Volltext Seite (XML)
represent another and unknown person. It is coloured in a soft and harmonious manner in oil, with well fused and fatty impasto; but it is somewhat empty, feeble in the transitions from light to shade, and timidly drawn. The technical method is that of Francia Bigio’s teacher Ma- riotto, the character generally that of Del Sarto in the frescos of the Servi, but without the breadth to which he already expands there. In this effort to approximate to Albertinelli and Fra Bartolommeo, we trace the force of Francia Bigio's persuasion or precept on Andrea; un less we assume that Francia Bigio is himself the author, in which case he and Del Sarto would have painted ex actly alike. Yet as Andrea for some time longer felt a sympathetic leaning towards the Frate and Albertinelli, we may consider him more likely to have done the por trait of Alnwick Castle than Francia Bigio. Since the days of Baldovinetti and Cosimo Rosselli the court of the convent of the Servi had received no addi tional decoration. In one corner Alesso had left a Na tivity, carried out in new and perishable materials; in another, Rosselli had scarcely finished a Miracle of the sainted Philip. The Brotherhood of the Servi, though poor, was ambitious of completing these adornments, and with much tact sought out rising men from whom skill and small charges were to be expected. Thus it was that from 1509 to 1514 it had in employ three young fellows of great promise—Francia Bigio, Andrea del Sarto, and Andrea Feltrini. We can scarcely tell, in deed, whether most to admire the cleverness which could discern the value of these youths, or the cunning with which jealousy was sown between Francia Bigio and Del Sarto, in order that the convent might reap the advan tage of their rivalry. To the latter, who had already the reputation of being soft and malleable, the sacristan Fra Mariano suggested how quickly his name would become known were he to leave a successful proof of his talent in a public and much frequented locality; and how important it would be for him to work rather there than
