered

the

of

churches
the
rout

of Italy : palaces contrivances of

it is who

theatrical of

our

cupolas

and

the

figures

which

ating fpoilthe architecture under pretext of decorthe ancients,if they returned, ceilings.The
treat
us
as

would

barbarians. deferted the

In the for the

art Vatican,as elfewhere,

fancluary

apartments of princes. The

and
and

Eugenius IV.
of the Medici
to

of Nicholas the

V.

was

holy patronage of by that replaced

the the

Borgia. The treafures art owed the of were fquandered on Chriftianity caprices the gods profaned : the impure images of paflions Vatican as they formerly did the fanctity of

CHAPEL

OF

THE

VATICAN.

247

Calvary,
walls

and

facrilegious
which

hands have The

dared made

to

trace

upon

its

fubjecrs
heathen Rome have found

might
blufh.

the

debauchees

of

fovereign paintings

pontiffs
but
;

have

wifhed

to

thefe

obfcene elude of

effaced and Palladium loud defend

men

are

always
as

to

their and

orders the

thefe of ization.1 civilin

infamies

models For all modern

art

that,

hiftory
times.

fpeaks
Moral

enough
is

ancient able each from

and

in

beauty
has made and

infeparfor

natural like them the for

beauty
foul
the which of for

God
;

them when

other,

the of loft

body
his

man

feparates
more

benefit has

fenfes,
a

art

is

no

than the

tree

its

fap,

corpfe

given

up

to

corruption

death.

Gregory
like

XVI.

ordered fecret
has

the

paintings
at

to

be

effaced
have

which been nude

are

fhown
covered with

to

ftrangers
a

the IX. hall

mufeum in
vain

Naples.
orders the

They
to

only

cloth.
of

Pius the

given
;

veil of the

the

caryatides
had
a

at

the

arch

of

Conftantine

painter
them

Renaiflance

way

for

compreffing

the

indecency

by

making

hermaphrodites.

Chapter

XIII.

PAINTINGS

IN

ORVIETO AT

CATHEDRAL,
NAPLES:

AND

PICTURES

UR

humble

religious enjoyed
can

the
man even

fweeteft
on

glory which by
the

crown
was

this earth.

Admiration affection

exceeded

he

in-

and : fpired popes his friendfhip as works. Whilft the he

princes fought
much
as

his

city of
for

paintingthe chapelsof Orvieto was going on with

was

the

Vatican,

its cathedral

commenced called

at

the moil

end

of

the

thirteenth artifts of
was

century, and
the world
to

the it.

renowned

embellifh his of his

Beato
was

Angelico
obtained. in
our

applied
unnnifhed

to, and work of has

affiftance
our

The

painter marks,
may bear moft

and talent,

opinion,the apogee comparifon with what art

we

produced
On

this work

perfect:. of Beato Angelico

the poffefs

moft

PAINTINGS

IN

0RV1ET0

CATHEDRAL,

249
our on

documents but alfo

and
us

they

not

only

concern

painter,
the
ganization or-

give
of

valuable
art.

information

mediaeval
art

It is impoffible to

underaccount

ftand the

the

of hiftory which

without

taking

into

has exerpopular element cifed over its developement. The is popular element the caufe of the greatnefs of art ; it is the foil which bears it fruitful. The makes it, the light which mafTes for artifts as the crowd is for as are necefTary The orators. people are the only protectors rich to enough in power and means art, which encourage requiresthe thought of all to render, treafures to lay multitude to out, the comprehend it, and a long admire it. What is art patronizedby one to pofterity
man,
even
were

influence

the

he mailer

of the world

? Genius
be

if itfelf,

it is

not

defeated obtain

muft by intrigue,
a

to caprice,

him
to

who

grants it.
the

with a infpired which pafTesaway like protection Its work, often haggled over, goes of
a

in difappear
a

room

which palace fall

as an

will be vifited

by
the

revolution,and
into of work

it will and

heritageor
hands
;

conqueft
fecrated and may

ignorant
art

mercenary the

whilfl:
con-

by patronized
of

people

and

in their monuments,

fhines

for the eyes

of

all,

hope
if the

for ages

immortality.
for art,
art

But

penfes the
and

people do much people ; it inftrudts

them them from pure

alfo

recom-

them,

elevates and

them,

withdraws

their material

life

by giving
of the
makes

beautiful,the
him know

enjoyments, the greater! good man

love his devotion

dependent tion contemplacan

claim. inof

Art

and

country, and
;

him with the virtue of fpires the paftand points to him out

it tells him Monuments

the future.

250

PAINTINGS

IN

ORVIETO

CATHEDRAL,

are

forefathers
him

that
to

look

down

on

him,

and

give

teftimony of

his defcendants.

Religionalone is able to unite the people and art : it is equally to both, and it is in the temple that necefTary
it confecrates and and
art

their alliance.

The

rocks

non of the Parthefeen the

the
mount

Hopes of
up
to

the the

Capitolhave
altars of the

people

feftivals fo together the triumph of error to juftify ; but has nothing to envy the people of

brate gods, and celemagnificentthat theyfeemed

a

Chriftian and
more

people
Athens mate intiis its

Rome is The far

for,

as

their far

alliance
more

with

art

and the work

admirable.
art

cathedral

in which A divine immoveable

appears

in all the

majefty of
the

unity.
upon
an

doctrine

lays the
traces

foundations

of it

rock, and
raifes the the it

plan ;
noble
ture

architecture

: it entrufts fpires which and painting,

fymbolical and arches walls,pillars, embellifhment to fculpin and

a

keeps
is over,

then, when
chifel of

its work

archy perfecthierthe rich light wonders

of of the

the windows the

mines and her

pomp

all the on peacefully the pencil,the Church and, amidft the liturgy, of the

difplays
chant of God is im-

pfalms and
Himfelf, who

the

memorials all the

faints,adores

crowns

by

His

prefence. It

for art poffible for uniting. The

and

people to
like the

find better conditions

cathedral is
a

not

heathen fent

temple which
its of
to prieft the portico. to
ceive re-

concealed
make
a

ftatue

in its fmoke

walls, and
on

littleincenfe
is
a

the

Heps

The

Church her

mother
to

who

opens

her bofom and

and children, The

diftribute truth

to

each

one.

cathedral

for is altogether

goodnefs the people :

AND

PICTURES

AT

NAPLES.

251

it is their

faith, hope, baptifm, family,glory, life,

and eternity. Before ignorance and falfehood hiftory the cathedral, had had eft ranged the people from and for understanding it,they found difabled them in it

joy, courage and wealth : they received there and powerful doctrine,and knew what the moft
are
now

fimple
learned

ignorant of, origin and

were

the

problem
The

of

their

deftinies,
and

their windows book

their

end.

ftatues

glafsopen

their

and they read library,

in

an

the poetic legends, and the hiftory, find out aftonifhing fymbolifm,of which we fcarcely the meaning. the beauty of the Chriftian Can be furprifed at we of the middle monuments ages? Whilft feudalifm and was tearingitfelf to piecesin its bloody ftruggles, others or to defend itfelf, the buildingcaftles to opprefs building cathedrals ; there was the centre peoplewere of the commonalty, the donjon of their powers ; and they neglected nothing in order to make the edifice tion worthy of God and of His adorers. This noble ambidevelopements of art in explainsthe wondrous of the thirteenth and the Italian republics fourteenth it underftood centuries ; and it alfo makes why artifts Chriftian : the people kept them remained ployed nobly emwhilft literature had already their cathedrals, on become corrupted by fellingits verfes to princes the their and and towns monalties compaffions. Between who there was fhould have the a rivalry The people were and moft magnificentchurch. largeft he mould confulted by Phidias whether once employ marble or ivory in making the ftatue of Minerva ? in the price of the materials; There was a vaft difference

all the

252
but moll The the

PAINTINGS

IN

ORFIETO

CATHEDRAL,
"

to Phidias, people replied worthy of the city."

Do

what

will be

people of
"

Florence

faid the fame

to

their architect Maria

Arnolfo, when
dei Fiori
a :
"

he fet about
as

erectingSanta

Forafmuch wills their

great

people

fuch
are as

fort that

fovereign prudence of that they proceed in affairs of external works that they prove

the

ordain to Arnolfo, as we enlightened generous, the model of our architect or commonalty, to make dehgn for the rebuildingof Santa Reparata fo great for art and and magnificent,that it be impoffible human beautiful and to imagine anythingmore power
more

vaft. the wifeft For

This

is what

has

been

faid and

counfelled

by
to

of the

blies. be

the

affemcityin public and private affairs of the commonalty ought not if it is

not

undertaken
an

intended

to

render

them of the

worthy of
All the and

immenfe

it is compofed as fpirit, in the fame the fame will."1

foul of all the

citizens united

Italian

Republics gave
to

programme, well them of his

;

they were
ancient
to

faithful
are

their churches of way

the Who

They have done only things remainingto

it. would upon
now

days.

turn

out

climb

the rock it

which admire

the the

cityof
marvels

Orvieto of its

uprears

were itfelf,

not

to

cathedral,in which,

for

three

centuries,a
their ?

religious
to

people entrufted
moft A upon
to

the

of expreffion

faith

the

celebrated had prieft the altars raife the

to

artifts of the world doubted

;

the real

of prefence had from

on

our

Lord

and

the

Holy
hides

Victim Him

been
our

pleafed
fenfes,
to

veil which the Divine

and

allow
1

Blood

fhed

Calvary

univerfdlc,torn, Cantu, Hijiuire

xi., p. 578.

254

POINTINGS

IN

ORVIETO

CATHEDRAL,

confuls, judge and

from delta the

fyndics. They
of

were

other functionaries

the

diftinguifhed cityby the title

1

fabbrica. Their efcutcheon is ftill feen, as in in Tufcany." other places, particularly many alfo a lodge of artifts There the cathedral-church was near houfe where the architects, a and painters,
"

affembled fculptors
to

to

their deflgnsand prefent

to

models when

the mafter

of

mafters,and

carry

them

out

they had been approved by him, by the chamberlain, Each had its chief, and art by the fuperintendents. all was and over placed the mailer of mafters, who ofteneft an architect, This or was painter, fculptor."2 unity of direction is a happy condition of fuccefs.
The
an

firft mafter

of

mafters

was

Lorenzo the works the

Maitani,
for

artift of

Sienna, who
and

directed

fortyof

three

He years. Italyto choofe men with

traverfed inceflantly materials.

whole

Rome with

furnifhed its black with his

him

its ancient

marbles, Sienna

marble, Carrara
alabafter
;

with white he who had

marbles,Saint- Anthime

and

orders. Thofe worked When

legions of artifts under Rome quitted duringthe great

at

heats

for Orvieto Maitani other

Albano

and
two

Caftelgandolfo.3
fons fucceeded
added
to

died, his

him

only one
At this

Meo artift, alone

d'Orvieto, was
feems
to

them.
the

time, merit
del Duomo
one

have

decided

Storia

di

Orvieto, Jcrittadal padre maejlroGuglielmo

volume
in

deila
M dcc

Voile,
xci,

Minor

Conventuale,
97.
Era

quarto,

with

an

atlas

Rome,

page
2

quefta
per

una

cafa vicina

al Duomo,
maeftro

in

cui

il architetti, e pittori e fcultori,

radunavano

prefentareal
da

de' maeftri
dai

il loro

difegnie

modelli

per

dopo efeguirli,
. .
.

che
aveva

eflb, dal
il fuo capo,

camerlingo, e
e a

fopraftanti, erano

ftati approvati che per

Ogni
era

arte

tutti
"

prefideva il maeftro
p.

de' maeftri
101.

lo

piu
3

architetto, pittoreo fcultore.

del

Storia del Duomo,

Storia

Duomo,

p.

103.

AND

PICTURES

AT

NAPLES.

255
the local
monument

choice

of

the

artifts ; the

interests of

over private interefts and prevailed The greater!part of the directors

intrigues.
work
were

of

the

from

Sienna

or
was

Pifa,but

none

were an

excluded,
artifl of

and

Frenchman in

preferredbefore

Orvieto
was

1446, the
The moft
;

period
celebrated the

at

which

Beato

Angelico

fent for.1 artifts of Fra of the

concurrence

Dominican

Europe gave Guglielmo of

facade
;

their Pifa

the fculptured
made

bas-reliefs of S.

Donatello
;

the

ftatue

in John Baptift,

1423

and

in

the fame After

year, Gentile

da Fabriano

painted a

Madonna.

Perugino and Signorelli, Pinturricchio alio executed For at Orvieto. paintings decorating the baptifmalfonts, an artifl:of Friburg was chofen, who pafTedfor the moil fkilful fculptor
of his time
not ;

Beato

Angelico, Luca

but

as

foon he

as

he
was

was

at

the work

his

was ftyle

liked,and
Florence.2

replaced by Jacopo
is the

Guido, from
A
matter

worthy by
and

of

remark

contingentof
Beiides Order of

artifts furnifhed Beato

the Fra

Angelico

religiousorders. Guglielmo, the

Fra Mariotto, glafs-painters, who and afterwards Fra Mariano was rejectedkindly becaufe he did not how know draw well enough. to The fabbHca ordered a fubiiitute for him to be fought and Florence, if it were A Cifterat Sienna neceffary.

S. Dominic

fuppliedtwo

tian, Fra
1

Francefco
Dunmo,
docum.

d'Antonio,
lxx,
we

executed

the

ftained

Staria
In the

del

p. 304.

lift of
Ferdinand

foreignartifts
Sermois

alfo find, in the fixteenth Francois-Etienne

was

century,

two

French

Mofaifts,

and

Flemifh

painter, Henri
and called

(1563),

and

Nicolas

Cordier, a Lorrainefe, who

"

at Rome, living

himfelf II Franciofetto.

Storio del Daomo,

p.

70.

256

PAINTINGS

IN

ORVIETO

CATHEDRAL,

glafsplaced behind
life and Fra the Dom fent miracles

the

of the

the high altar,reprefenting Bleffed Virgin. Order of

Francefco, of

the

Minors,
as

worked

at

in 1446, at the fame time glafs of Perugia. It was F. Baroni for Beato Angelico to Orvieto.

the Benedictine who religious

this

The dated
"

deliberation

which

concerns

our

painter is

May nth, 1447. Confideringthat the chapelfacingthe one of the it would be fitting it to have Corporal is blank At paintedby fome good and famous mafter-painter. there is in Orvieto of the this moment a religious has painted,and is of S. Dominic, who obfervance
...

the chapel of our moft holy Father in the painting, palaceof the Vatican, who might perhapsbe perfuaded the chapel and paint to come famous of ; he is the mofl in the church and would all the paintersof Italy, paint in the year, that is,in June, July, only three months he is and Auguft, becaufe during the other months obligedto ferve the Holy Father ; but in thefe three months he will
not

remain the
rate

in of

Rome.
200

He ducats

afks of

for falary

himfelf the And The

at

a-year, with
etc. folding,

Giovanni."
1

'

expenfesof food, and this mafter-painter is council met again June

in rend,

gold colours,fcafnamed 2nd Fra in the

Congregatisin
honorem
d.

unum

camerarii

pro
...

laboreriis d. E. ordinandis
in

ad

E., confiderato
. .

quod cappellanova
pro honore
et

confpeftu cappellecorper

eft poralis
et

fciabbida mag.

et

d. E.

eft

dipingenda
veteri

aliquem

bonum

famofum

pi"orem,
veniret
et

ad

prefensin

Urbe

fit quidam, etc., obferin

vantie
de

S. Dominici

et pingitcappellam qui pinfit

SS. D.
et
est

N.

palatio ap.
ultra

S. Petri
alios

Urbe

qui forfan
ytalicos,

ad

pingendum
ad

d. E.

famosus

pictores

ftaret

pingendum
; et
rat.
cc

in

d.

E.

tantum

tribus
. . .

in
non

anno

menfibus, fcilicet Junio, Julio, Augufto

ftare Rome,
et

quia aliis menfibus

ducat, auri in anno,

vult

petitfalarium

pro

fe ad

cum

expends

PICTURES

AT

NAPLES.

257
"

fame

that announced year, and the chamberlain Giovanni di Pietro has accepted the invitation
to
come

Fra

given
he is

him,
to

and

paint the
a

new

chapel ;
the council
to

and

as

be

in Orvieto

little before

feaft of

Corpus
on

for the Domini, it is neceffary what he

in all

decide

paint. After much fpeaking,it is decided that they fhall wait for the painter, and termine dewhen Beato Angelico, they have his advice." in fact,arrived ; and, June 14th, the deed was palled. "After feveral converfations with the painter, it is lain unanimously agreed on every point. The chamberhas led the religious, Fra Giovanni di Pietro, of the Order of Preachers of the m after-painter, Obfervance of S. Dominic, to the new chapel to be painted, and there given over him all the work to the following conditions on Fra Giovanni the pictures, fhall himfelf work on Cell of Florence, Giovanni togetherwith Benozzo Antonio of Florence, and Jacopo de Poli, well and and with befitting fkill and care, diligently, Alfo he fhall labour and take care that the figures of the pictures be beautiful and commendable. Alfo the undertakingfhall commence to-morrow, June 15th Alfo inftant. with the every year he fhall paint, above-named in June, July, perfons, tember, Auguft and Sepuntil the entire chapel is painted. Alfo he
-

"

"

"

fhall do mendation "And

name

all without of any

fraud

and

deceit,at

the

com*

of

good mafter-painter. for the aforefaid, the chamberlain, in the council, has folemnly promifed
colores, pontes, "c,
docum.
et vocatur

the and

ciborum,

et

d.

magifterpictorfrater Johes.

"

Storia del Duomo,

B,

p.

306.
S

-258
fworn
to

POINTINGS

IN

ORFIETO

CJTHEDRJL,

the

fame

Fra and

for Giovanni Fra

himfelf and

Giovanni, prefentand accepting his to Benozzo, heirs, and

pay effe ctually to the of four for labours, a falary the
rate

Jacopo,to give and

for his
at

Giovanni,
every

months

year

of

200

ducats every ducats

of the value year four

:

of feven

pounds each, for

part of
200

gold, complete
for the feven
at

that

is,the
Alfo fame

third
to

months. of the

Benozzo,
to

every

month,
two

ducats the

value,
to

Giovanni

ducats

Alfo he ducat. Jacopo one fhall give to the faid mailer-painter all the colours for the pictures, and above the falary. over neceffary rate, and
"

fame

Alfo wine

for their expences,

as

befides

the

bread falaries, and

and

much

as

is fufficient for month

them,

twenty
are

pounds
work. "Alfo

of

pennies every
fhall pay

whilft

they
up

at

he

the expences

for them

to

the

prefent day.
"Alfo the faid mafter Fra

Giovanni,

whilft

the

the deftgnof is being put up, fhall make fcaffolding the pictures he is to painton the and figureswhich vault of the chapel. All which the parties have mutually promifed to etc. Witneffes, etc."1 oblerve,with good faith,
"
1

Die

xiv

Junii
eos

cccc

xlvii,

in

Dei

noe

Amen.
omnibus

Congregatis
et

et
. .

habitis

inter
.

et

piftorem multis
conduxit

colloquiis fuper
ad frem.

fingulis
.

unanimiter
. .

Camerarius
.

pingendum
Johem.

cappellam
magrum
et

novam

verfus
ord.

epifcopatum
Predicatorum
turas

religiofumvirum
Sci Dominici d.

Petri

pi"orem
et

obfervantie
dicle

ibid,
mag.
cum

prefentem
Johi.

acceptantem,

pic-

totius
. . .

cappellelocavit
Item

fratri

cum

pactisquod
cum

d. frater

Johes
Ceil
de

ferviret

ad pi"turaspred.
cum

perfonafua.
Antonii
cum

Item de
ea

perfona Benotii
Item
cum et

Florentia.
de

perfonaJohis
et

Florentia.
qua decet

perfona Jacobi
folicitudine,
Item

Poli, bene

et diligenter,

folertia

quod

faciet et curabit

quod

d.

figuredd. pi"urar.

erunt

pulchre

et

lauda-

PICTURES

AT

NAPLES.

259

Angelico forthwith fet about the work, but few days after,June 26th, a misfortune occurred a of his pupils, which Oae deeply afflicted him. whilft fetting Antonio was Giovanelli, up a fcafFold, hurt by the falling of a beam, and died of the injury. The furnifTi all to fabbrica ordered the chamberlain
Beato the expences Beato Benozzo of the illnefs and himfelf Poli. burial.1
to

Angelico fet
and

the

work, along with

Jacopo de

He

alfo

employed

two

of Orvieto, Pietro di Nicolas and Giacomo painters di Pietro, who The probably executed the ornaments. work went until September 28th, and on that day on for 1 03 florins of gold our painter gave an acquittance for himfelf and his pupils.2He departedfor Rome
biles.
Item tembri

Item

conduftio
anno

eras pied, incipiat cum

que

eft

xv

menfis prefentis

Junii.
et

quolibet

pinget
tota

premifiishoibus, Junio, Julio,Augufto

dipincla. Item
mag.

Set-

quoufque
dolo, ad

cappellafuerit

quod

omnia

faciet fine

fraude,
Et

commendationem
.
.

cujuflibetboni
.

piftoris.
et

pro

camerarius prediftis fe
et

promifit folemniter
heredibus,
pro
rat. et dd.

juraviteidem Johi
et

F. Johi
dare
men?

prefentiet acceptanti pro

et

fuis

Benotio

Jacobo
dd.
vn
iv

folvere

cum

effe6tu

eid. fratri

Johi
ec.

fuis laboribus, falario pro

cc

fibus pro

quolibetanno quolibet et
partem
pro
cc

quoufque
ducatorum.

ad

ducatorum

auri pro

valoris dd.
iv

librar.

quolibet anno
Item

completo, videlicet
Benotio

menfibus,
ducatos dabit

tertiam

quolibet menfe
unum

feptem

ejufdem valoris,Johi duos ducatos

d. mag.

ad d. rat., et Jacobo

ducatum.

Item

pi"tori
pro
eorum

omnes

colores incumbentes

neceffarios pro d.
et vinum

ultra d. falaria. pi6luris quantum fufficiet eis,

Item
et
xx

expenfisultra
menfe, quolibet

falaria panem
dum

libras denar.

laborabunt.

Item

eis perfolvet

expenfasufque ad
f. Johes, interdum

prefentem
fiunt

diem.

Item
et

quod

d. mag.

pontes,

faciat

defignum pitturarum
A6la

figurarum quas
Que omnia
. . .

debet
.

pingerein
. .

volta d.

cappelle.
fide,ec.
ec,
.

viciffim

promiferunt attendere,bona Junii) dum

quod
ftabat ad

prefentib
1

teftibus. Giovanelli
cecidit

Antonius

qui (xxvi
unius

faciendum
eum.

pontem
ut

in

cappella nova,
in bonum in infirmitate
"

in ftentu
. . .

trabis cadentis

fuper

Sed

tranfeat
tarn

exemplum
ad mortem

ordinatur
in

camerarius

poffit ei

fubvenire
et

quam

ejus,abfque fuo damno fepultura

prejudicio.
Frum

Storia del Duomo,

2

p. 128.

vir Religiofus

Fr.

Johes Petri

mag.

pi"urarum

et

ordinis

obfervantie S 2

160

PAINTINGS

IN

ORVIETO

CATHEDRAL,

fubjecl: incomplete. The again, leaving his work of the chofen by Beato Angelico for the decoration the Laft We have already Judgment. chapel was what Hull and feen with grandeur he treated this of Chriftian When know fublime art. we fubjecl: of Orvieto as only by the publifhed yet the paintings the dread we neighbourhood of Luca engravings, for the fweet religious of Fiefole. In his Signorelli in our at Orvieto, that painter, opinion, compositions is fuperior to Michael mical Angelo ; he has not his anatoand gigantic and his exaggerations proportions, and to a : diftinguifhed drawing is truer and more remarkable elegance he joins a great vigour of ftyle. thefe qualities feems to have owed He to the influence of Beato Angelico. Some figureswhich our painter has executed a on ground of gold are thofe which
moft attract the eye is the
and
one

excite

admiration. beft
mows

This

unfinifhed
and what
to

work he

which
done

his had

talent,
great

would

have

if he

had

furfaces

like the artifts in the times of Giotto paint, and at Orvieto, Raphael. In the three months pafTed the Chrift and the choir of Beato Angelicopainted phets prothe hell. We above can judge from this fragment what the whole would Chrift have been. compofition the globe of the world holds in his mighty hand,
Predicatorum condu6lus
cum

ad

pingendum
Benozi

in

cappella nova
fuam de
tarn

d.

mag.

Ecclie.
quos

cum

perfona fua et
habuit
ad

perfonis fuis picturam

et
. . .

Cefi de

Florentia, etc. etc.,

. . . . . .

fecum

diftam
.
.

fecit camerario ultra

habere
et
non
a

contentationem iribus
pro

abfolutam auri de Benozzo

auro

pa"um
quos

de

petendo
d. fabrica

centum

florenis

debebat

pro
.

fe quam
.
.

fuprad.
f. Johes

et

pro Dei

tribus

menfibus,
. . .

fe quietum tempore

vocabit

d. mag.

juravitad. S.
ad

Evangelia

omni

attendere

obfervare. docum.

Infuper
lxxiv.,

majorem

cautelam

liberavit d. fabricam," -^Storia del

Duomo,

28 Sept., 1447,

262

PAINTINGS

IN

ORVIETO

CATHEDRAL,

with fpirits, in blue like The the

an

their various with the

attributes both fame hands

the
an
as

clothed firft,

robes,hold
almond,
are

object fhaped
their robes. mofaics of the

of

colour

Thrones

thus

in reprefented

The fecond, clothed in Baptiftryat Florence. red, hold a ftandard,a globe and a gold rod : lively thefe
a are

the Dominations. crefted

a

The
a

Principalities carry
crofs
;

ftandard

with

red

the

Powers,
a

knight's armour,
The
on

Virtues which

have

buckler crofs-bearing golden robes,and hold Virtutes?

and
a

fword.

banderole, orders,the
mufical

is written

The

laft

two

Archangelsand Angels, are playingon

inftruments,like
This thofe
we

various in the

have

feen

is executed a on compofition have come and can gold ; it is worthy of our painter, only from his thought and pencil. The the miracle picture numbered 298 reprefents This fubjecl:, of our which Lady ad Nives. bringsto the foundation of Santa Maria mind Maggiore, muft been and chofen have executed Rome at by our doubt, went who, without painter, very often to pray in that church, the moft charming of the bafilicas in the eternal city.Our Lord and the Holy Virgin appear the fcene pairing in the Iky,and preiide in the over lower part. The earth is covered with fnow, and Pope Liberius traces in it with a fmall mattock the plan of the church the patrician which John and his wife had received The orders to build. Sovereign Pontiff is mitred and gloved. Behind him, a group of cardinals

pictures. ground of

other

At

the Baptiftryof
and

Florence, the Virtues

lick. Beato

are

as reprefented

driving away
cation claffifi

the

devils

healing the
rather than

Angelico
the

has

followed

the

of

S. Bernard

that of S. Denis

Areopagite.

PICTURES

AT

NAPLES.

163

and

magiftrates
the crofs

is and

feen

in

the

middle,
The the

fome affiftants

clerics

carry in

holy
and

water.

are

pious

admiration,
on

look and of the

up

at

Iky.
in

The the

fun ground, backthen

finning

the

perfonages
the time

buildings
year
at

mow

which

they

were.

All flrmnefs

the

figures
which

are

drawn the

and laft

modelled of

with Beato

the

marks

years

Angelico.
It is did his

impoffible
not

for his

us

to

explain
at

why
Orvieto. it

Beato

lico AngeCertainly

flnifh

paintings
to

own

will

had

nothing
himfelf
did his

do of

with his let It

he

muft

have
but his the the his

deiired

to

acquit
the

engagement;
him

perhaps
health

Pope

not

leave,

or

hindered of Orvieto

journey.

is

pafitive
return

that
to

fgbbrica
laft
moment.

hoped

for

his

up
to

Many

painters
waited,
until
foul

begged
"

carry death

on

work,
his the

but

they
and

ftill

envious
its

broke

pencil,
angels,

his
make

beautiful

winged

way
"

amongft

to

paradife
il

more

joyous."

La

morte

invidiofa

ruppe il

pennello
Storia
"

di

lui,
del

la

fua

bell'

anima

void

fra

gli

Angeli

fare

piu

ridente

paradiib."

Duomo,

p.

132.

Chapter

XIV.

DEATH

OF

BEATO PUPILS

ANGELICO."HIS AND HIS

EULOGY."

HIS

INFLUENCE.

MIDST adorn

the the

magnificent tombs
church of Santa the between
a

which Maria

fopra Minerva,
and

family
tender

the

apfe,is

limple tombftone,
caufes A
a

the and is bleiTed marble

light of

which

emotion. refpectful reprefented there who die where in the the

religious
the That of
at

ileeping
Lord.

lleep
da

of

thofe the
was

points out
Fiefole

place

body

Beato

Angelico
March

18th/ 1455,
has
not

in

who died depoiited, his iixty-eighth year.

us

Rome,

Hiftory
laft
moments.

preferredfor

any

detail his

of

his

He

difappearedamidfl
is the

brethren,

I1
dates

Leandro it
xn.

Alberti,
kal

who

authority
18th.
"

for

the

day of

Beato

Angelico's death,

martii, which

is Feb.

Translator's

note.]

HIS

EULOGY, autumnal

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE.

2,6$
of
a

like the vale An

fun
on

athwart them and

the with of

trees

peaceful
rays. have

whilft
end

fhining
of

its fweeteft

full
a

calmnefs and

hope
From From

muft what his

crowned of the

life fo pure could

active.
come

point early

paft

trouble had been

appliedto thingsdivine, his will had been fubjected to the wholefome yoke his memory of obedience, and could only ofFer him and chafte recollections pious images. He recalled All the heavenlyworld his picturesas prayers. he had fmile and him to was came ftirred, on : reprefented his agony and when, according to the was an ecftacy ; ceremonial of the convent of the Order, the religious youth
went to

his intellect

range

themfelves the laft heard time

around for

his

bed the She

and Queen who

;

ling
of had
on

Salve heaven been whom love turned and the him of whom from

Regina
the he he

him,
of

doubtlefs

their
and

prayer. his

fweetnefs,joy
had called had eyes

hope
fo many

life

fhe

with

gained by
full of
on

fo many
on

mercy the her

lighs,and whofe mafterpieces Mary, her beloved painter,

"

fhowed blefTed with his

him,
Fruit their

utmofh womb.

verge

of

his

exile,
hour

of

Angels encompafTed
and

joyous fongs,
came,

when

the

deliverance his

the been

heavenly fpirit,to
entrufted, freed
him him his and led with

pilgrimage body
in
a

had

his

fraternal

embrace,
he

which triumphant into paradife, prefence. On Nicholas in which earth he

was

gladdened

bewailed. himfelf his virtue

to

The

V., delired
he ranked

fovereignpontiff, compofe his epitaph,

above his talent
;

much

166

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

for Chrift the

rewarded

lefs the works

of

his

genius than

of his heart.1 charity il Beato, and pofterity People called him The BleiTed, has kept this beautiful name for him. Church The might have decreed him the honours of the altar ; has been faid of the writings for what of S. Thomas of Beato be faid again of the pictures can Angelico: miracles. Holinefs beams forth they are fo many thofe very perfons whom from therm and the errors difable from of the world underftandingthem well, which and gently troubles them experiencea charm invites them better life. Since thefe pictures to a

have
pure truth

been

in and

exiftence,how
heavenward with
a

many

fouls in

have them!

found

joys
there

longings beauty
:

The
over
s

appears
and

victorious fome

all heiitation have declared

all weaknefs had

and

Proteftant
means

that God

waited

for this have

to

determine of thefe carry

their

converiion.
at

Many
country

had in

copies
to

made mafterpieces into their

own

Florence,
as

order

them

arguments

in

HIC. FR.

JACET. JO.
DE

VEN. FLOR. M.

PICTOR. ORD.
P.

C.

C. L. V.

C.

C.

Non

mihi Sed

fit laudi, quod

tuis

eram

velut alter

Apelles,

quod lucra
nam
me

omnia,

Chrifte,dabam.
;

Altera
Urbs

terris opera

exftant, altera ccelo

flos tulit Etruriae.
his Order rather

Joannem
the

The

word

luis indicates
to

of religious and

than

the

poor.

Beato

Angelico belonged
have
enti

the

reform the

nothing poffeffed
of the money Cartier
is here he

; ftill his

could fuperiors

ufted in

him

with

diftribution M.

gained.
Marchefe refers

[An
hiis
to

erior

the date

given by

corrected.

the

poor.

Translator's

note.]

HIS

EULOGr,

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE.

267

favour

of the

Church
creations. have

alone

and capable of infpiring

fuch realizing Now life

even
we

that

we

followed

the ftream admired

of this bleffed riches embrace of its the

into

and eternity,
a

the

banks,
whole One it is

will caft refume

laft

glance at it,to
our

and

its inftructions. of age is the

of the

merits

ferious
revolution

ftudy
had

making

of the from nations

under the efforts difappeared of an arrogant and depravedreafon ; but here are we exploringthe fields of hiftory afrefh,and inquiring of tradition our way towards the future. We are ftudying events and their caufes,doctrines and their refults ; ftill awandering,we and if we have, in our are perof life and falvafeverance and good faith, a certainty of the happieft tion. One ment fymptoms of this moveis the homage paid to Chriftian art. In the admiration ages, there beftowed is
on

us feparated amongft the

paft. it by
had

The

French All

ruins.

that

was

great

the

monuments

of the middle

fafhion;

there

fomething elfe befides the caprice of is a feeling of refpect for the religion
fuch be wonders.

which towards

produced
art

This

return

to wifh to intelligent: forms without its outward entering into its copy ourfelves to a fervility which would is to doom fpirit, is to virtue. The art what be to Chriftian hypocrify calls for ftill more works criticifm ftudy of a painter's

Chriftian

muft

and

difcernment

than

in

architectural

monuments,

becaufe is

individualized in them, and it beauty is more that beauty from to whatever diftinguifh neceffary the In
nature

defects them.

of

the

artift may Beato

have

put

into

writing the

life of

Angelico with

268

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

love, we
the fole

have and

not

pretended to bring him

forward

as

of whoever matter to afpires neceffary be to ferve produce Chriftian art again: this would On the contrary, badly the caufe which we wifh to defend. in all truth, without hold to making it known we on fearingto tarnifh fo unfullied a glory. We go the place Beato examine then to Angelico occupies from his contemhim what in hiftory, poraries, diftinguifhed of his genius,his qualities, the character which be drawn from his defects, and the utility may time. in our the ftudy of his works own the great fchool of When Beato Angelicoappeared, Giotto art was was declining lofing that unity of ; of which the molt doctrine and Orcagna was means, The illuftrious reprefentative. given by programmes the Church
were

modified, the

traditional

types neglected;
ing becom-

and painting were architecture, fculpture

fortunes feekingtheir particular The of details. of Niccola in the progrefs pofterity and more with the enamoured of Pifa efpecially, more facrificed the Chriftian thought to the learned antique, form. Natural beauty unhappily tended to feparate ftream that ilTued from itfelffrom moral beauty. The and ifolated,
were

the which ages,

catacombs had
were

faw

its courfe faith of their

divided. nations

Its

waves,

fatisfied the diverted from

to

for fo many confecrated bed to amidft

to

the fenfes, and fatisfy the world.

to

be defiled

Only glidealong in
great
names

feeble

part,
for the

true

joys of its banks, was

pure fouls.

the

folitude

good

of

Two

branches thefe two of art, perfonify Ghiberti and Beato Angelico. The fculptorof the which Greeks did works Florence at Baptiftry-gates

270
What merit and

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

drew the

on

him

the of

Angelo

enthuiiafm

eulogiesof Michael his difciple Vafari,the

of the Beato his talent and the
to
a

who, from the nature painter of his fchool, was prejudices ? myfticalpainting appreciate
power
without with
a

mofh

unfitted

Angelico had
bows down
a

before

which

the

world

itfelf

underftandingit.
that

Sanctityis
as on

refemblance

God,

placeson

man,

the face of
and

Mofes,

lightwhich
it beam the

from efcapes forth from

his features of
a

his works.

Let from nefs felf.

the form

lifter of

of a painter, that pictures the and captivates refpect infpires Vafari is the echo of
a

or charity heavenlybright-

libertine tradition aureola.

to

himwhich The
us as

fecular
a

furrounds hiftorian

Beato of the

Angelico with
RenahTance

divine

him reprefents

his knees and on paintinghis Chrifts and Madonnas relates the meeknefs in ecftacy; all he us mows of his obedience, and the of his foul, the iimplicity humility of his genius. The good fervant had made hundredfold which his mafter talent fructify the a had entrufted to him ; in place of burying it in the earth of the world, he had placed it in the bank of life. There all his hours had been producreligious tive, become rich in knowledge and and his foul had The in love. SovereignPontiff judged him worthy of the archbifh opricof Florence, but he avoided the honours be nomto by cauflnghis friend S. Antoninus inated in his

ftead, and
his

he

continued

to

diffufe his
the bofom

on lightand charity

and pictures

into

of the poor. The virtue. talent of Beato He knew

not.

Angelicowas
the ambition

the

ornament

of his

which

lengthens

HIS

EULOGY,

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE.

Ijl

and him makes purchafe watchings of the artift, him labour without fuccefs fo painfully. To was forrow. cultivated did the He painting as Adam the flowers God were earthlyparadife ; his pictures in all produced in his foul, and he let them grow the Mailer's work their freedom, fearingto mar by Vafari he never tells us would a knowing culture. becaufe he looked his inalter his compofitions, on from Heaven.1 The favours leaft defire as fpirations his heart : he would disturbed of glory never make God praifed.To what good mall we fubfcribe his

the

works

Should He

mirror
not

arrogate

to

itfelf the

rays it

reflects ?

When he
not

have

pretend to make new tions. compofian image fatisfied his piety, why mould like the prayers we love to fay repeatedit,

did

again? Why not imitate the old mafters when we have them? Beato no Angelico thought hope to furpafs and of making only of loving our Lord and the faints, He them loved. fought the kingdom of heaven before
and the reft all, He make had
was

added from

unto

him. all the that qualities love of the

received

Heaven

great artifts : the underftandingand

of exquifltefenlibility able
not

beautiful,an

heart, a
prompt
him
to

fertile

hand and a imagination, had If his humility him.

and

obey
the

removed

from

rivalries of his age, he would

in the material faithful
more

have
caufed
to

Ghiberti furpafTed
for
art

progrefshe
than Ghiberti order fevere

in

Italy.
put
a

More

he tradition,

fimpler and
1

into his

compofitions.
fua dipintura,ma

Aveva

per coftume

non

ritoccare che

ne

recconciare la

mai

alcuna

lafciarle fempre in ch'

quel modo

eranovenute

prima volta,per credere, fecondo

eglidiceva,

che

cosi fufle la volonta

di Dio.

272 His
Laft

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

Judgments
in
we

in lines and

mow efpecially of groups. difpoiitions

remarkable His them

and

fkill
are

types
in
our

deeply
he

felt ; and

fee

that Thofe

he of

ftudied
our

tation medi-

prayer.

Lord

Lady

heads His of painted amidfl lighs and tears.1 well the Divinity clothed in flefh to Chrift reprefent, of the Madonna make and his figures fuffer, virginity underftood But what in what
makes

it has

moft

fweet mofh

and

delicate.

his

genius fhine

is his types of

he knew which how WhiLft to vary infinitely. angels, of heavenlyfpirits, who are looking at the multitude and adoring,ringing, performingdances and concerts, how lhall
we

not

believe he lived

that with

thofe them

cell,and
fweet
are

that

angelsvilited his in brotherly and

to

? The faints he has reprefented beft familiarity thofe who by their life and youth approach nearer! the angelic nature. The drawing of Beato Angelico has not the great of the fchool of Giotto. His lines
are

character

lefs

lefs fevere,and the richnefs of the details fomefimple, obfcures the beauty of the whole. times Still in his with figuresin a high ftyle, which meet we pictures have difowned, and with which not Raphael would he even are infpiredhimfelf. His movements true, violent actions ; he was able unthey exprefs except when the paffions, fo oppofed to the meeknefs to render of his foul, whilft none equal him when he deals with expreffing pious and tender emotions ; and then the attitudes and geftures fuperabound in charming grace and naturalnefs. fometimes
Crocififlo che
non

The

feet

and

hands
all
di

of

his

perfonagesare
1

neglected:
fi

the

life is

Non

fece mai

bagnafiele gote

lagrime.

HIS

EULOGY,

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE.

273
the artift

concentrated has

in their

countenances.

There

and all the perfection of his difplayed fplendour genius. His heads have a delicacyof exprefhon,a finenefs of model not fufpected except by tryingto His draperies them. are noble, full and quiet copy
as

in the

ancient and

works. in

His

ornaments

are

nearly

of are good tafte. His contours admirable an purity. Beato Angelico'scolouringis and its fhades tranffull of light lively ; its tints are The maffes We out. are broadly marked parent. of pencil, remark and extreme an a facility efpecially which of procedures particularly limplicity agrees with monumental life pres painting.Although no artift/ faithful to fents a more unity,a talent more perfect ftill diftinguifh the fame three we can infpiration, epochs in the unity of the whole, in which the years he parted and means through are reflected. The firft epoch was that of his youth and fludies ; it began with and his exile in Umbria, was impregnated with the then in tradition of the primitive fchools,to bloom

always fober

the folitude of his foul

of Fiefole. he added
an

To

the

and limplicity

purity
of he

exuberance, a
of

tendernefs

an feeling,

inimitable

frefhnefs

expreffion.If

of youth, he had alfo its inexperience. qualities fometimes His compofitions too were fymwanted metrical ; his figures pliancy ; he loved richnefs of details too much. and perfection The of ornaments this epoch is the Coronabeft reprefenting tion mafterpiece had all the of the The had had in the Virgin, fecond epoch was
convent

Louvre. that of Marco his

manhood, which
He de-

the

of San his

for its theatre.

corrected

and defects, whilft preferving

T

274

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

lludy of veloping his good qualities.The completed that of the old mailers ; his brum
more

nature

had with

breadth in
an

and

freedom.

He

united

grace

noblenefs tions
were

admirable varied
and

His limplicity.
more

compoiiit is

more

learned, and
of his

evident the This

placed at the wrought in art by progrefs

that he
was

fervice

fanctity
is

the fchool

of Ghiberti. and life,

the moll

productive periodof

his

the Crofs, from by the Defcent fittingly reprefented of in the Academy of Fine Arts ; by the Adoration the Magi, in the cell of Cofimo de Medici by ; and his Laft Judgments. Rome called Beato Angelico within its walls, Laftly, Chriftian Art in the Vatican. and he went to inaugurate The a fpectacleof the eternal city made profound imprellionon his foul, and gave frelh power to the V. maturity of his foul. The chapel of Nicholas evinces the ftudy of the antique by the vigour of the and drawing, beauty of the draperies, grandeur of the ftyle. His unfinilhed Orvieto work indicates at the perfection of monumental painting. Thus, in thefe three epochs,Beato Angelico was the means and demanded to always on the progrefs, in turns, from give his holy infpirations, tradition, and the antique. He is and alwayswill be the nature moll: perfect of Chriftian artifts. model His influence his contemporaries in not on was The of proportionwith his fuperiority. fovereignty the worthy fuccefTor, Giotto, to which he was ought to have belonged to him ; but art had taken another direction, had greatly narrowed and the patronage of princes the domain of religiouspainting,by replacing the

HIS

EULOGY,

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE

275
of the

action

fo

powerful
from

of

the

church

and

people. Moreover,
removed made

the the

humilityof
movement

Beato of his
to

Angelico
age, and the diftant

him him

the prefer

peace

of his cell

Still journeys which would have fpread his name. he had pupils. Vafari names four of them, Gentile Domenico di Michelino, da Fabriano, Zanobi Strozzi,
and

Benozzo Gentile

Gozzoli. da Fabriano

might
;

have

known
to

our us

painter
difficult

and
to
was

his appreciated
reckon

talent

but

it feems of of
a

him

in the

number

his

He difciples. when Beato

the head old, and already

fchool

Angelico was
We find in 1423. He

hardlybeginning to acquirereputation. him the head of the painters of Orvieto at his talent indicates another mailer. Belides,
a

remained

ftxanger to

the artiftic character

movement

of

Florence, and
of

preferveda

and

meagrenefs

recall the fchools of the north. drawing which Through Venice, he might have been in contact with German artifts ; and the eulogies of Roger of Bruges, who of Italy, are proclaimshim to be the firft painter explainedby the natural fympathy he muft have had with regard to Beato for his ftyle. His inferiority It is enough to bring his Angelico is indifputable. which is in the Academy of Fine Arts at mafterpiece, Florence the Adoration of the Magi, and reprefents along with the fame fubjecttreated by Beato Angelico in the Convent We mould of San Marco. fay that there was than more a century of progrefsbetween the two pictures. The compofition of Gentile da Fabriano is plain and constrained drawing is ; the feeble, the perfonages badly poftured and overT

276
burdened

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

with

ornaments,

whilft is

the

whole

compofiand full of

tion of Beato noblenefs Zanobi and

Angelico
life.

broad, learned
tells
we

Strozzi, Vafari
Florence attributed
us

us,

executed
not

many what

for paintings may be

now

;x but
to

do

know

him. di

remains the left

one

to
we

by

Domenico

are

all aftonimment

picture Only a iingle Michelino, and it is to meet with, to the

on

Fiori.

exile

dei the fombre vaults of Santa Maria entering mortal offer his imIt reprefents Dante to returning illuftrious the city The of Florence. to poem with his melancholy is crowned laurels ; but
us

and lonely ftepsremind expreffion

glory painful The execution of this pictureis firm and to him. was is not lightfome unworthy of the mailer. ; the work The celebrated moft Angelico is pupil of Beato Benozzo Gozzoli, who was the faithful companion of The all his labours. happy influence of fo holy a in the paintingshe exedirection cuted efpecially appears
for the death of the churches of Montefalco. But after the he gave way to a tendance good religious, His which approximated him with Ghiberti. nificent magSanto recall more the at the Campo paintings than the great of Florence gates of the Baptiftry fchools. traditions of the primitive They reprefent the luxury and elegance of the Italians rather than the fimple life of the patriarchs. Inferior to Beato of Chriftian fentiments, he Angelico in the expreffion is alfo far from

how

drawing and
1

in
che

equallinghim the harmony of

fece quadri
e

in the colours.
tutta

purityof
2

the

Zanobi

Strozzi

tavole per

Fiorenza, per le

case

de' cit-

tadini.
"

Vafari

paffesa high

encomium

on

Benozzo

Gozzoli, and

reprefentshim

to

us

278
The

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

fchool

of

Sienna, fo
have

faithful

to

its

religious
works fifteenth

muft traditions, of Beato

fludied particularly many been artifts of his

the the

Angelico, and
feem
to

century
has

have

pupils.

This

idea

ftruck Giovanni di Paolo to us as efpecially (1403-1 48 2), whofe ftyleand grace remind us of the of Fiefole. The imitation is plain in his Laft painter The Judgment, in the public galleryof Sienna.1 compolition is the fame, and in it we admire the fame of angelsand bleffed embracing. groups di Pietro (1406-1 481) equallyapproachesour Sano for the holinefs of his virginsand purity of painter his angels. His pictureswere too, and we prayers the religious, who ordered of him an well underftand for the fouls of her father and mother.3 altar-piece The fchool of Perugino, called the fchool of Umbria, is thought to offer the moft perfectexpresfion of myftical Myfticifm, alike in painting painting. in religion, is the higherinfpiration of divine love as Had directingall our thoughts and all our works. like Beato ? We Angelico,this infpiration Perugino, think fo. We far from do not are admitting the him ; but for atheifm Vafari makes againft reproaches whilft we we artift, quite recognize him as a religious
do
not
crown

him

with from

the Heaven

aureola
a

of

the
and

faints. fweet

Perugino
nature,
in

received he

happy
Beato

which

cultivated, like
che col fondamento
e

Angelico,

Luca

come

in

quella perfona
con

del

difegno e degli ignudi

e particolarmente,

la grazia della invenzione

delle storie, aperfe difpofizione

arte.

alia maggior
1

paite degliartefici la via all'ultima

terza,

perfezione dell'

Stanza Stanza

No.

n.

quinta, No.
di Domemcho

40. di

On

the frame
oer

is read,
Lanima

Qucjlaiavola
di

afatafaicfuoro
ct

Bartholomea

Franciefcho

fuo padre

dijiia madrr.

HIS

EULOGY,
tomb of

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE.

279
The
to

near

the

S.

Francis bound art, and of the The

of him he

Aflifi.

ftudy
great
to

of the ancient traditions his talent the fchool of

matters

again
then

the

Chrittian midft

went

in the of
over

material influence

ripen of progreffes
of

Florence. him is

Andrea

fellow difciple indifputable ; a of Leonardo da Vinci, he caught like him, in the workfhop, the love of form, the fweetnefs fculptor's which is one of his moft of model remarkable ties. qualiHe prefervedhis religioustendencies,which trenched the paganifm that the patronage of the on Medici and more was more developing; and this was the principal caufe of his reputation in Italy. He mutt have the favour of all thofe who had ftill necettarily had works love The
we

Verrochio

any

fenfe of

Chrittian the

art

in their

foul.

Still his

rarelyoffer
have fearch after his be

admired

holy thoughts and the fap of in Beato Angelico'spictures.

the
too ;

and beauty diftracted gracefulnefs devotion. His Madonnas

not
are

painterfrom
pure his
not to

but they are Chrittian, their in

divine

and

angels,with do not poftures,

The turicchio and
two

flying draperiesand affected of thofe that us anything remind

cell.

viiited the Dominican moft and

celebrated

pupils of Perugino,Pinfaithful
to

Raphael,were

the

religious

tendencies of their matter. Pinturicchio poetical alfo approached Beato Angelico by the traditional character of his compolitions and by the purityof his talent. Defpite the fad patronage of Alexander His chapels VI., his pencil remained trulyChrittian. in Santa his Hiftory of S. Maria del Popolo, and Bernardine of Sienna at Ara recall, Coe/i, by the fweet-

280

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGEL1C0.

nefs of the

and expreffions

the
convent

of quietnefs of San

the

light,

the beautiful frefcos in the

Marco.
too

Raphael
not to

had
and

genius

too

delicate and

exalted

comprehend that of Beato Angelico. Like Perugino, he perfected his talent at Florence ; his intimacy with Fra Bartolomeo lets us difcover him amidft our painter's mafterpieces. He certainly the fpirit ftudied them, and which reflected fo well the merits it met with, mult have ftamped on them the qualities he moil fympathifed. with which
Some two-fold Catholic writers feem
to
us

love

to

fall into

forth too much the exaggeration, by fetting fentiment of his firft works, and by branding religious fo rigoroufly the pagan tendencies of his laft years.

Raphael

was

neither

faint mofl:

nor

an

apoftle.

To

had fallen loftynature which artift could, perhaps,poffefs. The an purity his underftandingand of tendernefs of his heart him enabled to comprehend and love the beautiful, and the
one

his lot the

and happier!

he

had

the

refources
was
more

than qualities

and imagination of a docile hand for renderingit. No thefe precious capable of cultivating Perugino. The pupil ftraightway appropriat
a

treafures

of

fertile

the talent of the

mafter, but

did not,

as

he,

fchools,and ftudy the primitive

rated himfelf from
to

confequentlyhe fepaart.

the great traditions of

He

tinued con-

from tafte than from more painter religious becaufe they were piety. He chofe Chriftian fubjects the Gofpel he borrowed from and the mofl: beautiful, becaufe he judged nothing of its purity, fomewhat more figure. His capable of fettingoff the human amiable and chafte, Madonnas but do they prefent are be
a

HIS

EULOGr, the
are

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE.

281

that Son

ideal of ?

Virgin-Mother
even

and

of

her

Divine of Peru-

They
To of the

lefs

than faintly
all
as

thofe

gino.
type
the cited

propofe them
creature

above

the mod
us,
to

is, it
of the

feems

to

perfect deny all

Even in is often

the great traditions

fchools. primitive which

Difpute
as

of

the

Holy Sacrament,
Chriftian deiired
on

the

perfectionof
much
; to

painting, the
the fcore
on

fubject leaves
Real Prefence

be

of the

fentiment religious

it

is,if you
a

will,a thefts

but it is not the ftyle, admirable Aquinas compofed by S. Thomas poem for the feaft of the Holy Sacrament. Raphael lefs high, his fall will be By thus railing
fine

written

in

lefs great feduced but

frill it

was

real.

this

artift fo loaded
was never

Senfuality, by degrees, riches and with glory ;

the excelTes which Romano. Giulio

his hand

foiled with and

Marco difgraced He abandoned

;

Antonio Chriftian it
not

fubjectsfor mythological
difficult for him And
was

nudities

but

was

very

to

reiift
not

being dragged along by his age ? encouraged and applauded in his princes of
to

he

defection been X.

by
a

the

the the

Roman

court

It has of Leo

wifhed

make

artiftic patronage

of the been the the

and
one

Church. of

Yes, it is a glory, for that

thofe has the terrible trials which

glory reign has

that

mow

Church faults holinefs Leo X. of

man

that and everlafting promifes, will never change the doctrine Chrift.1 of his The
the

of the continued the ruin

Audin

Spoufe of
the

traditions
art.

and family, world

point
of

completed
1

of Chriftian
Leo X. is

loft
view

The

work
art.

of

M.

on

deplorablein

of

Chriftian

282

DEATH

OF

BEJTO

JNGELICO.

the
were

comprehenfion
frill Chriftian

and

recollection

of

it.

There
like the their around

artifts, indeed, who,

offered captivity,
to

faithful

Jews

of

the

God

works, melancholyas the regrets for fatherland

the hearth
a

of the

exile.
no

But

thefe
more

artifts

no

longer
in

formed
or

people : they
The

had

laws, worfhip,

feftivals. their have

hoftile and

conqueror altars.

profaned
What the Chrift

peace

temples
the

their of
art

nection con-

fchools the

Titian, of
of which did thofe feek

Caracci,
is the of

and

of and

Bernini, with
the

type
the

infpirer?What
colour of and of
manner

idolators in

drawing, of
dreams

realizing

little if not a grofsfenfuality, ? moral natural from They feparated glory and cam beauty ; and their art is merely a body without foul which coiruption foon deforms. They pretended the ancients ; but imitate to they are as far from ancient art, had It is art,
as

their

ancient

would

have

been

from

Chriftian

they continued its noble deftinies. that Beato Angelico not aftonifhing
ages the
a

has

been
name

forgottenduringthefe
has tombs been buried the under which

of defolation. like Renaiffance, devafted But

His

the facred the

ruins of

cloifter and the

brambles ferious

of the defert

cover.

amidfl

vaft and

his glory is ftudy we are making of the paft, beginning to appear to us, like the break of a better and frivolous life, art has day. Weary of its unbelieving tecture, feated itfelf on the threfhold of our churches,and archifeem and painting fculpture under This aid their fecular vaults
to

fain God

to

unite

again

pray

to

together.

labour, not to be barren, mufl archaeological Chriftian art in findingits great infpirations again.

HIS

EULOGY,

PUPILS

AND

INFLUENCE.

283

It is ruins

not
;

its bufinefs

to

forms analyfe

and

profitby the leffons of ftudies on the inanimate and not death, the fcalpel of the paft have fprung remains, Thefe monuments from idea and love which to are an a tinue conneceflary them. They have a meaning which we muft
it muft

catalogue hiftory Life

to

underftand,
we

muft

and fymbolical liturgical language which like Lazarus fpeak. Chriftian art is fleeping
a

it is

to neceffary go with Beato Angelico is the

Chrift beft

to

fet it free. follow him the his in this rupted interple, exam-

revival

of

Chriftian muft

art, and be

guide to through

tradition
we

recovered. the

After

muft

firmlybelieve
admire
we

dogmas,
in the

meditate lives of works

the the of of

Gofpel,and
faints the
;

its beauties alfo

and

muft

ftudy them
are

in the

mafters

of the old
to
are

fchools,who
the old

the fathers
to

Chriftian

art, not

imitate

but ftyle, of the

follow
to

the types which rendered.

the definitions

truths
a

be

has Art, like religion, delivers the fame artift muft

need

of
to

doctrinal all. Is it
not

which authority, The

to

truths
nature.

Chriftian

ftudy
God Let

exprefs the
of the

truth

that

has him

made

all the

wonders

vifible world? them

penetrate it

with his divine by ftriving him Let model. employ, as a docile language, the the pliancy of lines,the of proportions, noblenefs the harmony of colours, and let him magic of light, unite them again on the figureof man, that all nature

then, and

reflect

may

its Author. glorify beauties have the artift may ftudy in the works confecrated them vain idols. to may take the

All thefe of Like thofe the

who

he people of Ifrael,

precious

284

DEATH

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

vales

of

Egypt,

to

go

and
art

facrifice is rich

to

the

true

God which

in his

the hand

defert.

Ancient caft is
to

metal,

may

decorate Let

the him

fan"uary.
then of

All

that

is the

beautiful

Chriftian. the

appropriate
the

purity
the
and

of

tafte,

perfection
fhine in the

form,
monuments

simplicity,
of Rome is the

meafure Athens. of

which The

paganifm
fouls. formed
nature

we

have

to

dread

paganifm
Beato

our

Angelico
of it

his

talent and the

in

the

fold threeBut love ?

fchool what will holinefs is the Chriftian and

art

tradition,
to

antique.
his

avail

have

his mull: and

fcience imitate it has

without him. other

By
art

efpecially
of

we

Chriftian law then but muft manifeft whilft human in of

Chrift,
The

no

the hear the

life. Chrift love

Chriftian like
and

artift he muft

follow and himfelf.

Him,
his

truth,

God He

neighbour
all well

forgetting glory,
his the but and

muft in of
unto

renounce

ever

repeat,
device
"

his the

attempts
monks O

as

as

fuccefs,
middle
unto

the

and

knights
not

ages,

Not

us,

Lord,
Non

unto

us,

Thy

name

give
tuo

glory

nobis
3

Domine,

non

nobis, fed

nomine

da

gloriam."

286

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED
eftablifh

IN

Firft

of

all, it is eafy to
Beato that he

the

immenfe Facts firft

of reputation and
texts

Angelico during
was

his life.

prove

then

efteemed

the

in Italy. painter At

Florence, Beato

Angelico
Medici.

was

the

painterpreferred
and tions corpora-

by
entrufted the

Cofimo

de

Churches the

contended the

for his decoration

pictures ;
of their

pontiffs fovereign
him
;

palacesto

and

magiftratesof Orvieto, in their deliberation of July nth, 1447, expreftedthe general opinionwhen in they declared him to be the moft celebrated painter ultra alios piclores : Et Pope Italy ejlfamofus ytalicos.1
Nicholas

epitaph he compofed in his alter Velut : proclaimed him another Apelles praife, of S. of the Order Apelles. Laftly,the religious fear to Dominic did contradicted be not by their when in the they alfo placed him contemporaries chronicle firft rank in their necrological The notices. Domenico of Fiefole names him of San eminently F. Joannes the Petri de : Mugello juxta painter
V., in
the

Vichium, optimus pi"or.2 The

of
was

annals

of the

convent

San

Marco,

in of

brother

fpeaking of Fra Benedetto, fay he Beato Angelico, that admirable

" "

Germanus : fratris Joannis, illius tarn mirandi painter In another that he picloris."3 place,they declare in Italy : Qui paffedfor the great mafter of painting habebatur Two

pro fummo poets

magijlroin

arte

in picloria,

Italia"*

contemporary

with

Beato

Angelico

See

page
S. D. de

256.
de

Cronica
conv.

conv.

fol. 97. Fefulis,

"

1407.
"

Annalia
4

S. M.
conv.

Florenlia,A, fol.
de

211.
"

1448.

Annalia

S. M.

Florentia, fol. 6.

1449-

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

287

equallyprove
Domenico

his great

Corella, of
Santa

reputation. The htft is Padre the Order of Friar-Preachers,

died

priorof
his
not

Maria De

Novella, who
Giotto

poem

entitled

Origineurbis

1483. he Florentine,
Cimabue.

in

In has

placed our

below painter

and

Angelicas piclorquam
Nomine,
non

finxerat ante, Johannes

non

otto,

Cimabove

minor.

The the

fecond

is Giovanni

di Santi in di his

of

Urbino,
Dei

father

of

great

Raphael, who,
Fedrico
a

poem,

fatti ed
Beato

imprefe di

duca

Urbino, fpeaks of

Angelico as

: glory of Italy

Ma

nelP Italia, in que ft a

eta

prefente

Vi

fu

il

degno gen

til da

Fabriano

Giovan

da
not

al Fiefole

bene ardente.

has Pofterity three

were,
1.

difavowed them

thefe before

encomiums,
Vafari.

and

authors

repeated
de

Thefe

Pere

Jean in

Touloufe, who
His notice

wrote
on

the Beato

chronicle

of Fiefole and
2.

15 16.
is very

Angelico
convent not

his works Padre

incomplete.
Ubaldini, annalift
died
at

Roberto who

of the

of

San

Marco,

Siena

in

1534, has

made

known, too, any important fact.

Leandro

3. Padre and

Alberti,the
of the Order

celebrated

hiftorian

geographer of Bologna, in
illuftrious written
on men

his Latin of This of

the has which

Eulogies on Friar-Preachers,
is the his

Beato the

Angelico.
exact date

gives us

eulogy death, and

the V.1

relates,with
occafion

fome

variations, his
to

fcrupleson
Nicholas

of his invitation

dine

by
p. 294.

V.

Marchefe, vol.

i.

288

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED

IN

B.

JO.

Fesulaxus.
fanctitate

"

"Joannes

Fefulanus.

He-

trufcus, vir Martii, Romae

ad Minervam

et confpicuus,
mcccclv
.

pingendi arte
xn.

anno peritiffimus,

Domini

Kalend.

vita functus in

et eft,

in bafllica S. Mariae viro Max. Fuit

fepulchro lapideo tanto

Nicholaus

digno
duobus
vene-

tumulatus, quod
randus
ut

V, Pont.
curavit.

graphiceexornari epitaphiis
vir
tantae

hie

obfervantiag

inftitutionum

fuarum,

Pont. Max. minimam confiftens, earum palatio Nam Nicholaus cum partem haudquaquam omiferit. Pontifex ei facellum in palatio, quod adhuc cernitur, picturis exornandum et eum tradidiffet, aliquandoviferet, in
ac

diceret

Hodie, Joannes, volo

laboribus mihi

ut

carnibus

vefcaris,
:

nimis

enim

ferunt indulfifti, refpondiffe

Pater fan el e, hoc Et Pontifex Ex

dulgeo.

ccenobii non indulflt. praefectus : Ipfe qui omnibus praefum,tibi hoc inhoc enim conjici poteftquanta fuerit cum noftrorum

viro patrum ifto fan (51 o

obfervantia

tionum^ inftitu-

hoc vivum
tatem

indultum fui praelidente a ccenobii qui ftbi non Pontifici objecerit.Apprime Nicholaus tantum eft, ob ejus vitae integricoluit,ac veneratus
ac morum

excellentiam."1 is the hif-

Vafari Notwithftandinghis imperfections, torian who anterior of his and taken labour
numerous us gives

the beft information He

on

the

painters
editions in

to

the RenahTance.

two publifhed

work, the firft in 1550, and the fecond

this laft all the his
care,

1568
been

from

other

editions

have

fince with

death. threw

The it into

author better

corrected

his
made

order,and
Thefe

and
viris

important
Proedicatorum in fol. ;

additions.
fex
in

changes
Leandro

De

Ord. illuji.
i

libri

u/ium

congejH, auftore
a

Alberti

Bononienfi ;

vol.

Bononiae,

15 17, fol. 5, f. 252

tergo.

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

289

in the Life efpecially perceived both as to which has gained much

are

of Beato form
and

Angelico,
extent.

It is natural
came

to

feek

how

the facts of
a

to

him.

The the

tradition

given by Vafari life is painter's

;

by ealily preferved
dwelt

ftudy of

his works the memory He

and

Vafari

in the

two

where cities,
be

of Beato would he
was

Angelico would it through at

Luca

beft

three

perpetuated. with whom artifts,

contemporary
in
1440
or

get
nected. con-

was Signorelli
as

with
1441.

Beato He

gelico, Anmuft

he

was

born

have

been

interefled particularly the celebrated

in

everything that
works
was
a

concerned continued of feen

whofe painter, of Orvieto. He

he tive rela-

in the cathedral

Vafari, who
heard

and

octogenarian,who
have told many
a

well recollected perfectly having him in his youth ; and the good loved chatting very dearly,muft to ftoryof old times,when he went the
nuns

paint a picture for

Arezzo. Then

of

Santa

Marghereta
the young
a

at

he became him faved

to

acquaintedwith
work, foretold
him from death

Vafari, perfuaded
future
a

brilliant

for

him,

and

by flopping

an

bleedingat the nofe. Vafari declares that he retained recollection of him. everlafting French Vafari's drawing-mafter alfo was minican, Doa Guillaume de Marcillat, who, at that time,
*

executing the ftained glafsfor the cathedral of Arezzo. Luca muft have fpoken Signorelli naturally
was
1

Et

perche egliintefe,ficcome
in

era

vero,

che

il

fangue
volta

in

grand copia, pofe

di

m'
di

ufciva
fua mi

eta quell' un

dal

nafo, che

mi

lafciava alcuna

tramortito, mi

mano,

al collo,con diafpro
eterno

infinita
"

amorevolezza, la qual memoria

Luca

Luca

ftara in

fiffa nell' animo.

Vasari, Life of

Signorelli.

290

BEATO

ANGEL1C0

JUDGED
this

IN

of Beato
able
to

Angelicowith
admire his works
at

who religious,
convents

had

been

in the

of his Order. the direction him Maria fhare his

When

Vafari ftudied

Florence

under made

of

Michael

Angelo,
for the Marco. thick

his mafter of

admiration and he of
was

wonders

Santa
know

Novella

San very the

Laftlywe
with
an

old

that pofitively who miniature-painter, of arola Savon-

received in

habit from the hand religious 1496, only fortyyears after the death Fra Euflachio Padre very had
a

of Beato

Angelico.
and that Vafari when

prodigious memory,
Bottonio information of the tells us from of

his contemporary obtained he made We Vafari. of Beato and

Timoteo valuable

him,
the have The in

his firft edition fee how

Lives

Painters.1

tradition

might ealily
is
a

reached
Life

Angelico by
us

Vafari

wanting
confufed

judgment,

offers

but

little except

of his works. What it incomplete enumeration moft remarkable, is the fincere enthufiafm of prefents the author for an artifl whofe genius muft have been the epoch of the RenaifTance. fo little underftood at The merit and holinefs of the painter put Vafari out and and fubdued

him.

Ideas

clafhed

in his

mind,

as

is feen

Fra
raro

Euftachio

Fiorentino, converfo
Era miniatore

di San

Marco, fu

un

belliffimo opere,

et fpirito

di

ingegno.
Hebbe

eccellente, et fece belliffime

che

in

quefto
di San

genere; Marco. infiniti

fpecialmenteun
gran
di

faltero grande belliffimo

fi adopera nel choro

a

memoria,

et

tutto

che

fofle decrepito, recitava

gran

mente

luoghi

Dante,

rrei quale de'

et

egli haveva
pittori,veniva

pratica. Ouando

il Vasari

fcrifie la prima

volta

le Vite molti

fpeflb a ragionare con quegliantichi

fi
et

quefto
illuftri
mi
et

vecchio, dal quale cavo

artefici. ricordo Andava per

belliffimi
con un

di particolari baftone

il convento il punto
io

al

quale

appoggiava,et
dolciffima
a

che

afiai temeva

della morte,
vidi.
"

la

awenne quale poi gli

ficcome placidiffima,
Jnnal.

proprio
;

Haveva
V.

83 anni,

et

mori

25 fettembre.

mfs., vol. ii., p. 301

1555.

Marchese,

vol. i., p. 175.

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

29 Life of Beato

in the

reflections which

commence

the

Angelico in the edition of 1550 and clofe it in that of 1568. he who He does certainly acknowledged that fhould himfelf be religious. and holy fubjecls religious For we thefe fubjects know that when treated by are for perfonswho have little faith and little refpedr. religion, they often infpire unbecoming and licentious thoughts. We then blame the work as immoral, even whilft we praife the talent of the artift." Still he would wifh that what is only ill-made and foolifh fhould not be found pious, is beautiful and good licentious, and what as as they do who condemn profane the figures of females or of young beautiful a little more perfons than ordinary. They do not fee that they are in the the painterwho has reafon to believe to blame wrong
" "

that the faints of both

fexes
on

in heaven

fhould

have

greater beauty than

all the They mow of their heart by criticizing like thingswith perverfity chafle as they would zeal ; for if they were a fhipid as fain appear, they would fee there only the love of heaven and a homage paidto God, the fupreme perfection, from whom all the beauty of His creatures comes." The very writer diftincl: of the Renaiffance here confounds
two

earth.

and fenfes,

figuresof

fpeaksare ordinary.
In the reflections
"

beauty that pleafesthe the beauty that pleafes the foul. The he females and of young people of whom than but more nude not more beautiful,
edition of his

beauties, the

fecond
an

work, he
he thinks

adds

to

thefe

argument
thefe

What

would

triumphant. people then do," fays fcrupulous

u a

which

292

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED
in the

IN

he,

"

if

they found
and

themfelves

of living prefence fweet

beauties,with voluptuous manners,

movements, What fhadow would of looks which

words, graceful
feeble hearts ?

ravifh

they become,

if the

beauty, fo overturns fee of what beauty Vafari fpeaks,and we need not the reality. decide if the image offers lefs danger than his refervations, and declares, that Still Vafari makes
"

image alone, the them?" We clearly

fuppofedthat he approved of the almoft nude entirely figureswhich are depicted in the fanctity The painterought to refpect churches. of the place." Did Vafari apply this reproachto the Laft Judgment in the Siftine chapel ? Whilft we ftudying the works of Beato Angelico, have liked to quote an admirer fo little fufpected.
he would
not

have

it

Vafari virtues

feems of

to

have

been

very
"

well

informed

on

the

Would to God/' he Angelico. would cries, that all religious men employ their life this truly Angelic father did ! for he confecrated as Beato
"

every

moment

of his and

to

the fervice of God

and What

to

the

good
can or

of the world

of his

neighbour.

more

ought to be defired than to gain the kingdom of heaven by livingholily, fame on and an everlafting ? earth by making mafterpieces Befides, a talent fo fo extraordinary, that of Fra Giovanni as fuperior, of great fanctity. He could belong only to a man
avoided all the works of the

world, and
a

his life was

fo

pure, he loved his foul

at

the poor in fuch in heaven. would

manner,

that I believe

is

now

He

laboured continually

painting,and might have been

he
was

accuftomed

only faints. He reprefent rich,but he thought not of it,and to fay that true riches confift in

294

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED

IN

of Beato portrait Angelicois the his tomb. The fculptor one on might have executed it from memory, from tunately, Unformould. even or a plafter this bas-relief, which is well preferred, is very ferve but little to make done, and can coarfely up features of our Beato. again the principal According Luca in his frefco at Orvieto, to tradition, Signorelli, has reprefented Beato Angelicoin one of the religious prefentat the punifhment of the martyrs of Antichrift. The head been of that religioushas not drawn from life ; it is too and Luca Signorelli young, not was our painter yet lixteen years old when young cannot died, in 1455, at tne age "f nxty-eight. We then receive this tradition.

The

moil

authentic

be more valuable, althoughit portrait may is deteriorated by the pencilof the drawer and by the has been This wood-engraver's execution. portrait copied from the one which Fra Bartolomeo put, they fay,in the Laft Judgment executed for the hofpital of Santa Maria Fra Bartolomeo, Nuova, at Florence. in fact, might have portraits copied the authentic which and exifted San Marco. in his time The in the
convents

Vafari's

of

Fiefole minicans Do-

of portraits had of been

the celebrated

of the reform S.

Antoninus,
:

and

one

placed in the cell of Beato Angelico figured

of Fiefole, refectory

there and
at

another

exifted
was

alfo in the

the bottom Beatus

written,
moribus piclor,
merito
et

Ioannes

penicillo
C. F.

Angelicicognomen jure (hujus conventus

The moil ftnce the

H.

filius).
of in Italy, painting,

importanthiftorian

RenahTance,

is the learned

JefuitLanzi.

But

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

295
he

he

fpeaks very
to

of briefly

Beato
and

Angelico, whom
with the fchool

feems Still he

have
marks

little ftudied
out

little underftood.1 of

his relations

Giotto, and
at

Florence.

highlyextols the Coronation He fays nothing of the

Marco,
Rome and from

in the frefcoes

gallery
at

the

convent

of San and

Orvieto

at only cites the paintings authors, Opera lodatijjima

our dagli painter fcrittori.He thought to praife vaftly of his epoch, Vero Guido by callinghim the Guido Although this comparifon is injurious per quellaeta. Beato to Angelico,fome truth may ftill be found in fome material relations between it. There certainly are reminds Guido of Beato Angelico the two us painters. of his pencil, gance facility by a certain eleby the extreme certain fweetnefs of colourof proportion, ing and thefe natural have become but what : qualities with ? Beato the two Angelico developed painters

works, whiLft faintly them the artift of the decline lavifhed and diffipated Beato in vulgar ones. Angelico was always profor atoned greffingup to his laft day, whilft Guido old age. his eafy triumphs in a flighted The real hiftorian of Beato flrft and Angelico is
and Padre Vincenzo His

them perfected

in pure

and

Marchefe,
Memoirs

of

the

Order

of

Friarnican Domi-

Preachers.

of

the

moji eminent
a

is and Architecls, Painters, Sculptors

Italyand
1

for the church.2

Storia
della pittorica

The

author

glory for with explains,

del P. Vincenzo

Lanzi,

Italia ;

Scuola

Fiorentina, Epoca prima.

domenicani

Memorie

dei
2e

e pittori, fcultori piu injigni

architetti

Marchese,
fecond
be has

edition,
is much and

vol., in i2mo;
the the

Florence,
firft. We

Felix that

Le

Monnier,

1854. The
work

edition

fuperiorto
in

hope

this excellent

will

tranilated

published
in

Bibliotheque dominicaine.
the

[The
2

firftedition

already appeared
Translator's

Englifh, by

Rev.

C.

P.

Meehan,

vols., Dublin

1852.

Note.]

296

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED
merits

IN

the various great talent, he

of the artifts of whom

which denote a fpeaksand developesgeneralideas, Beato Angelico is deep infightinto Chriftian art. and he has written his life his favourite artift, naturally the greatefl at length and with the moil love. We debt of gratitude here, by are happy to pay our has been our guide declaringthat Padre Marchefe His refearches into the throughout all our labour. for archives of his Order documents procured new make known the him, which principal phafes of Beato Angelico'slife. He explains, by his refidence in Umbria, his relations with the primitive fchools, his progrefs in Chriftian art. It is and thus marks the harmony faid that Dante, in his Paradifo, mated of verfe with the doctrine of S. Thomas Aquinas ; I will freely that Beato add Angelico depicted the
"

works between

of the

both.
manner

There

are

fo

many

connections

in which

thefe three

great Italians

world clothe it with and explain the fupernatural the words images, that we may unceafingly compare of the artift. The of the writers with the paintings fchool of Bologna had itfelf to confined old myftical the reprefentations of certain fubjects. Simone painted Crucifixions,and V itale, Madonnas. Brought up in the and fruitful fchool of Giotto, Spinello poetical the whole Beato and Memmi, Angelico embraced of the New Teftament, and to it added, from hiftory in which, of legendarypainting, time to time, fubjects in my judgment, he furpafledall who had preceded his life and had confecrated He him. genius to the ftrict follow faithfully he refolved to religion ;
canons

of

Chriftian

art, and

all the

traditions

of the

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

297
faid
to

fchool been

of the

Giotto,

of

which He

he

may

be

have

pencil and he made like the Gofpelwith profane it, fubjecls, and religious of moral word, a means perfection."1 of Beato The residence Angelico at Fiefole feems Marchefe the moft alfo to Padre to be charming and In all the placeswere richeft periodof his talent. he flayed," fays he, "he ftrewed the flowers of art and thofe flowers feem to have been culled abundantly,
never
"

laft off-fhoot.

fullied his

in heaven. Umbria and

were

He of

fcattered

them the

on

the banks

mountains of moft
a

of Arno

and the

Tufcany, on
;

the

of

Tiber

but

the fairefl and

fragrant

referved Padre

for his beloved

hill of Fiefole."

of Beato equallyproves the progrefs San Marco. In thefe at Angelico in the pictures works/' fays he, "the progrefs of art at Florence in the play of the draperies, the flyle became of fenfible, in the improvement of his his figures, and particularly vigour in the drawingand model." by more manner, the as Laftly,he gives the chapel of the Vatican
"

Marchefe

apogee with

of the artift's talent.

"

We

will clofe
more

by faying
than in

Profefior

Rofini,that

in this work

Angelico improved his manner, that he may and arrived at fuch a perfection, difpute of his age."3 the palm with the noblefl geniufes of fome practical and fecondary If the want ledge knowhinders Padre Marchefe from the feparating of Beato works Angelico from thofe of his brother Fra Benedetto, he laysdown at leafl the true principles of the diflinction. After having refuted Profeffor
1

all the

others, Beato

Marchese,
Id., ch. 5. Id., ch. 8.

vol. i., 1. II.,ch. 4.

"

298
Rofini,
who

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED

IN

wifhed

to

recognize the
lefs richnefs

work

of

each

pictures, he adds, If Fra Benedetto has really paintedpictures rather feek his works and frefcoes, muft we amongft the feebleft paintingswe have been accuftomed to attribute to Beato Angelico, and efpecially amongft
"

painter by the greater or

of their

fome
are

frefcoes

of

the
to
a

convent

of

San

Marco,

which

inferior evidently With the does foul of

thofe

of Fra and

Giovanni."1
a

Chriftian

Padre
not

Marchefe end he if
we

judge
were

Beato
to

religious cially, efpeand Angelico,

all the

we

fhould

tranilate

in pafTages liafm.

which

has

expreiTedhis pious enthu-

the Coronation of the Bleffed defcribing Virgin, in the Gallery of Florence, the author adds, this picture caufes, is impofTo give the impreffion heart has a lible for the moil Ikilful eloquence. The and we always exprefs, language which words cannot unable out to ever are contemplate that picture withAfter
"

feelingourfelves
thofe made for the
ones

ardent

for

heaven.
were

Oh like
our

! if all

Catholic

Church

it,the
creed

from feparated be able to flander the worihip would not be a means would for images,like fpeech, unfortunate
are

who

of of

images; making
to

virtue

loved."3 Marchefe's
that work contribute powerfully The million. ftrong and he has made heard
;

Padre

will

give

art

fublime which

dependen inthe
we

truths

in and

country of the

Medici

will re-echo

far away

hope
In

that his work

will be foon
we

tranflated allowed
18.

into French. make

a

the

meantime,
1

ihall be

to

laft

Marchess,

ch. 1. I., vol. i.,

1. II.,ch. 5. Id., vol. i.,

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

299 author's

quotation, which
manner

will
on

give
art.

an

idea After

of

our

of

looking
the Life
and

mafterlyftrokes, in
to art
mows

fketching with the chapter ferving as an duction introof Beato Angelico, the hiftoryof
modern
art

in

ancient

times, Padre
its
means

Marchefe

that Chriftian times and

has varied

according
its To and the thefe
to
move
"

to

nations, without

changing

for all that

:

invariable have

principles.The

alwaysfor its aim, not inftrucl: ; pleafure fhould be the means end. The thought fhould be givenwith
and moral

are principles but to pleafe,

and all

not

iimplicity
the

clearnefs.
and

Acceffories

which of
to

would

difturb

effect religious The may artift ought ufe all the

to
means

rejected.
work
;

he

be fubject,muft in his have full liberty he judges beft to gain

the

fpeak to the foul and heart of the and where fpectator, paintingis not enough, he muft refort to clear and underftood fymbols,and if eaftly fymbols do not fuffice he muft aid himfelf by fpeech, and choofe texts of the Bible that give the artiftic out thought beft,and put them in the moft convenient place. In picturesexpofed to the veneration of the in their pilhe muft not faithful, grimag pourtray the faints,
All

his end.

ought

heavenlylightand glory; and in thefe of Chrift and of the Holy reprefentations, efpecially of he muft giving portraits Virgin, guard well againft
but in in the mind for the portrait awakens livingperfons, of the original of the fpectatorrecollections and of will certainly relations with him, and publicdevotion obferved. be only loft. Decency ought to be feverely he muft dread every immoral and bear fubjecl:, Laftly, in mind that Chriftian
art

is

divine

infpiration,

300 and

BEJ70

ANGEL1C0

JUDGED

IN

images of the blefTed and the holy joys of Paradife be properly and worthilyreprefented cannot without ardent heart, lively faith, a charityand pure fervent prayer." Germany is perhaps the country of Europe given conflicts between truth. and error up to the greater! Proteftantifm is attackingreafon, both Whilft divine and human, by denying with Dr. Straufs the divinity with Hegel and his difciples of Chrifl and by falling of terms, Catholicifm is publifhing into contradiction
admirable all the

that the

works, which
falfe the Rhine. advance in of

it fuffices French

to

tranflate go

to

refute
to

fyftems that

eclectics fcience in

feek

beyond
on

Hiftorical

the

Germany.
our

The
its
extent

is particular Study of the part

All affrights. all points of time and of fpace all languages, peoples, with unheard-of and ardour are interrogated perfeverfeems to have given the order for uniting God ance. afTure to the the testimonies of all ages together, to of the truth. world a laft and fupreme manifestation the True effort towards muft be a This naturally progrefstowards the Beautiful ; and in fact we fee Christian Stride towards Germany taking an immenfe Revolution the French and the conqueSts When art. of the national fpirit re-awakened of the Empire had their the Germanic races, they found, in tracing back of the infpiration a literature and monuments, origins, for religionis the which was religious, neceffarily and fap of the people. In the Study of principal the architecture, and their ancient fculpture poems, favour. paintingof the middle ages foon recovered BohTeree brothers The made Sulpice and Melchior a is the great work age
;

302

BEJTO

JNGELICO

JUDGED

IN

one

iinglehead

variety is full of foul, but

the hair and

of another repetition extended, not only to features alfo

to

is the

and

this
looks of

and

the

cut

and

arrangement
uncommon

beard, which

is

ufuallyof

(i

and attitudes." to the movements beauty,and laftly above He all,the two principalfigures. praifes, The Virgin is kneelingupon the topmoft Hep before

the

throne, a
on

little bent

forwards,her
which is but

beautiful

hands

crofTed

her exceeds

bofom,

Nothing
almoft

unmaterial There is

marked. flightly the elegance, the gracefulnefs of this of her and the virginal figure, purity

fomething paternalin the whole of Lord's body, and it is difficult to imagine that he our is the Son of her whom he is crowning. He holds the with both hands, in order to place it as gently as crown head. of The angelsare figures a beloved on poffible perfonsfull of amiable franknefs and happy young innocence the with cords a they touch graceful ; if harmony were their nature. The laft as negligence, has the plays a fort of viol,and turns afide, one, who air of one inebriated with joy and ravifhed with the founds he is drawing from his inftrument." After having examined the other figuresand the compofitions reprefentingthe Life of S. Dominic, Schlegel refumes, and ends with an accommodation
between fome
"

head.

the

arts

of the ancients
are are

and

moderns, in which
in
on

ufeful truths The work for

we

found.
a

condition of
ones.

examining placesus a judgment patting general

the need of

perfect

Giovanni

without Fiefole,

his

prefenting any other This artift fhares the qualities defects of and attachment contemporaries. Through a refpectful

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

303

he will be left, in fome perhaps, way, in the background, in regard to the fkill in the other parts of the effect of the painting, and to many His art. are fweetnefs,delicacy principalqualities and His talent is like a copious gracefulnefs. which fpring, glides evenly along,without impetuofity from and without a reftraint, by lovelyfoul purified pietyand contemplation. of Fiefole has made "The of Giovanni gracefulnefs Lanzi of the Guido of ancient give him the name painting. Lanzi, no doubt, wifhed therebyto pafs a of Fiefole, and the admirers grand eulogy on Giovanni of Guido's will permanner agreeableand fuperficial haps find the comparifon not to their very flattering favourite feeks originality and mailer ; but whofoever depth in art will not regard it either as juftor as fatiffactory. fweetnefs and Although gracefulnefs particularly of Fiefole, ftillthefe qualities Giovanni are diftinguiih not foreign to the genius of the Florentine generally
manner,
. . .

for the ancient

"

fchool. of

On

this

occasion,we
who

will take the

up

an

afTertion artifts

Winkelman,
a

pretends that
and The
. .

Tufcan

inherited ancient

harih, forced
all would and

Etrufcans.

from the ftyle comparifonis exceedingly be

more

over-done

and defective, which anyone

comparifonswill
deiire
to ;

or

lefs fo
arts

eftablifh between for

not

the

of

the ancients but differ, intimate

a

of the moderns

they are
meafure. of the

and effence,

only do they even completely oppofed in their be fubmitted to cannot, therefore,

With human the the form

common

Greeks, art began with

;

the

imitation

with

the

moderns,
affections

it is

attached,from

the to exprefs htft,

304

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED
of the

IN

of the foul.

In

the works

Greeks,
all the

the

human

body
of

was

in alreadyreprefented All

its ftructure.

phyfical power, vigour,before the

Even in the the

of perfection its movements, all the developments had been imitated with the greater!: foul
was

manifefted of the

on

the

ance. counten-

beauty

heads, which

confifts

the of features proportionsand regularity of the expreffion, difcovered only was independently very flowlywith the Greeks, comparativelywith the the ancient progrefsof art in all the reft. With the contrary, the body is drawn Chriftian on painters, the head, in a very imperfect to manner ; it is added in the variety in fome as fort, a neceffary evil, whilft, thefe artifts alreadymow of phyiiognomies, gradations with that they of feeling and an exquifitedelicacy, what we in painting fucceeded call the beauty of may intellectual view of the the foul. They took a more their eyes quite another worlds and alfo had under generation. By imitatingthe ancients only,have the moderns perfectedthemfelves in drawing the body. of art to fhow how ence differIt belongs to the hiftory of religionproduced thefe oppositedirections. the beginnings of art farther we towards The go back with
we

the ancients

and

with

the

moderns, the
to

more

do

find it

confecrated exclusively

ideas. by religious

more always became is properly its laft fought to reanimate with worldlyviews ; but all obfervation All fcience,

and fixed worfhip, the progrefsof time, art With and more worldly, and there epoch. In our days, they have it by purelytemporal reforts and this
means never can

fucceed.

to

talent infpire

with

is infufficient things, The creations. truly original of real

ITALY,

GERMANT

AND

FRANCE.

305

artift rauft be initiated into whether it

be,

as

with

the

of a higherorder myfteries ; Greeks, in the fphereof the

of with the ancient as nature, creatrix-powers or, in the fpiritual Chriftian painters, kingdom of man regenerated by faith. Art, deftined to mow us a the divine of in the vifible reflection perfections

world, is
how
to

fublime

want

of man, unlefs

but

he will and

not

know engage

fulfil his end

heaven

earth

in the work." In
an Pruffla,

Englifh amateur,
old the the Italian

Mr.

formed Solly,
was

collection
in

of the

matters, and
M. Hirt. and in

guided
lection colthe

his fearches
was

by
to

learned

This

fold of

king
Thefe

1820,
of

began
in

Mufeum than the thofe

return

Berlin.

pictures,purer
fchools
art.

ftyle

of the towards this

to

ancient

Germany, aided
government which
the it
two

Chriftian

The

favoured entrufted brothers

movement

the

learned
and

by the Rumohr,

million
and
to

Tieck, poets

Italywithout
ftudied the artifts in

plored exfculptors. Rumohr followingthe beaten paths; he

their

works, lives,and

mutual and

rummaged relations,
threw fchools.

archives, rectified
the

Vafari,

great
M.

light on
Rio
was

renders often

hiftoryof the primitive the value of his to juftice

to

work, which
fearches.

ferviceable

him
an

in his

re-

Rumohr

naturallygives
we

honourable
we

placeto Beato give here the

to

Angelico,and

regret that
pages

cannot

tranflation of the

which

he

cates dedi-

him.1 the RenaifTance the fchool of Chriftian

at

The
art

in

for event happieft Germany has been

1

founded

Rome

Rumohr,

Forfchungen,vol. ii., Italienifche p. 251.

306 by
Frederick

BEATO

JNGELICO

JUDGED
The

IN

Overbeck. young Vienna

date of this of Lubeck

was

new

era

is

1809. The to fly from

cafms
His of the Chriftian

Protectant before

obliged
and farDavid. the
a demical aca-

the

intolerance
and

of Raphael Mengs partifans and national he

went

ideas clafhed
to

with Rome

routine, and
air and found in the

feek

at

freer he

purer

doctrines.

Whilft

ftudying beauty
and God the

truth; he recognizedthe faith of his forefathers

of paintings became
a

the catacombs

of the bafilicas. fixed him in of

Overbeck the eternal

Catholic, and
back

Chriftian

there to win city, art, and to give to

traditions
went

all the

artifts who works.

there the great inftruction The

new

of his life and

whole

German the of

of the touchinghiftory and courageous fchool,its humble nings, beginof a few young ftruggle vations people againftpriwhich fhared every kind, the rare friendship world knows

the

both gave

toils and them

an

crowns.

From

the poor

convent

which

of afylum has gone forth the generation out artifts that now covers Germany. Rationalifm, withthere ; but Catholicifm doubt, finds fome partifans the of is ever truly the infpirer progrefsand the the We here appreciate mafter of the work. cannot ful character of the German fchool,and fay how beautiit is in its whole, how happy in its independence, fchool follow French We will only long to fee our own of M. like path, and a repeat the beautiful words Hallez, in his letter to M. Claudius Lavergne, on the of 1855. "What we fubjectof the univerfal expofition have to do, is to ftudy with brotherlyfympathy what elders have done in the career, and to fupportthem. our Chriftians of different nations, that is to fay,dif-

ITALY,
ferent

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

307
vour, endeabut let

companies of the fame army, let us in good time, to outftrip another ; one us never forgetthat the victory of the one victoryof all."1
We

is the

regret that
is

we

cannot

do

homage
of

here

to

the German

to that fchools, particularly

DufTeldorf,
2

fo great ferrendering, through its Society, vices for the propagation of religious but we prints ; hail them all in the perfon of Frederick Overbeck, their chief,the moil worthy fuccefTor of Beato Anlaft flay at Rome, of our one gelico. During our devotions the Sunday was where on to viiit his ftudio, he and received
we

which

everyone that and

no

with

fo

touching a iimplicity ;
made His
us

own

preacherhas
it
more.

underfland fried
a

virtue

better

love

words

he was his works, whether over heavenly brightnefs his picture, in which of the explaining Mary, Queen amidfb the angels, arts, lingsher everlafting Magnificat his or was making admirable homilies whilfr. explaining beautiful compolitions of the Sacraments and when : he humbly fhunned our heartyhomage, we afked God frilllonger and to give him to delayhis reward many

imitators.
Catholic France could
not

remain

to ftranger

the

de 1855 Expojttionuniverfelle

Beaux

Arts, par Claudius

Paris by the houfe
this and

Lavergne ; Paris,
of A. W. SchulBathil fchool.

Ve
a

Pouffielgue, page
The Rue

124.

Society
St.

of DufTeldorf

is

at reprefented

gen,

Sulpice,No.
an

25.

From

the
on

catalogueof
Chriftian
is
art

house, M.
German

Bouniol

has written

excellent
the

pamphlet
but

the
an

[In England, too,

which work
is not
a

Society of DufTeldorf
agency, alfo This John

by reprefented

eftablifhment,
in the
for

fimple

energetically co-operates
is
"

great
moting Pro-

of

the

German

aflbciation. Art"
of

The

Establishment

Christian

Mr.

Square, London,

W.

"

Translator's

Philp, 7, Note.]

Orchard

Street, Portman

308
RenahTance

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED
art, and ardent

IN

of Rome

Chriftian
found Orfel

Overbeck's

little

colony
French
out
a

at

artifts.

fympathy in fome was worthy to ftretch efpecially

him
;

brotherlyhand
noife and future has his the
to

to

for

he

too

was

there,

far from better and

favour, dreaming and

his country.
a

for

He

is

preparing a fcarcelydead,
upon tomb his will
art
an

glory
but of raife
one

placed
folid the

very will

brow;
be muft

example

tardy crown live,and his

of the
new

bafes

temple
There is

Creator

in

France.

eloquent inftrucldon in that laborious and diflnterefted efforts and in thofe perfevering in that life, progreffes, facrifice of his years and fortune, amidft an generous
age in. when There
talent
even

is

only prized by

what

it

brings

is

great example, too, in the

his.

which united Orfel with M. friendfhip whofe from felf, eulogy is infeparable brotherhood in gay France
;

touching his other Perrin,

The

holy
rare

fo

common

in be
our

Germany
worth artizans.
more

is very than

yet

it would of

the

Amongft us, Chriftian artifts would need to be united for ftruggling what we againftthe difficulties of their position ; and for our wifh moil affociation, country is a religious having

companionfhip

unity of action by inftrucliion. The State givesonly an incompleteartiftic education, which and encouragements lead young perfonsaftray life of our in the routine. In the midft of the grofs artizans,what can they learn who feel a vocation for of all culture, the fine arts ? Their intellect is deprived and their heart foon lofes all moral feeling. This is for fome to procedures in colouring pay dear indeed and drawing.
a

centre

and

310

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED

IN

longed
de Tart

to

the laft century

les Monuments

(1730-1814).
is very

His

Hijioire
for the

fur

remarkable

periodat which it appeared. We have always revolted fcorn for authors whofe againft knowledge the natural of fcience has outftripped. Why not, on the progrefs their memory ? Their merit ought contrary, honour be meafured to by fervices rendered; if our fortune is it a reafon for defpiling thofe has been increafed, Mull that young left it to us ? who not gentleman
be admired who
was

fmitten

with

mediaeval

art

in the XV's

midft

of the frivolities and

debaucheries

of Louis

throughout the bloody tune horrors of the French lifeand forRevolution, fpending in refearches and travels ? D'Agincourt ruined his work. himself in publifhing His plates are engraved as they then engraved ; but, in fpiteof their imperfections, an they prefent unique whole of monuments. declare that we As for ourfelves, we prefer D'Agincourt that fanatical antiquary, who never had to Winkelman, the true knowledge of art, and in his factitious enthureign,and
liafm exalted

purfued his

ftudies

himfelf
him
to

in

fuch

manner

that

it

was

for impoffible his

own

Italian medals.

fupportthe Iky and fcenery of He died whiLft returning to his country. of his paffion for collections, the victim
has

D'Agincourt
for perceptions

fome

very in which

remarkable

and

bold nized recogthe

the time

he lived. He
on

the influence fervice rendered He

of Catholicifm

the arts, and

them

by

popes

and V.
as

orders. religious the has

the reign of prefents

Nicholas
Leo X.

for thofe of Julius ftudied Beato

II. and

He

preparation particularly
Vatican,

Angelico

in the

chapel of

the

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

31 He is

and

renders

full

to juftice

our

painter.
was

perhaps

the firft who After

him praifed having faid that he adds

to
:

in France. he
"

diftinguimedin
Giovanni of

ature-paint mini-

Fra

Fiefole

mowed

himielf

able

execute

great
adorned

compolitions in
the church of that others, of Cofimo His de

and frefco, his

convent

in this
at

manner

he

Florence, and amongft many

he

of San Medici
are

Marco, which
called the admired

paintedby
this

order

Father
even

of his country. ferve

ings paintof the

the the

edification

of the

day, and Faithful,by the

at

always for

truthfulnefs

attitudes, by the
of

fweetnefs

and
account

livelinefs of

and particularly on expreffion, heads

of the beautiful character ing agree-

angelsand
thefe

faints. The fo well

noble

with
to

figures is
words,

ing rendered, that accordin

Vafari's This

non

pojfono efferealtrimenti
the author the merited

beauty earned for which he, moreover, Angelico,

cielo.
"

title of

for his virtues.

men

Pope
him

Nicholas about

V., who
him from

cherifhed the

of

talent,
of his

called

earliefl years

his private and chargedhim to paint chapel pontificate, in the palaceof the Vatican. The with which thefe frefcoes have been ability finifhed is truly prodigious: nothing is fweeter to the eye than the colouring of them ; little of deep chiar-ofcuro. Ihades, an harmonious Near, thefe pictures
"

have

all charms the

of

miniature the

at

diftance,

they produce,by
of
a
"

vigour of
not want

all the effects tints,

broad His

and

free

pencil.
correction. Neverhave

drawing
his from
a

does

thelefs

figures are
habit

fhort, which
contracted

might

pened hapof

in the

miniatures

312

BEATO

JN

ELICO

JUDGED

IN

of painting the contracted on obligation the the tranfverfe ftrip at borders, and on it where of the picturescalled the predella, bottom The ufual to treat was fubjectsand little ifioriette. of the air of attention and expreffion modeft attitudes, animate feem the perfonages,have to piety which fomething touching,for we fee there the imitation of

books,

or

from

the

nature.

In

theie works

there likewife

is another

very

able remarktion atten-

which peculiarity, of the artift

to

from fprings circumftances

the

give all the

of the

wife in and it is that the difpoiing, faithfully, fubjecl: gious it without this regard,mows uncertainty.The reliartift certainly of the expreffion owed the juftnefs the fenfe of his own the models and to to virtues, which drew his

pious brethren
to
more

dailyafforded
beauties

him

and

he

the talent for

feize thefe than

a

from

the

fchool,
could fchool

which,

century,

fought perfection by

No one attachingitfelf to the fimple truth." the great better judge and more highly praife of Giotto. The work
one

of M. of the in

Rio

on

Chriftian

in Italy, painting for the tion regenerathe that

has been of

happieftevents
and whilft and
our

art

France,
have love

here recalling the debt fuccefs of

eulogies which
has
to

welcomed
to

crowned
our

it,we
Our the

author. towards

directed

gratitude firft ftudies in art were wholly whilft antique; but afterwards,
pay
'

Let

us

be allowed Paulin

to

pay

homage
For

here

to

the memory
the

of

our

good
art

mafter in

and

friend,M.
his

Gue'rin. cursed of the

all who be
a

ftudy ferioufly

hiftoryof

France,

picture of by
a

Cain courfe

will

gloriousdate.
and

Diverted

from
an

his natural tion directo

method
in take

the

fchool Paulin

of David, Gue'rin

detained

by
the

interefted of

fecondary rank, M. Bible, our

efcaped from

ftudio the

Gerard,

in the

hiftory for all,a religious fubjecl outfide

antique

and

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

313 ages, the

the vifiting

monuments

of the and
us

middle

leries galour

of the catacombs
art bafilicas, appearedto

the mofaics

of the Roman with

knitted intimately its

true to

faith,and
work and how We ferved many have

we

fought to
Rio
to

know

The principles.
us

of M.

then

offered
us

itfelf
new

as

friend,
fervice ! it

guide
to

in
not

our

To impreflions. the fame

others
not

has it

rendered

praifeit, after
x

the

jufticedone

Montalembert de but cannot we ; by Comte help has not that M. Rio carried out the magregretting nificent plan,of which he has let us have a glimpfe. The beautiful fragments he has publifhed mow us that he has all the for doing qualifications it. To the

deep faith of a fervent Catholic,he unites the accomof the happier! and to very extenfive writer, plifhments joins a clearnefs of flatement,a knowledge of hiftory, of ftyle and a purity livelinefs of expreffion, a fobernefs
of

imagery, which
may Rio Rio
we

charm

at

once

the mind

and

heart. fuffice
art.

Why
for M. M.

not to

ftillhope ?

Some

years would

write the asfthetic Sum

a new

of Chriftian

us promifes

edition of the firftvolume that he foften his fevethat he

of his work.

We
to

are

defirous

rity in regard
carry that back of
to

the

Byzantine fchool, and

fchool his much lefs Chrftian

the

Siennefe
one

for predilection and lefs

Perugino,
our

in myftical,
and

Simone

than the fchools of Giotto opinion, We Memmi. hope alfo that he will give
all

mythology.
Paulin Guerin

This
did

pi6ture
not

was

admired

by

Europe.
are

In

his

laft years, conditions

of
men

M. for

enjoy

public favour, but glorious. joy

he had

there

fometimes the
crowns one

obtaining
to

it that

render know

oblivion
what

What

do

fignify
him

him

now

We

to

receive the

which

awaited

in heaven.
1

Aout Umverfitecatholique,

1837.

3 14 ftill

BEATO

ANGEL1C0

JUDGED

IN

more

artiftic merit Beato

paintertoo
muft be
now

glorious place to Beato Angelico,whofe he does not perhaps fufficiently ciate. apprehe is a great Angelico is not only a faint, with the faults he reproaches him and
attributed fine
to

his brother

Fra

Benedetto. M. Rio
on

Here
our
"

is the

encomium

paffedby
in the

painter.
A very remarkable is artift, fact of hiftory the influence he exercifed when
over

this incomparab his

who lived in an age Vafari, biographer for myfticalpaintings was very much in who, nevertheless, his
account

enthufiafm

enfeebled,and
thofe of Beato all the
accent

of

feems to have Angelico, of his time, prejudices of

been
to

difengagedfrom with the celebrate,

and

admiration,

the

moft

fenfible the the gone

fublime

virtues marvels his

mentary mo-

embellifhing his foul, and ifTuingfrom his pencil. In converiion, he has

fo

numberlefs fervour
as

of
as

far

to

that fay,

talent as Beato a fuperiorand fo extraordinary ance Angelico'scan and muft have been only the inheritof the higheftfanctity, and that,to fucceed well in the reprefentation of religious and holy subjects, the artift muft and holy himfelf. be religious This which Vafari pays fo fine a to fuperiority, in the perfection does not tribute, neverthelefs, confift, of the drawing,nor in the relief of the figures, in or the truthfulnefs of the details : pictorial order is never maintained by a clever diftribution of fhades and in the frefcoes of MafTaccio what muft as lights, ; and
"

appear

ftill more

offenfive the

to

certain and

the obfervers, fufficient weakened in in

life the the

superabounding in
upper

heads

parts of

the

body,

becomes

ITALY*

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

315
the need ftiffnefs be
to

lower of

members,

fo

far

as

to

artificial
to

fupports.
can

But

give them they muft

a

very which

inacceffible Chriftian
to art

all the mofl

delicate emotions in foul

give rife
this

properlyprepared,

take

up

minutely all

the technical

the

productions of
in the

which, beiides,are
of execution

in imperfections trulydivine pencil, imperfections far lefs of inability matter a of his indifference aim of for his

than artift, the

everythingforeignto pious imagination. Compunction of

"

tranfcendental

heart, ejaculationsto
of exalted emotions htft

God,

ecftatic

rapture, foretafte
of

heavenly beatitude, all

which
no

that order artift

can

profound and
without

proved them, the myfterious as were cyclethrough which the genius of Beato Angelico was pleafedto travel,and when he had finilhed it he began it again with the fame love. have exhaufted all combinations In this kind, he feems to
the quato lhadings,at leaft relatively lity if we fo little and quantityof expreflion ever ; and where examine certain picturesclofely, a fatiguing feems to reign,we ihall difcover a prodigious monotony embracing all the degreesof poetry which variety and the human phyiiognomy. It is particularly exprefs in the Crowning of the BlefTed Virgin amidft angels the heavenly hierarchy,in the reprefentation and of the elect, the Laft Judgment at leaft in what concerns the higheftlimits of all the art and in that of Paradife, fo perfectly of imitation : it is in thefe myftical fubjects in harmony with the vague but infallible forelight of with profufion that he has difplayed the inexfoul, our riches of his imagination. We hauftible fay of may
can

render

having

316 him,
that

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED

IN

was painting

fet-form What
art
ous

for acts of Count

one

nothing elfe but his favourite faith, hope and charity."

!

de Montalembert of his leaft titles to of

has done

for Chriftian The illuftriferve of his

is

not

glory.
France

defender
as

religious libertyin
as

muft

beauty
talent. which and

well

truth

with

all the is

power
a

His has

de Hijioire

S. Elizabeth
art

mafterpiece

caufed loved have

mediaeval than the

to

be better underftood

more

moft In fo has

learned

archaeological
his dear Saint

differtations live Count

done. pages

making

again
de

in thofe

full of poetry and

piety,
a

Montalembert

given to

artifts

fweet the S.
;

who acrofs the lead them patronefs may into the prefence of God pari,even

fields of Himfelf.

Elizabeth
has armed

has well him

no

rewarded
a

her

noble

hiftorian

fhe

as
one

chevalier has

for the defence

of Christian

over

and their

the brilliant victories forgotten vandalifm brought back by him at the tribune To in the prefs. him, how many monuments owe art, and truths the has their beloved ! glorification

and prefervation, Beato Angelico is Montalembert. He

de

of Count painter placed him again in his Rio's

rank, in his examination

devoted
a

of M.

work, and he has

article to him in the introduction to fpecial of the Hijioire the monuments We de S. Elizabeth. he has given have alreadyquoted the fine defcription of the Fine in the Academy of the Laft Judgment be allowed to give againfome Arts at Florence ; let us pages of the moft of the Count de Montalembert
crown
we :

it will be offer
to

the the

laft and memory

beautiful

can we

whofe painter
1

Life

have

written.

De

l* Art

vol. I.,p. 191. chretien,

31 8

BEATO

ANGELICO

JUDGED

IN

of the Catholic fchool of Florence (Fra Giovanni painter furnamed the Angelic,and in Angelico da Fiefole), found in Italycommonly called II Beato, is fcarcely art on treating during the laft three any of the works centuries. But we be aftonifhed cannot nor complain has reached of it. His glorywho the ideal of Chriftian
art

deferves artifts

not
as

be

confounded

with

that

decreed

to

fuch

Giulio

Romano,
:

Dominichino,
it
was

the

Carracci,and
for him
to

others

of that clafs

much be after

better

be

than forgotten totally A fhort time

to

the fame

line with them.

placed in his death,

of Chriftian all branches paganism broke in upon of abfolute : in by the eftabliihment politics, fociety monarchies by the exclufive ftudy of the ; in literature, claffical authors ; in art, by the cultivation of mythology, of nudity, and of the naturalifm characterizing become the epoch of the RenahTance. Having rapidly

conqueror
and

and

mafter, it took

care

to

difcredit

men

things that bore the ineffable impreflionof Chriftian genius. Beato Angelico had the honour of in the profcription, which being mixed enveloped up
at
once

the focial conftitutions

of

the middle

ages

and

pious and chivalrous poetry that had fo long the art fo gloriouily charmed and Europe, and laftly and traditions of the by the myfteries happilyinfpired
the Catholic faith. That
was

all declared

barbarous, and
and

of deferring with

oblivion of the

and

contempt

the decree and

mafters, they have

three centuries.

conformably been forgotten

that the

for defpifed

Now

human

at mind, arrived, perhaps,

the limits of its feems

to

long
look
we

wanderings, ftopsuncertain,and
of envy and admiration towards

caft

Catholic

ages,

ITALY,

GERMANY

AND

FRANCE.

319

begin

again
the

the fet-off

ftudy
of

of that

the

art,

which
and the

was

fo

pletely com-

epoch, degrees,

the

beatified

painter
him

has

refumed,

by
of in and

place

affigned
Still enthuof his fee

by

the unknown

judgment

his he

contemporaries.
is admired with of

ftrangely
naim

Italy,

in

Germany
becomes counted

France, accuftomed,

poflefled
in its

one

mafterpieces,
him

turn,

to

always May
our

amongft
too,

the have Beato

great
contributed Fra !

matters."

efforts,
and model of

to

make of

known,

loved the

imitated Chriftian

Angelico

Fiefole,

artifts

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO

DA

FIESOLE.

have

not

neglected anything for making

as

this

catalogueas complete
other and pictures

poffible.Still if
Beato made

any

drawings by they
may

Angelico
known

exift, we
to
us.

beg

that

be

All communications medium of

will reach Publifher.

us

fafely

through the
We have followed
a

our

order, fo geographical
when
we

as

to

render

this

catalogue
have

convenient added of fome

for travellers ; and

notes
on

have

deemed

it ufeful,we and

the execution, have

to

dimenfions prefervation, thofe

; and

hiftory
to

each
to

picture.

We

pointed out
Benedetto

which, it feems
marked

us,

ought
we

be attributed
not

Fra
to

have

(?) fuch

as

have

feen,or
have them. but

are,

us,

of dubious who

authenticity.
have

we Laftly,

indicated Thefe Beato

authors

fpoken

of

them, and
fome idea
to

engravingsof
of the

engravingsmay Angelico
have is
an

certainly give
untranflatable

pictures ;

: painter

render

to him, it is necefTary

his foul and

the flexible and

fine

graver

of Lucas

van

Leyden.

PERUGIA.
Church Madonna

of

S. Domenico.

"

Chapel of Jefus.
On

S.

Orfola.
fhutters acceflbry
:

I.
"

i.

with

the Child S. Catherine

the

2.

S.

and John Baptift,

Virgin and Martyr.

Y

322
3. S. Dominic
chese,
t.

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

and

S. Nicholas

of

Bari.

"

See

page

56. V.

Mar-

1, p. 214.

Sacrijiy of
II.
"

the Convent. ferved frame in

for the

Twelve

fmall The

which pictures,

as

ing precedother

pidture.
four
1.

firfteight are

twelve

inches

height ;

the

inches. only eight S. Peter 5. S.

8.
10.

Martyr.
Catherine

2.

S.

Jerome.
Sienna,

3. S. Benedict.

4. A

Bifhop-

faint.

Mary Magdalen.
S.
S.

6. S. Thomas
or

Aquinas.
BlefTed

7. S. Lawrence 9. S. Peter

Martyr. Apoftle.
A

of

Villana. S. Paul

Agatha holding the pincers. 11.

compartment
The of the other the

Apoftle. 12.
the

Prophet.
of

13. A

gradinowhich
are

the reprefented

legend
Vatican.

S. Nicholas. 14. The

as

two

in the
two
"

Gallery of

B.
a

Virgin and
crown

angelGabriel,in
dei Guidalotti. in of 1437
; to
was

which panels

probably ferved
was

for the fame S. Niccolo Florence invafion the

This altarpiece. Padre

altarpiece
Bottonio older.
to

made

for the it
was

chapelof
at

faysthat
At

executed of the

us, it feems

the

time

French
at

it Italy,

carried away

Paris,but it

was

reflored

general peace.

CORTONA Church
III.

of

S. Domenico Madonna

"

At

the entrance-door

of the facade, in the tympan, S. Dominic

and the Child A mural

with a globe, Jefus holding On

and S. Peter

Martyr.

painting damaged.
the fecond later than Feb.
1

the arch, the four

better Evangelifts thinks that

a

preferved.In
this

edition of his work, Padre the date he

at

Marchefe

paintingis

becaufe firft affigned to it,

to

bull of

EugeniusIV.,
at

3th,1438, grants
commute

the
vows

of prior of

the

convent

of S. Domenico of

Cortona

to faculty

and pilgrimages

holy images (del far dipingere facreimmagini) into alms for the conftrucliion and of his church et fabbrica). building (pro conjiruclione
Thefe
page

words 60.
"

may

be

appliedto
t.

the

completion of
the
a highaltar,

the church.

"

See

V.
In

Marchese,
on

1, p. 218.

IV. Child

the church,

the

of right

Madonna S.

and

the and

furrounded Jefus

with

angels.

In

the compartments,

John

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

323
of

S.

Mary Magdalen.
two

This

is picture
on

in the form

In the

acceflbry compartments, Jefuson

each

the

pointedtriptich. S. John and S. Mary right,

a

and Magdalen,S. John Baptift

in the centre,

S. Mark.

In the the B. the

angleof

the S.

crowning,
Evan-

the Crofs with B.

Virginand
of angel

John

gelift ; and

on

the fide,

Virginand
the

the Annunciation.

In

the church

of

Gefu,near
It formed

the Cathedral. the

to gradino

V.

"

Legend
Vifion 3. of

of S. Dominic.

the

preceding
and S. of

picture.
1.

pope

Innocent

III.

2.

Kifs

of

S. Dominic

Francis. the young

Apparitionof
in the

S. Peter

and

S. Paul.

4. Refurrection 6. The

Napoleon.
are fubjects

5. Ordeal

of the book.

ferving angels
Peter

the Dominicans Thefe

refectory.7. Death of S. Dominic. framed and feparated S. : by four figures

Vincent Deacon and

Martyr,
VI. Adam

S. Michael, S.

Martyr,

S.

Thomas

Aquinas.
"

Great and
Eve

Annunciation. driven
p.
222.

In

corner

of the

are compofition,

feen V.

out

of

the

earthlyparadife. Page 63.

"

Marchese,
VII.
"

t. 1,

Legend

of the B.

Virgin. Marriageof Magi.

5. his Order the B.

Gradino
1.

of the

: preceding picture

Birth of the B. 4. B. Adoration

Virgin.
of

2.

Virgin.

3. Vifita6. Burial.

tion. 7. The Orleans.

the

Prefentation.
to

Virgingivesthe

habit of

Blefied

Reginald of

FIESOLE. Church VIII. with and

in

of

S. Domenko.

"

Behind

the

the high altar,

Madonna

on

throne

furrounded

and angels S. Peter

faints : S. Peter

S. Thomas Apoftle, reflored

S. Dominic Aquinas,

was Martyr. (This picture

by

Lorenzo

di Credi

1501.)

At

the bottom, is Lord

t. 1,

copy

of the

our reprefenting

triumphantamidft

Rome at gradinoactually and faints. Page JJ. angels

"

V.

Marchese,
IX.
"

p. 228.

now refectory, privateproperty, our Lord on the A mural Crofs, accompaniedby the B. Virginand S. John Evangelift.

In

the

old

damaged. painting
Y 2

324
X. In
a

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

"

the

old

and hofpice, ftrangers' B.

now

at

the

top of
the Child

flair-

cafe in

the dwelling, neighbouring S. Dominic and

Virgin and

Jefus,

accompanied by
appears retouched

S. Thomas

Aquinas.

This

painting

by

Lorenzo

di Credi.

Church

of

S. Geronimo.

XI. which

"

The may

B. have

Virgin,S. Jerome
been

and

other

faints

(?).

painting

by

Fra

Benedetto.

Reftored.

FLORENCE. Convent The the

at paintings

of

S. Marco. Marco have

del

the

convent

of San

been Padri

publifhedin
Pr"dicatori;

fine work,

S. Marco, entitled, The

text

Convento

Firenze, 1852.
Beato

is Padre

Marchefe's, and
the
convent.

includes the Life of

were engravings

Angelicoand by
In the

the

of hiftory

The

executed Perfetti.

Artiftic
are

Society,under
work is

the beft be

direction

of

Profeffor Beato

They
for

the unqueftionably
to

engravingsafter
at

Angelico.
Eftablifhment
Portman

England,this Promoting

had

Mr.

John Philp's
Street,

Chriftian

Fine

Arts, 7, Orchard

Square,W.
S. Marco's,
we

In

the pictures at indicating

follow number

the order of the

of

our

text, ch.

xi.,p. 204

; we

will

give only the

engraved

plate.
In the nrft XII.
"

called cloifter, Lord

on

the cloifter of S. Antoninus S. Dominic

at

Our
"

the Crofs and of the of the

his feet.

PI. xxxvii. PI. ii. Book

XIII. XIV.

Above Above and the

a

the door the door

S. Peter Martyr. facrifty,

S. chapter,

"

Dominic

holdingthe

of the Rule XV. XVI.

"

difcipline.
the of
a right,

At
"

end, going to
the
two

Pieta.

PI. iii. Lord

as a

Above

door

the

our ftrangers' hofpice,

received by pilgrim XVII. XVIII. fix inches guarantee

"

PI. Friar-preachers. Thomas A

xxxii. much

Same
"

S. fide,

Aquinas. Very
great mural
in It

injured.
do Lord

Chapter-room.
in breadth the exa"nefs the B. of

feet twenty-fix painting,

by twenty-threefeet
thefe

height. (We
our reprefents

not
on

numbers.)
founders

the Crofs, with

the Virgin,

of orders,and

the

protectors

326
XXXIX." XL. XLI.
"

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

The Noli
me

Holy
t anger e.
on

Women

at

the Tomb.

PL

xxx.

PI. xxxi.

"

Our and

Lord S.

the

Crofs,furrounded
PI. iv.

by

the B.

S. John, Virgin,

S. Dominic XLII. been

"

Jerome.
of

Crowning
Madonna

the B.

Virgin.
Son, with

PI. xxxiii.

This

has painting

publifhed by Curmer,
"

after M. her

Henri

de Laborde. S.

XLIII.

and

Auguftineand

S. Thomas

Aquinas.
XLIV.
"

On

the

wall

of

the

corridor, Madonna,
and S. Dominic, and many
cannot

having
and
on

on

her

S. Mark, right,

SS. Cofmas

and Damian

her left, In

S. Paul, S. Thomas the cells

Aquinas, S.
the Beato

Lawrence

S. Peter

Martyr.

occupied by
The

ftudents,are
but Angelico,

which Crucifixions, be attributed choir-books have

to

of approach the ftyle

him.

XLV.

"

convent

of S. Marco his

the pofTeffes

executed

by
him

Fra

Benedetto

; and

Beato Angelico,may brother,

we
are

painted
to

fome

of the miniatures,but with

do the of

not

know

what

may

be attributed

certainty.Thefe
A. 3. S.
I.

of principal fubjecls S. Peter.

2.

his miniatures. of S.

Volume

Vocation

Martyrdom

Stephen.

John Evangelift. 4.
of S. Paul. of the Chri ft
7.

MafTacre

of the Innocents.

5. S.

Agnes, engravedpi.vi.
6. Converfion Prefentation.
10.

8. Annunciation.
our

9.
to
a

Jefusin the midft

female 13. faint.
II.

apoftles.

Apparitionof
12.

Lord
a

blefTing martyrs.

Chrift before

bifhop.

engravedpi.viii. Virginsfinging,
Our Lord B.
on

14.

the

Crofs,perhapsby Beato Aflgelico

.

Volume three
crowns.

15. 17.

Annunciation. S. Peter 19.

16.

S. Peter
18.

Martyr receiving
S.

opening Heaven.

Mary Magdalen
from
22.

carried

to

Heaven.
20.

S. Dominic
21.

his receiving

mimon

SS. S.

Peter and Paul. Michael. 23.

Affumption.
24. the head

Birth of the B. the midft

a

Virgin.
Chrift
28.

All-Saints. hand
upon

in Jefus of
a

of the 26.

apoftles.25. bleffing Virgin

his Jefus putting

two

martyr.
to
a

martyrs.

27.

Chrift

back giving

crofs

bifhop.
An

finging. 29.
Volume G.

Chrift 30.
A

bleffing engravedpi.vii. virgins,

faint

readingin

garden.

31.

ing angelhold-

three flowers.

Antipb.A.
V.

32.
t.

Chrift

a carrying

book.

33.

Nativity. Page

272.

Marchese,
The

1, p.

164. Angelicoin
the of S. Marco, refedlory has

painting by

Beato

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

327
It would

been
feem

others deftroyed, that fome

are

have

been

covered

with

white

warn.

to

be reftored.

Academy of
XLVI. from
"

Fine

Arts

Galleryof largepiclures.
14 in the

Defcent the

from

the

Crofs, No.

catalogue.

ture pic-

of facrifty

Santa
;

Trinita, Florence, cited by Vafari.

feet

Height, five
160. V.

feet five inches

t.

breadth,fix
p. 273.

eightinches.
been

See

page

Marchese,

1,

This

has pidture

engraved
Beato

in the Convent

of S. Marco, The frame

pi.xxvii.
of fixteen fmall

XLVII.

"

is formed

picturesby
the rod

Angelico.
On
2.

the

left of the

: fpe"ator

S. Benedict
a

with 4.

of his rule.

S.Lawrence.

3. Head

with

capuce

(? )

S.
8.

John Baptift. 5.
S. Michael. 3. A ing faint hold7. S.
graved en-

S. Bernardine.
On
a

6. S. Andrew. S.

7. S. Francis.
2.

the ftafF

right: 1.
(?).
8.

Jerome. Stephen.

S.

Auguftine(?).
Six of thefe

4. S.

5. S. Dominic.

6. S. Paul. have figures

Peter

Martyr.

S. Peter

Apoftle.
M.
;

been
e

in the fine accademia

of publication

Perfetti,Galleria

delP i.

Reale and

delle Belle Arti

di Firenze

1847

thefe are, S. Andrew and S. Bernardine.

me

S. Paul, S. Michael The reclion Monaco. three and

and

S. Peter, S. Dominic the

of pictures the

Crowning, the
at

Noli
are

tangerey the Refurto

Holy

Women

the Tomb,

attributed

Lorenzo

Galleryof fmall piclures.

XLVIII.
"

Life of

our

Lord.

This

great

poem,

ordered

by

Cofimo

de Medici, is divided We
cannot

into
account
a

eightpanels and
how the thefe

thirty-five compartments. arranged,when

The
La in

give an
part of
has

panels were
Giov.
da

they formed
of di
our

in prefs

chapelof
Giovanni
not

the Nunciata.

Life Vita folio ;

Lord

been

engravedby entirely
Fra
are engravings

Bat. Nocchi,

Gefu Crifto,dipintada
Thefe
on

Fiefole, engr.

Florence, 1843.
as

without

merit, particularly
are

they are

executed Beato

chalks of the

They originals. by
a

precededby by preface
thofe which

the Life of P. Tanzini. We

we

Angelicoby Vafari, and

the executed

remarkable

go
not

on

to

enumerate
were

whilft pointing out fubjedls,

do

think

by

Beato

Angelico.

3^8
i. 2.

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

The The

Vifion

of Ezechiel.

Annunciation.

3. The 4. The 5. The

Nativity.
Circumcifion.
Adoration of the

Magi. Temple.

6. The
7. The
8.

Prefentation

in the

into Egypt. Flight Maffacre of the Innocents. Doctors.

our

The

9.
10.
1 1 12.

Jefus amongft the

The The

Baptifm of Marriage at

Lord.

Cana.

The

Transfiguration.
united together in fubjecis
one

Thefe
to
me

lafl three be

do panel,
are

not

appear

to

paintedeven
Refurrection

by

Fra

Benedetto,fo feeble

they in

ftyle

and

execution. 13. 14. The The of Lazarus.

(Fra Benedetto.)

triumphal Entry into Jerufalem. (FraBenedetto.) Bargainof Judas.

Laft

15. The
16. 17.
18.

The The The The The

Supper. (FraBenedetto.)
of the feet. Fra Benedetto

Warning
Eucharift.

(?).

(FraBenedetto.)
the Garden of Olives. Fra Benedetto

19.
20. 21. 22.

Prayer in
Kifs of of
our

Judas.
Lord.

(?).

Arreft
Our

Lord

mocked.

23. 24. 25.

Chrift before Pilate.

The

Scourging.
Crofs. his garments.

his carrying Jefus of ftripped Jefus

on Jefus

26.
27. 28. 29. 30. 3
1
.

the Crofs.

Burial.

(Fra Benedetto.)
into Hell. Women

Defcent
The The

(Fra Benedetto.)
at

Holy

the Tomb.

Fra Benedetto

(?)

Afcenfion.

(FraBenedetto.)
of Saints.

32. 33. 34. 35.

Pentecoft. The The The

Communion
Law Laft of Love.

(FraBenedetto.)

Judgment.

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

32,9
in the

Numbers
Galleria

1,

5, 7,
e

3-1 5-1 9,

24-28,
delle Belle

have Arte.

been

engraved
works

delP i.

reale accademia

The

Galleryof fmall paintingsalio

Burial for the See page of

contains

other

by

Beato

Angelico.
XLIX.
was our

Lord, No.

in

the

catalogue. This Temple.

for the

picture
Cited

made
"

of the Crofs confraternity

of the
1, p.

by

Vafari. L. the

165.

V.

Marchese,

t.

239.

The

Laft
at

Judgment.
Florence.
Fra

(No. 18.)
The
upper

Executed part is

monaftery of
the Angelico,
page

Angels
part

by
"

Beato See

lower

by
t.

Benedetto.

Cited

by Vafari.

150.

V.

Marchese,
The

1, p. 279.

upper

part has been PI. xxxvi. the lower

not

in engravedin outline,

Rofini's

work,

Storia

della Pittura. A
at

fragmentof
;

fide 'part,
on

of the elect, has been

lithographed
and

Florence LI.
"

but this is

fale.

Two
22

fragments of (?).
in
two

the

legend of
Pieta and

SS.

Cofmas

Damian.

Nos.

13,
"

LII.

Picture

parts.

Adoration

of

the

Magi

(No. 27.)
LIII." Madonna and the Child

Jefus. Above,

the

Holy Trinity.

(No. 31.)
LIV. LV.
" "

S. Thomas Albert
two

theology. (No. 46.) Aquinas teaching

the teaching natural fciences.
convent

the Great

(No. 53.) Marco,

may be

Thefe

wainfcot

from panels,

the

of S. Benedetto. of the

copiesof
LVI.
"

Beato

or by paintings Angelico,

Fra

Crucifixion.
Beato

(No. 47.) Crowning

and

B.

Virgin. (No.

54.)

After
"

Angelico(?).
of SS. Cofmas Damian.

LVII. A the

The

Legend
the
at

(No. 51.)
cloifter of The faints

gradino of
Annunciation
2.

altar of the Florence. and 4.

chapel of
Six before

S. Luca, in the

fubjedls. 1.
the

refufing
two

money.

SS. Cofmas

Damian
are
a

judge.
without

3. The

faints call into the fea. flames. rebound 5.

on

They
on

condemned, crofs, the

are

avail,to the
at

They

are

fattened

arrows

aimed

them

the executioners.

6.

They

beheaded.

Room. Expofition LVIII. Madonna with the Child

"

Jefus,between

two

angels.

330 (No. 13.)

on

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

On

one

fide,S.

Peter

Martyr, SS.
S.

Cofmas

and

Damian;

the other, S. Francis, S. The

not gradino,

Anthony,

Auguftine(?).
S. Dominic, This Peter

fo well

a preferred, Pieta, reprefents

S. Peter, S. Paul, S. Bernardine, S.

came pifture

Benedict, S.

Martyr.
the

from

the

convent

called il

Bofcoa Fratri, in
with

province

of

Mugello.
LIX.
"

Madonna

with and

the Child Damian

Jefusfurrounded
the
on

angels. (No.
On

16.)
S.

SS. Cofmas

kneelingbefore Martyr ;

throne. the

the

left,S. Dominic,

S. Francis, S. Peter S.

S. Mark, right,

and John Evangelift, This

came picture

Stephen.
the church
t.

from

of S. Marco. 247.

Cited

by Vafari.

"

See p. 166. LX.

"

V.

Marchese,
with S. the

1, p.

Madonna and

Child

S. Dominic, Jefus, S. Lawrence. Annalena

at

S. Francis, SS.

Cofmas This

Damian,

and John Evangelift the

came picture

from

monafteryof

Florence.

Galleryat Florence, called degliVffizi.

LXI. 1433, the
"

Corridor

on

with entering. Altarpiece

mutters,

executed, in

for the Guild of the On

of

Joiners.

Madonna

holdingthe

Child

Jefus.
S. Mark

In

breadth

frame, twelve
the
mutters,

of angelsplayingon figures

various
;

inftruments.

and S. John Baptift infide, Cited

outfide,S. Peter and S. Mark. Marchese,

t.

by

Vafari.

"

See

page

167.

V.

1, p. 235.

Catalogueof Height,four
LXII.
"

the feet

1 8th. edit., Gallery, page

55. feet
one

ten

inches

breadth, two

inch.
: fubje"s

Gradino

of the
;

in preceding picture, S. Peter ;

three

tion Adora-

of the LXIII. This Florence. in

t.
"

Magi

Preachingof
"

Martyrdom
Domenico

of S. Mark.

fchool. Crowning Tufcan

has picture
copy,

of the B.

Virgin.
Choflione, at
at

beautiful
A

been

engravedby
See

good

by

Antoine

SafTo,was
page

brought out 169.

V.

Paris

1855.
1, p. 237.

(Catalogue, page Nativityof

S.

234.)
"

Marchese,

LXIV."
LX

John Baptift. Virgin. Engraved

in outline, in Rofini's

V.

"

Marriage of
del Pitt. Death

the B.

work,

Storia

PI. xxxiii.

LXVI." In

of the B. of

Virgin.
the fame
are gallery,

the collection

in drawings, original

the

WORKS

OF

BEATO

JNGELICO.

$$

following drawingsattributed
P-

to

Beato

Angelico. (V. Marchese,

The four and evangelifls

t.

278.)
LXVII.
"

ill drawer. On

2nd
a

Cartoon. fheet of
a

two

doctors

of the church.
"

parchment. holdinga
wand. book in his left hand.

LXVIII. On

of demi-figure

faint

parchment.
LXIX.
"

Figure of Virgin.
Two On S. Dominic

man

a breaking

Study for
On

the

Marriage

ofthe LXX.

B.
"

paper

tinted red. other

with difputing fide

perfons.
A warned three

like paper.

LXXI. in

"

feated figures paper, feated with

by

fide. and

religious Handing and

(? )
of religious the fame

profile.White
LXXII.
"

the pen

Monk

with difputing

order

( ? ).
"

LXXII1. paper,
In

B.

Virgin with
and
: following

the Child

Jefusupon

her

knees.

White

with the

the pen

warned

(? ).
in Jefus and with

cartoon
"

LXXIV. and

B.

Virgin and

the Child with

glory fupported by angels

warned. rofes.

feraphim. Parchment,
LXXV.
"

the pen

An
At

crowned angel flying the bottom of the

Study

for

Laft
are

Judgment.
feen
with

meet,

in the

right-hand corner,
devils. White

marked lightly the pen and

out, the gate of hell and

fome

paper,

warned.

Pitti

Gallery.
with

Hall

of

No. Juftice,

399. her

LXXVI. Dominic

"

Madonna
S.

the

Child the
:

Jefus, having
S. left, Peter

on

rightS.

and

on John Baptift,

and

S. Thomas.
;

In the upper the

of angles and

the frame

Chrift of S.

bleffmg ;
Peter of

the Annunciation Verona.

Preaching (?).

Martyrdom

By

Fra

Benedetto

Santa

Maria

Novella.

Sacrijly.Three
"

reliquaries. Jefus.At
other the top, the

LXX
our

VII.

"

Madonna

the Handing,carrying

Child

Lord

a crown letting

fall upon
at

the head

of his mother.
two

Around

frame, eightangelsadoring;
and

the bottom, the

angels feated
:

playing the
S. Peter

organ.

On and

three pedeftal,

medallions

S.

Dominic,

Martyr

S. Thomas

Aquinas.

332
LXXVIII.
two

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

"

The

Annunciation, and
the S. Bleffed pedeftal,

the

Adoration

of

the
;

Magi, in
S.

pictures.On
;

Catherine

of Sienna the
;

ApolS-

lonia

S.

Margaret ;

Lucy
;

S.

Mary Magdalen ;
;

Holy Virgin; Dorothy

;

S. Catherine Urfula. LXXIX.

"

of Alexandria

S.

Agnes

S. Cecilia

S.

Crowning
part
:

of the B.

Virgin. (Fra Benedetto.)

fmall V.

In the lower others

The
"

Nativity.Four Seepage
been 175.

angels dancingand
t.

two

playingthe timbrel.
three five

Marchese,

i,p. 270.

Thefe

have reliquaries folio by plates

publifhedby Luigi Bardi, and

;

engravedin

R. Redetti

Florence, 1854.

Abbey of
LXXX. filence
"

Florence.

On

an

arch

of

the

S. cloifter,

Benedict

recommending

injured. (?). Painting

Collection

of

the

Brothers

Metzger.

LXXXI.

"

S. Thomas

cord (?). the angelic Aquinas receiving

Galleryof
LXXXII.
LXXXIII.
"

F.

Lombard!

and

V.

Baldi.

Martyrdom
"

of SS. Cofmas of the

and

Damian.

Well

preferved.

Adoration

Magi.

Injured(?).

ROME.

Vatican.

"

Chapel of
the of

Nicholas

V.

This

chapelis attached
our

to

apartments
It Hands into

of

Mgr.
on

de

Merode,

who

kindly facilitated
the

ftudy

it.
entrance

the is in

fecond the

of ftory left-hand feet

and palace, pontifical the antechamber in it has

the

it

angleof
ten

of Conftantine's thirteen times weft feet

hall.

It is twenty-one inches in

inches

length, by
been many

eight

breadth.

Although
ftill very The

of it is reftored, the prefervation has fuffered off

on

The fatisfaftory.

wall

mod
:

from
an

damp.
V. has
1

part neareft the altar has

Italians fucceed
to
a

been marvel. Rome

taken The

canvas

operation

in which been

chapelof
D

Nicholas

at engravedand publifhed

in 1 8 (Calcographie pontificate)

o,

folio. by Francefco Giangiacomo,fix plates

has 'Agincourt

alfo

given

334
3. Picture above

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

the the

two

precedingones.
of the very

It is divided the What

into

two

: Jefus in fubje"s

midft

doctors,and

Transfiguration.
does this
nection con-

The

of figure

Chrift is

but fine,

youthful.

? fignify

Dogmatic
"

and theology

? myftical theology

CorfiniGallery.
XC. XCL" XCII. Thefe
" "

Seventh

room,

Nos.

22,

23, 24.

Pentecoft. The Laft

reftored. picture

Afcenfion.

Judgment.
from

In fine
a

prefervation.
the

came pictures

chapelin

neighbourhoodof Florence,
155.

to belonging

the

familyof

Corfini.

See page

Valentini

(? ). Gallery
the of picture S. Dominic
at

XCIII. Fiefole.

"

Fragment
yj.

of

the

gradinoof

See page

of Gallery
No. XCIV. The
two
as

Count

Guido

di

Bifenzio.

44

in

the

catalogue (?).
with and angels Maria
not

"

Madonna

furrounded the church Beato

to

faints. cited

in pictures

of Santa

fopraMinerva,
him. The the Annunciation

by

Vafari

beingby (?).

are Angelico,

by

Triumph
to

of S. Thomas Benozzo Count

at

is attributed

Filippino Lippi,and
two

Gozzoli

de Montalembert
one

cites

other

by pictures

Beato

Angelico
of

Rome,

in the church Maddalena

of Santa

the other in the church Cecilia,

Santa

Maria

(?).
NAPLES.

Bourbon

Mufeum.
di

Two under

attributed pictures the Nos. The

to

Tommafo

Stefanno, and

catalogued Virgin; Lady

261.
at

296, 298.
the firft(296)reprefents

XCV."
on

AfTumption of

the B.

wood, and ground of gold.

XCVI.
"

The

fecond

Nives,

or

the foundation

of our the Miracle (298) reprefents of Santa Maria Maggiore. See page

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

$3$

ORVIETO.

Chapel of
Great XCV.II. finifhed The mural
"

the

BleffedVirgin.

on painting,

goldground.
for prophets, the Laft

Chrift Luca

and

choir of

Judgment

by

Signorelli.
Chrift Storia 299. and of Mofes have PI. been
"

of figures in
t.

engraved by
See page 260.

Ales. V.

Mochetti,
Marchese,

the
1, p.

del Duomo.

xxxn.

MONTEFALCO.

Church XCVIII. which A

of

the

Fathers. Francifcan

"

Crowning
be

of the B.
to

Virgin. A gradinoof
Beato and Angelico,
or

five

pictures, Marquis painter.

Profeflbr Rofini believes

to

attributes

which other

Selvatico

by

Benozzo

Gozzoli,

by

fome

TURIN.

Royal Mufeum.
XCIX.
"

Two

of angels.From figures

the

collection of the Brothers

Metzger of
C.
"

Florence. and the Child

Madonna

Jefus.

Sold

by

Achille

Sandrini.

BRESCIA.

Church CI."
in two This

of

S.

Alejandro.
natural

-An

Annunciation.

Figuresof by
Beato

fize, paintedon

wood

panels.
was picture

executed found order

Angelicoin
of the
convent

1432,

as

curious

document
at

proves,

in the chronicle of

of S. AlefTandro archives This of the is the

Brefcia,of the

Servites, taken
Paolo

from

the

monafteryby

Maeftro

Fra

Giovanni

Villa, in 1630.
for the

document, which
1.

relates all the expences

Item

incurred

picture. quale

1432.

"

la tavola della Nunziata ducatti

nove.

fatta in Fiorenza, la

fra Giovanni, depinfe

336
Item ducatti

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

ij fono

per

oro

per

detta

tavola, quali hebbe

taola. col Prior

Fra

Giovanni
1444.

de' Predicatori Gennaro.

da Fiefole per
per
a

la dipingere
et

Spefa fatta

me

frate GiofefTe per la Nonziata. la Nonziata

di

San-Salvatore

quando andaflimo
per

Vicenza

Febbraio, primo
a

fatte in fpeffe

far portar

da Vicenza

Brefcia. Item

foldi 19. L. iii, alii maeftri, che fecero la bradella della

per parte di pagamento

Nonziata. Marzo. Nonziata. See V. Item per

alquantetaole
vol. 1, pp.

per

far la cafla deirancona

della

L. i., foldi 2."

Marchese,

284,

401.

PARIS.

Mufeum of
Italian No. Schools, 214 in

the Louvre. of catalogue M. Frederic

the excellent

confervator Villot, CII. The

of the

paintings. Virgin. Height,feven

fmall inches feet ; breadth,

Crowning
inches.

of the B.

fix feet eleven CI1I. inches

1. 2.

The

gradinoincludes
from
a

feven twelve

all eight-and-a-half pictures, broad. The

high,and
Vifion

nine
Pieta.

to

fubje"sare

In the centre,

of Innocent

III.

3.
4.

of Apoftolate Refurrection Ordeal

S. Dominic. of the young

Napoleon.

5. The 6. The 7. Death

of the Book.

Miraculous

Repaft.
of and Fiefole,

of S. Dominic.
for the church

Picture executed Vafari. It

"

very

by highly praifed engraved in

Rev.

See page

79.
18 17

was

publifhedin
outline

by

A.

G.

de

and Schlegel,

fifteen Some Pere

A

in plates

by

Guillaume
were

Ternite. in lithograph by publifhed

art.

of the beautiful heads

Arthur

Martin, whofe

lofs is fo great for Chriftian folio has been

in large chromo-lithograph Alcan.

publifhedby recently

M.

At
a

this

is employed in executing time,the imperial prefent calcograph

new

engraving.

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

o"37

Mufeum of
CIV.
"

Sketches. raife yellow, with white.

nature.

A
a

drawing on glory(? )

paper On the

tinted

S.

Francis in

a reverfe,

littleflagafter

Colkaion CV.^-Two CVI.

1.

of

M.

Frederic de

Reifet.

of Apoftles figures (?). Two beautiful various

Studies of At

drawings. (Nos. 5 and 6 in of for the composition figures

a

the

catalogue.) ment. Judgthe pen Warned

the Laft With

the top, ftudy of On

hand

taken from of
a

nature.

and in biftre. and raifed with

"

head the reverfe, On paper

monk

feen in front.

white.

tinted

yellow.
book, which
and he raifed with

CVII. holds white. On

An

with On

and reading an Evangelift fitting open both hands on his rightknee. Warned paper tinted green. He fitting. Evangelift in his left. See page With 53.

the reverfe, another and On

a

holds the pen

pen and

in his

righthand,
with

clofed book white paper.

wafhed

biftre.

Colleclion CVIII. inches the

a

of

M.

Gatteaux, member

of

the

Inflitut.
broad

"

charming
Six

little picture, eight inches there

by

four

high.

are perfonages

In half-length. reprefented

middle,Mofes

the holding the

one

tables of the law; which Mofes

they are piercedlike

are

painter's pallet.On
abebis deos alienos.

raifes up, the

the

words,

non

On

the

rightof

is placed legiflator,

Abraham,
Behind their

the father of On his

are

the believers, holding with

knife of

facrifice, fymbol

of his faith.

Aaron left,
two

the rod and in facerdotal coftume.

no

Mofes,
looks and

whom perfonages,

attribute

diftinguifhes ; perhaps the

their father Behind

exprefs adoration. pofition

and

They
of
to

are

Ifaac patriarchs
in

Jacob,whom
of

unites Scripture of Ifaac and fo well how

with

of fpeaking
is
an

the

God
our

Abraham,

Tacob. do.

Aaron This Law

as angel,

knew painter

of

and may doubtlefs, belongedto a gradino, picture, turned to the right, Fear. All the figures are as where there
was

the reprefent
to
a common

centre,

the perhaps a Chrift^ the other

union

of the

Old

and S.

New

Teftament.

On

fide, doubtlefs, were

of Grace.

S. Peter and

Paul, and fome

faints of the Law

338
This

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

is paintedon picture
are

gold ground.
and

The

is colouring The

very

foft; the heads

are

admirable

for character

execution.

hands

neglefted.

BERLIN.

Royal Mufeum,
CIX.
one
"

Laft

Judgment,recalling very
fmall in pictures is very the execution

much the

by

the

compofitionthe
of Fine it Arts
at

in the

Galleryof
But

Academy

Florence. be
a

and feeble,

makes

thought to
of

copy.
"

CX.
On

Madonna
two

with

the Child

Jefus.

Ground

of damafk

gold.

the

fides, are

feen,but
This

in very

fmall been

S. Dominic proportions,

and

S. Peter
"

Martyr.

has picture and

badly reftored (?).

CXI. CXII.

The
"

kifs of S. Dominic

S. Francis.
to

Appearance of
"

S. Francis

his

difciples.
Of dubious attribution.

CXIII.

Small

pictures badly reflored.

MUNICH.

Pinacotheca, (

'

)
of S. Marco,

CXIV. the
1 2.

"

Three

from pictures and

the

convent

reprefenting

legendof SS. Cofmas

SS. Cofmas
.

Damian. before the

and and and

Damian Damian Damian Father

proconful.
a

SS. Cofmas

placedon
thrown in
a

Crofs. faved with

3. SS. Cofmas CXV.

"

into the fea and furronnded glory,

by angels.
the choir of

The

Eternal

angels.
CXVI.
"

Burial of 103.

our

Lord.-

See

the

Mufecs

a7' Allemag?:e, by L,

Viardot,p.

In

1S60,

we

remember ft. mption about does

feeing a
of the

fmall

Tableau

of

Beato

Angelico

in

the

rinacotheca

at

Munic'i, cf the painting meafured remember).

"

Bleffed inches in the

Virgin, accompanied
about eleven

by
inches

numerous

angels.
(as well
now
as we

The
can
us.

fourteen
not

high, by
Catalogue

wide
of

This
s

appear

of the

Pinacotheca

1858

before

Publisher''

Note.

WORKS

OF

BEATO

ANGELICO.

339

BRUSSELS.

Colkftion of
CXVII.
"

King Leopold,
Child

A
a

Madonna

with

the

Jefus.
the B. Florence.

holding up

three others drapery, the

at fitting at

angels are feet. This Virgin's

Two

picture belongedto

familyof Gondi,

ENGLAND.

Prince CXVIII." CXIX." CXX. Thefe

"

Albert's Colleclion.

S. Peter A
A

Martyr.
with
a

Madonna

the Child choir of

Jefus(?).
above angels the
cot.

with Nativity, from

are pictures

the

collection of the Brothers

Metzger,at

Florence.

National CXXI.

Gallery, Magi.
In

"

The

Adoration inches

of

the
one

tempera,

on

wood,
wide. from

feven-and-a-half

high,by
at

foot fix-and-a-half

inches

Formerlyin
CXXII.

the collection of Profeflbr Rofini,at Pifa. Collection

Purchafed

the Lombardi-Baldi
"

Florence, in 1857.
the ufual banner of

Chrift

Triumphant,with
a

triumph in
fides

his left hand, in the midft of others

choir of

fome blowing trumpets angels, On the

; two
are

playing various
great crowd
;

mufical

inftruments.
:
"

a kneeling

of the Blefled and

the Patriarchs

the

Prophets ;
fexes
:

the Madonna
at

the

Apoftles ;
are

the Saints and

Martyrsof
hundred
names

both

the

extreme

ends and

the

faints of

the Dominican

Order, in their
and

white

robes

black cappas.

two Altogether

fixty-fix
"

of figures or figures, portions ; many

with

their
to

attached,

So

beautiful," fays Vafari,

dife."
In

"

that

they appear

be

trulybeingsof
each

Para-

tempera,

on

wood,

in five compartments,
"

twelve-and-a-half inch wide the

at

inches fides

inches high by eight-and-a-half and refpectively,

two

two

feet

one

the

feet four-and-a-half
an

inches wide

centre

picture.Formerlythe
and fold

Predella of

altar in San Domenico, fince

to

Fiefole,

by

the friarsabout

fifty years

Prufhan SignorValentini,
z 1

34"

CATALOGUE

OF

THE

WORKS

OF

B.

JNGELICO.

Conful

at

Rome.

Purchafed in 860.

from

his

nephew,

Signor

Gioacchino

Valentini,

at

Rome,

W.

Young

Ottlefs

Collection.

CXXIII.
"

The the

B.

Virgin
of

carried

to

the

tomb

by
Florence.

the

apoftles.
Attributed critics.
"

Little

picture
Giotto

from

church and

OgnifTanti
Beato

at

to

by
edit. the Life

Vafari,

to

Angelico
p. 332.

by

modern

See

Vasari,
In is marked CXXIV.

Lemonnier,
of
our

vol. Lord

1.

publifhed J.
of Elect Sanfort's

by

G.

B.

Nocchi,

the

fame

fubject

as

being
In
"

in the

Rev. houfe the Hell.

Gallery. perfon
into

private afcending

(?).
Heaven

Two and

mutters

of

tryptich
caft

reprefenting,
down into

the

bate Repro-

From

the

Gallery

of

Cardinal

Fefcb.

CXXV."
Padre

The Marchefe

Laft

Judgment.
1,

(vol.
Prince of

p.

302)

fays
but it

that

this

picture belong
in the

became

the

property
more

of and Ward.

the

Canino,
that it

does in

not

to

him

any

we

are

affured

is

now

England,

collection

of

Lord

342

ANALYTICAL

TABLE.

Architecture. The and different

Its

fupremacy over
1

paintingand

178. fculpture,
In

periodsof
ages,

architecture with
80.

1 79. peoples,

antiquity
of

in the middle

Art.
art, xxi.

Manifeftation Whence intellects and of

of

xi. beauty,
comes,
xv.

Aim,

and principle

means

its power

Communicates

fcience

and

love

to

xvi. wills, of the

art

Art xviii.
man

God, type
of God be
a

of man,

xvi.

The

Word,

Art

of

God,

Art mull

in the creation,xix. and

a

Juft and

good, xxi.
Vitiated

Art of

prayer

xxiv. teaching,

by Adam,

regenerated by Chrift,xxvi.
Relations ages, 249, learned 7. and of
art

with

the

people,249.
art

Its organization in the middle with

a

254.

Three

periodsof periods, 5.
the the Old law of

people.

The

hieratic,
and

naturaliftic
art

Thefe

in periods

Greece

Italy,
pagan mittance, Re-

Chriftian

under
to

Law,

xxx.

Compared
145. Its
art

with

art, xxix.

Obedient
xxxv,

love,
of

decay at
and of

the

282.
a

Falfe doctrines

art

for

realifm,
art

xxxviii. in

of Utility

afTociation religious
art.

for

developingChriftian
Caufe Beato of its

France, 308.

Pagan

Its

xxvi. origin,
art

beauty,

and decay,xxix. greatnefs

Ancient

ftudied

by

Angelico, 240.
Chriftian artift

Byzantine art,
Artist. muft

xxx

v.

Its

8. value,its character,

In the world

and and

in

convent,

73.

The His

nature ftudytradition,

the

282. antique,

device,284.

Assisi. Athanasius Augustine

Its

importancefor (Saint).His
242.

the

of hiftory

Chriftian

art, 50.

(Saint), reprefented, 241.

Chriftian xxxiv. asfthetics,

Reprefented,

89, 166, 208, 225,

Beauty.

xiv. xiii, Definition,

Beauty,natural
Moral

and

268. moral, xiii,

of all

Why
xxiv.

xiv. the foul, beauty pleafes

beauty,bafis
His the

beauty,
into the

fin, xxv. Beauty changed by original brother of Beato Angelico. Benedetto (Fra),
of S.

entrance

Order

Dominic,
Means

23. of

His

in co-operation

works

of Beato His

Angelico, 137.
199.
His Benedict Benozzo 257. His

his pictures, recognizing 137.

at

death,

miniatures

in the choir-books 170,

S. Marco,

200.

reprefented, (Saint), 89,

Gozzoli,
in paintings Pictures

208.

pupil of
the

Beato

Angelico.

Works

at

Orvieto,

Campo Santo, 276.

338. Angelica,

Berlin.

by

Beato

ANALYTICAL

TABLE.

343

Bernard Blessed

208. (Saint), rcprefcnted,

(the), reprefented, 148,

Annunciation architect.

151,

156.

Bonaventure Brescia.

(Saint), reprefented, 242. by

Beato

Angelico, 335.
on

Brunelleschi,
Abandons Brussels. the

His

influence

the

RenaifTance, 178.

pointedfor
Picture

the rounded Beato

arch, 185.

by

Angelico, 339.
the

Catacombs.

Art

in regenerated

Catacombs,

2.

there Subjects

reprefented, 3.
Cathedral,
it is for the

(the)in

the

middle Cathedral

ages.
of

Centre

of art, 250.

What
of

people,250.

Florence,252.

Cathedral

Or vie to, its beginning and

foundation,252.
171. 174.

Catherine Catherine Cecilia Christ. Church

of Alexandria,reprefented, (Saint) 91, of Sienna, (Saint)

reprefented, 91,

171,

(Saint), reprefented, 91, 175. See Jefus Chriit.

of and prote6lrix (the). Infpirer

Chriftian His

art, xxxvi.
over fuperiority

Cimabue, painter. Pupilof the Greek

his matters, 1 Communion Corporations. Cortona. 61. Works
1
.

Artifls.

of

Saints, reprefented, 135.

See Guilds. of the Gefu"

Convent of Beato and Damian 225.

of S.

Domenico,

59.

Church

Angelico, 322. (Saints), patrons

Their of
art

Cosmas

of the

Medici,

reprefented,

166, 167, 207,

Criticism Crowning

166, 176. legends,

in France.

of works
of the

Its

conferences,xxxviii, 309.
the Mufeum
of

Virgin, by Beato Florence, 135,

Angelico,in
224.

the Louvre, 79.

At

169, 175,

Damian

(Saint),See

S. Cofmas. 115, 140, 150, 208. of Florence,

David,
Descent 160.

87, reprefented,
from the

Cross, by Beato
this

Angelico. Academy
in

infpired by Feelings (Saint).His

His 170,

162. picture,
on

Dominic xxxvi.

influence

art

the

thirteenth

century,

likenefs, 103.
174, 205, His

Reprefented, j$y 78, 88, 163, 165, i66"

207,
221,

167,
At

172,

224.

His

legendat Cortona,

61.

the Louvre, 94.

Order

fruitful in artifts, why, 23, 28.

344
Donatello,

ANALYTICAL

TABLE.

of fculptor

the RenaifTance, lofes theChriftian

idea,187.

England,
Engravings Etruria. Eucharist. Eugenius.

Pictures of the Etrufcan

by
art

Beato

Angelico, 339.
Beato

paintings by

Angelico, 321.
Greek
art, 4.

diftincl; from 219.

Its inftitution, 127, IV.

to

At

the
228.

convent

of San life and 242.

Marco,

215.

Makes

Beato

Angelicogo
Evangelists Ezechiel

Rome,

His

death, 230.
Their

reprefented, 117, reprefented, no,

fymbols explained, 117.

209. His vifton 115.
01

116,

141,

the

coming

of

our

Lord, paintedby Beato

Angelico,112, ought
at

Fiesole,the

name

of

which place, of San Domenico

not

to

be

given to

Beato

Angelico. 33.
Beato Florence. the

Convent 323.

Fiefole, 72.

Pictures

by

Angelico, j$,
Its

hiftoryin
Works form

the

fixteenth

century,

193.

Bought by

Medici, 196.
Exterior
xv. of

of Beato
comes

Angelicoat Florence,324.
a

Form. of art,

from

form; fpiritual

it is the

means

Francis church 50.

Assisi

(Saint). His influence

150,

on

the arts, xxxvi. 224.

His

Reprefented, 89,
Fabriano,
with
not

166, 167, 208,

Beato

Gentile

da

pupil of

Angelico,275.
of Chriftian

His

compared ftyle
Germany. Catholic

that of Beato

Angelico, 275.
and
art, 299.

of Progrefs

hiftorical fcience

fchools; Societyof DufTeldorf, 306.

with fculptor.In competition (Lorenzo), influence His
on

Ghiberti 168. His

Beato

Angelico,
the His

the

RenaifTance, 186.

His

for paflion 19, 186.

186. antique,

gates of the

at Florence, Baptiflry

and defects,186. qualities Giottino. His

premature

death.

His

at pictures

Aflifi and

Santa

Croce, 15. Giotto, pupilof Cimabue.

Simone His Italian

Hyle, 12.
of Beato

Compared

with

Memmi,
di

14. Paolo of

Giovanni Giovanni Giovanni encourages

Sienna,imitator

278. Angelico,
of

Antonio Dominici

of Beato Angelico, Giovanelli, pupil 2 5 7, 2 59, 7 72.

(Beato),founder Reprefented, 209.

of

the

Convent

Fiefole^

the arts, 30.

ANALYTICAL

TABLE

345
of all

God. in Him, Gregory

Perfect xvii.
the 1 1

Artift, why, xvi.

-The

form

thingseternally Pope: patron

Great His

ted, in, (Saint), reprefen

commentary
with
on

241.
1 1 1
.

of the arts,

4.

Ezechiel,

Guido, painter, compared

Guilds

Beato

Angelico,295.
Their influence Beato
on

of artizans in the middle Guild of

ages.
a

the arts,

167.

The

Joinersorder
of Painters
at

pictureby

Angelico, 168.

Statutes of the Guild

Sienna, xxxiv.

Hell

reprefented, 148, 151, 156.

of Beato

Historians

Angelico, 287. importance

in

Iconography. Chriftian

Its

art,

46.
Mull

Pagan Iconography:
be ftudied in
manu-

Iconography; its fuperiority, 47.

III. His vifion of S. Dominic

cripts, 48.
Innocent S.

upholding the

church

of

John Lateran, 61, 95. Jacopo Poli, pupilof Jesus Christ. Type
Beato

Angelico, 257.
208.

163, 170, reprefented, Jerome (Saint),

and model difcufled epopee
122.

of the

xxvii. artift, His

His

beauty

by

the Greeks, 9.
art, 105.

Type
His

of

beauty,84.
215. the In

life is the great

of Chriftian Chrift

birth,120,

Prefentation,66,
Garden 219.
of

amongft
128.

the

Doctors, 124.

Olives,
the his garments,

128.

Bound,

Treated

ignominioufly, 129,
220.

Before

high prieft, 129.

131. 205, 327. 207,
222.

Carryinghis Crofs, 130,

to
as

of Stripped

Faftened Chrift

the
a

Crofs,

220.

Crucified,75,
See the

132,

167,

206. pilgrim,

Catalogue, 324,

John John John

140.

Baptist Chrysostom Evangelist

88, reprefented, (Saint),

147,

150,

172,

207.

reprefented, (Saint), 242. (Saint.)Patron

of Artifts, 32.

88, Reprefented,

Joseph (Saint), reprefented, 150. Judgment (the Laft).

on Reprefented

New

and

fublime

of fubjeft

Chriftian

art.

the door

of

Cathedrals,146.
149, 153, and 155,

In the

Campo Santo, 16.

in the Siftine

By

Beato

Angelico, 147, by

156.

That

Chapel

condemned

Aretino

Salvator

Rofa, 157.

346
Lanzi. Law without
of

ANALYTICAL

TABLE.

His

judgment on

Beato

Angelico, 294. Why

with
an

Love, reprefented, 139.

143. It is the law

open

book

and

arms,

of Chriftian

art, 145.

Lawrence the Vatican, Leo Leo Life

(Saint), reprefented, 90, 163, 167,

238.
His
our

207.

His

at hiftory

(Saint), Pope, reprefented, 241.

X.

fatal influence 235.

on

Chriftian Of

art, 281.

of

Lord, 105,
with

the BlefTed Its

65. Virgin,
nature,

Light, compared
Lodges Louis Luca

God, xviii.
ages,

beautyin

xix.

of Artifts in the middle

254.

(Saint), King

of France,

reprefented, 89.
the of paintings Beato 277.

Signorelli, continues

Angelico May

at

Orvieto, 277.
known Lucca Beato
della

Compared
Robbia,

with

Michael

Angelo,
to

have

Angelicoand given information

a

289. Vafari,

and popular religious fculptor, 187.

Madonna. Magi. Man.

See Adoration

Mary.
of the

Magi, 66,

121,

xx. Mailerpiece of creation,

165, 169, 174, 215. His corporealand fpiritual

xxii. artift, Confe-

beauty, xxi.
xxiii. fculptor, quences

Man,

an

artift, orator,
God
xxv.

writer, architect., painterand

him
an

Why

has

created

of his fall for art,

Marchese The
art.

(P.Vincenzo).
he has

His

work

on

the Dominican His

artifts, 295.

beft hiftorian of Beato Rules

Angelico, 296. by

of Chriftian intelligence

given for it,299. (Santa).Admired

Michael

Maria

Novella

Angelo, 27.
Dominican Maria Santa

Begun
artifts

by
27.

Fra Sifto and

Fra

Riftoro,and

finifhed

by

other
at

Reliquaries, 173.
(Saint).Patron
225. Choir-books

Painters who

worked

Novella,

172. Mark of the Guild of

Joiners, 169. Reprefented, given to

the
of religious

167, 169, 207,

Fiefole,197.

Convent

of S. Marco Fra

by

Benedetto,200.

in Paintings

frefco

by

Beato

Angelico, 205.
the

Mary,

Blessed

Virgin.

Type
She

of 150,

her, after 161,

166

Beato

Angelico,
of

85.
173,

Reprefented, 57, 60, 61, j6, jy,

207, 225.
to

bis, 169, 172,

Her

Life, 65.

givesthe

habit of the Order

S. Dominic
Mary

Bl.

66. Reginald,

Magdalen

(Saint), reprefented, 91, 161,

171,

175,

207.

ANALYTICAL

TABLE.

347
Renaiflance, 178.
His

Masaccio,

painter. His
Patrons and

influence

on

the

and defects, 188. qualities Medici.

corrupters of
de Patron

the

Renaiflance, 192.
Cofimo de Medici.

Their His

hiftory, 194.
exile and return, Beato

Giovanni 195.

Medici,
of the

194.

of Fiefole, and religious

friend of

Angelico,197.
(Simone). Compared
of with with

Memmi

Giotti,14.
Beato

Memling,
Michael Michael caufe defects, Michelino Santa Maria

Bruges, compared
His

Angelico, 277.
artifts, 27.
His

(Saint), Archangel,63, 163.

Angelo. of the admiration for Dominican

decline, 246.
Beato

(Domenico), pupilof
dei Fiori, 276.

Angelico.
in the

His

pictureat
It

Miniature. has formed the

at

Importance of
the
our

miniature Chriftian

of hiftory

art, 44.

Iconography of
convent

art, 47.

Miniatures

in the

choir- books Miracle

of S. Marco, ad Nives,

200.

of

Lady

262. reprefented, he has rendered the

on

Montalembert difcourfes
at

(Count de).

Services
His

to

art

by

his

and

writings, 315.

of defcription His

Laft

Judgment Angelico,

the

Academy

of Florence, 149.

eulogy

Beato

316.
Montefalco.
Munich.

attributed Paintings Pictures

to

Beato

Angelicoat,

335.

by

Beato and

Angelico, 338.
of, 159. utility

Museums,

Inconveniences

Naples.
to

Bourbon

Mufeum.

Pictures

by

Beato

Angelico attributed
faints, 69.
in pulpit Studied

Giottino, 261, 334.

Nature. and Intelligence love of 274.
art,
1

nature

in the

by

Beato Niccola
of

Angelico,52,
of

104,

Pisa, ftudies ancient

1

7.

His

the Cathedral

Sienna,
of

8.

Nicholas

Bari

reprefented, (Saint), 57,

Beato

90,

170.

His

legend,

57.
Nicholas

V.,

knew and

Angelicoat Florence,
Writes the

232.

Enlightened
Beato

patron

of the

arts

fciences, 232.

epitaph of

Angelico,265.
Orator. Artift above xxiii. all,

348
Orcagna,

ANALYTICAL

TABLE.

to fuperior

Michael

Angelo,in
have

the

Campo Santo,
for Chriftian

16.

Orders, religious.What
255.
Orsel. Orvieto. His talent and

they

done

art,

xxxvi,

examples,307.

Its

Cathedral,248.
Caufe
to

Painting, Italian.
xxxv.

of its

in development
8.

the thirteenth

tury, cen-

Anterior Pictures and

Cimabue,

6j. Myftic painting, Angelico,336.

Paris. Paul

drawingsby

Beato

62, 88, 96, 167, 170. (Saint), reprefented,

Works of Beato
to

Perugia.

Angelico, 321.
as
a

Perugino, ought not

Peter 170, 172.

cited

278. my flic painter,

(Saint) Apoftle. Reprefented, 62, 88,

Dominican (Saint),
173, 174,

96, 163, 166, 163,

172,

Peter

martyr.

62, 78, Reprefented,

224, 225. His

90,

166, 167, 171,

202.

206, 208,

martyrdom,

Pieta.

What

it

fignifies, 94.
dancers

Reprefented, 165, 206.

Beato

Pinturicchio, compared with

Pompeii.
,

Angelico.
with

His

paintings, 279. angels by

Beato

Female

compared

the

Angelico, 254.
116. Prophets, reprefented, Pupils of Beato

Angelico,275.
His
error on

Raoul

Rochette. ftudies the He

Chriftian Beato
an

types, 3.
S. Marco,
280.

Raphael,
His

by paintings
a

Angelicoat
280. apoftle,

genius.

is neither

faint

nor

Reliquaries of Santa Maria

Renaissance.

Novella,

173.

Its

commencement

in the fifteenth century,

178.

Its

decline, xxxvii, 282.

Rio. His
on

beautiful Beato

work

on

Chriftian

in Italy, painting 3 1 2.

His

judgment
Rome. Beato

Angelico, 313.
on

Its influence

the artiftsof the Renaiffance, 227.

And

on

Angelico, 234.
His

Works in

by

Beato

Angelicothere,332.
refearches
on

Rumohr. 3"5-

miffion

Italy.

His

Chriftian

art,

Sacraments, figured by

the feven-branched

candleftick, 142.

3$

ANALYTICAL

TABLE.

he had 79,

in

writing

his

Life, 289.

His

enthufiafm

for Beato

Angelico,

292. Vatican.

Chapels painted by 246.

Beato

Angelico, 235.

Pagan

art

at

the Vatican,

Vincent,
Virgin,

deacon and martyr, reprefented, (Saint), 63. BlefTed Virgin. See Mary. The

Zach

arias

(Saint) writing the

Strozzi,

name

of

S.

John Baptift, 171.

Zanobi

pupilof

Beato

Angelico, 276.

ViditFR. S. Th. Vidit

Fr.

V.

H.

Ferreri,
et

O.P., Conv.
Revifor,

Annun,

Suppri

"r,

Leftor,

Libr.

Vincentius

King,

O.P., S. Th.

Leaor,

et

Libr.

Revifor. Artenta
torum

relatione

reviforum opera cui

noftri Ordinis

nobis
Beato

defignaAngelico
Tranf-

fuper

titulus,Life of

da

of Fiefole,

the Order eandem

of

Friar-Preachers.

lated, "c,

"c,

typis mandari

permittimus.

F.

THOMAS
et

NICKOLDS,
Provinc. Orel. Praed. in

S. Th.

Leftor, Praed.

Gen.,

Prior

Anglia.

TABLE

OF

CHAPTERS.
Page.

Introduction.
........

XI

Chapter Chapter

I.

Paintingin Italybefore
Birth of Beato into the

Beato
"

Angelico
His
entrance

II.

Angelico.
of

Order

S. Dominic

(138721

1408)
Chapter III. Beato

Angelico'srefidence
Cortona.
"

at

Foligno

and

His

artiftic ftudies

(140837

Hi8)
Chapter IV. The nrft works of
.

Beato
.

Angelico (1408.

1418).
Chapter V. Return
to

55

the

Convent
at

of

Fiefole.

"

ings Paint"

executed Coronation of

that

period.
in

The the

the

Virgin,

Louvre, (141 8-1436).

Chapter VI. Beato

Angelico
our

as

Theologian.
"

Life

of 105

Lord.
.....

Chapter Chapter

VII. VIII.

The

Law

of

Love. Beato

"

The

Laft

Judgment
the Mufeums

139

Pictures and

by

Angelico in
of
at

Churches

Florence. Florence.
"

"59 His tions relaand 177

Chapter

IX.

Beato

Angelico
with Mafaccio.

Brunellefchi, Ghiberti
.....

Chapter

X.

Foundation

of Cofimo

the de

Convent Medici.
....

of
"

San

Marco

by
Chapter

Choir-books 192

by Fra Benedetto.
XI. Convent of San
Marco.
"

Paintingsin

the 204

cloifter and Chapter XII. Beato

in the cells.
at

Angelico
in

Rome.

"

Chapel
.

of

the 227

Vatican, (1445-1455).
Chapter XIII.

Paintings
"

the
at

Cathedral

of

Orvieto.

Pictures of Beato

Naples. Angelico.
"

248
His

Chapter

XIV.

Death

eulogy.
"

His Chapter XV. Beato

pupilsand
da and Beato

his influence. Fiefole

France. Angelico.

264
in

Angelico Germany

judged

Italy,
285
321

Catalogue

of

the

Works

of

ERRATUM.

Page
204,

laft

line.

For

"or

Rome"

read,

"fir

Rome."

Caxrtier,

Etienne

nd

623

Life

of

Beato

Angelico

da

.F5

Fie

sole,

of

the

order

of

C3

Friar-preachers