Chap. XIII. FRA BARTOLOMMEO DELLA PORTA. 467 the archbishopric of Florence. After his death the order made strenuous efforts to secure his canonization, but invariably -without success. When Leo the Tenth made Lis solemn entry into Florence in the winter of 1515, and on the day of Epiphany 1516 admitted the brethren of S. Marco to kiss the foot, he graciously whispered his intention to fulfil their wish, and left them swelling with pride at being favoured beyond all the religious com munities of the Tuscan capital. Though Leo did not live to satisfy this pious desire, the brothers of S. Marco were prepared for a speedy fulfilment of his promise, and might in the meanwhile have intended to celebrate the occasion by the exhibition of a picture from the hand of their best artist. Fra Bartolommeo may thus have been induced to compose and finish, previous to its transfer to a panel of larger dimensions, the small one of Panshanger which, had it been so carried out, would probably have been the finest that he ever attempted. The body of the archbishop lies in state on a couch in the centre of a convent-yard, with friars about him, some on their knees grieving, others stooping over him, or trying to embrace his sandals; others again with tapers or prayer-books. Laymen at each side have gathered together in haste and great com motion, the nearest on each side of the foreground boldly set as pillars to support the framework of the composi tion; their weight increased by the architecture, and buildings of the court massively confined by high walls at each flank, and by lower ones in the distance, above which an orchard and hills are seen. In the background, the door of the church is open, with the head of the fu neral procession about to issue from it; whilst amidst clouds, accompanied by angels bearing the throne, the lily, and crowns, the canonized saint ascends to heaven to meet the Eternal. Geometrical symmetry and balance are ob tained with an ease almost unparalleled. Nothing like the truth or animation of the scene, the readiness and firmness of the movements, and the nature of the groups. • 30 * \