Volltext Seite (XML)
Chap. IX. LO SPAGNA. 321 and child in glory between two angels in the spring of it; — the first a very exaggerated imitation of Perugino and Pinturicchio, the second influenced by contact with Raphael. On the face above the semidome the Eternal on clouds sends the dove to the Virgin annunciate on the right, the angel kneeling to the left, the latter also Perugines- que and in contrast with the Raphaelesque air of the Eternal. 1 Again in the tribune of S. Jacopo outside Spoleto we have S. James with incidents of his life and a Coro nation of the Virgin, the inevitable subject of Spagna in these parts. Imitating in Todi and Trevi, a school work of Ghirlandaio’s atelier, he copies at S. Jacopo, actions of sybils and saints from Fra Filippo’s frescos in the cathedral of Spoleto. Yet he still maintains to the last the careful system of handling and finish charac teristic of his earlier years. 2 But in the side chapels of The Virgin in glory at the altar of S. Sebastian is better. The Vir gin is fair, though not perfect in proportion. The S. Sebastian bound to a tree on the left, is a fine figure, stained by damp. The movement of S. Catherine of Ale xandria next him, on her knees, is not without life. S. Appollonia also kneels (lower part damaged) and the Baptist, right, points to wards the Virgin. The fresco is in an ornament, two victories tilling the sides above the arched glory. 1 The whole of the lower part of this Baptism is new as well as a S. Jerom in a pilaster to the left, S. Xaverius on that to the right, and the Virgin annunciate above the semi-dome. The S. Sebastian is extensively injured. The red tunic of the Virgin in glory is re newed as is likewise the ground below. In the Baptism, the figures are inordinately long, the S. Se bastian particularly, round headed, with a thin waist, broad hips and paltry limbs. The angel annun- VOL. III. ciate is graceful enough, but long, lean, and draped in festoons. It is necessary to remember that Spa gna at this time, being a master, suffers also from the rapid care lessness of assistants. The colour, as usual, is pale yellow without much relief, the hatching blacken ed by time. The drawing is more than usually mannered, and the flesh is flabby and hangs in dis- agreable wrinkles. 2 This fresco has been varnished and is consequently much injured. The left side of the semi-dome es pecially is altered by damp, the heads of S. John the Baptist and two others being almost gone. The blue mantle of Christ has partly scaled. The lower part of the figure of S. James in the middle of the apse is new. There is a Ra phaelesque air in an angel annun ciate within a medallion at the side of the arch of the semi-dome; and the-Virgin opposite is a tine half length. The S. James a little feeble. In the fresco to the right which represents S. James restor- 21