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Chap. XXI. ALTARPIECES. 473 glory of graceful angels, between Saints, 1 one of which, S. Reparata, is a square figure, as, indeed, are most of those in the altarpiece. The Virgin has a vulgar face, but a graceful action. As for the rest, the draperies are massive and fine. Above these figures are fourteen half saints in niches, and below, seven scenes from the life of the Madonna, or rather six; for that which occupied the space beneath the figure of the Baptist is gone. These compositions begin as usual with the expulsion of Joachim from the temple and, being small, display, as Vasari truly remarks, better qualities than usual. 2 They are tastefully arranged miniatures, soft, rosy and clear in colour, 3 but still painted in with a bold hand. 4 A Virgin and child between Saints in the Chiostro Verde of S. Maria No vella is much in the character of that which of old hung in S. Pancrazio, but less interesting, because the surface has been flayed and the flesh tints are reduced to the primitive preparation. In the eighteenth chapel of the church of S. Spirito, where the author Piero Vittori is buried, is an altarpiece of four figures in the same style; and persons unable to visit Italy may notice a similar manner in a Virgin and child assigned to Giotto in the Gallery of Berlin. 5 By Agnolo also is a Virgin and child with Saints in the Gallery of Prato. 8 Inferior to Agnolo’s works in execution, but displaying evident efforts at imi tation of his style is a coronation of the Virgin, assigned to Ugolino of Sienna, formerly in S. Maria Novella, now in the Academy of Arts at Florence. 7 One can hardly 1 The Evangelist whose mantle has lost its colour, S.S.Nereo,Pan crazio and John the Baptist whose red mantle is also obliterated, Achilleo and Reparata. Both the S. Johns are turned towards the Virgin, and the Baptist has the character and draperies of that by Agnolo in the ceiling of the Alberti chapel. S. Reparata in a diadem holds a banner. * Vas. Vol. II. p. 153-4. 3 The tones seem to have as sumed this rosy hue since the dis appearance of colouring glazes. 4 In the Cappella Castellani at S. Croce a double ceiling deco rated with the four Evangelists and four doctors of the church displays much the style of Agnolo as it may he found in the frescos of the choir of the same church. 5 No. 1040. Berlin Catal. 6 No. 1. S.S. Francis, Bartho lomew, Catherine of Alexandria and the Evangelist. 7 No. l.Gal. desanciens tableaux.