Chap. I. SPINELLO OF AREZZO. 11 ability in rendering sweep of drapery are illustrated in S. Domenico of Arezzo, where an altar to the left of the portal is decorated with the majestic erect forms of S.S. James and Philip, between side panels representing scenes from the lives of these saints. 1 Vasari justly praises another of Spinello’s frescos in Arezzo, a tabernacle above the door leading into the Com- pagnia della Misericordia. 2 The colossal Trinity depicted there, although repainted in its lower half, is worthy of distinct attention. 3 The head of the Eternal, of a fine and powerful type, a well proportioned figure of the Re deemer, not without religious feeling, impart to the whole subject a certain grandeur, whilst the general effect is heightened by vigorous colour. A virgin between S.S. James and Anthony assigned to the master in the company of the Purraciuoli at Arezzo, bears the date of 1377 and might prove, if the fresco be authentic, that Spinello was still at the time in his native city. According to a tradition existing to the present day, his shop was situated near the Via Sacra at the corner of the Via della Tolletta. A room is shown on the ground floor of a house on that site, in which a half figure of a Virgin annunciate is preserved on a wall, with a winged Saviour above and to the right of it, both figures dis playing truly the style of Spinello. At Florence he was employed by an Aretine, Don Jacopo, general of the congregation of Monte Oliveto to paint for the church of that name an altarpiece illustra ting the lives and martyrdom of various saints. The central panel has disappeared; but a gable and predella 1 Vas. Vol. II. p. 192. The scenes from the life of S. James on the left, those from the life of S. Philip on the right. Some of the heads in these have been injured by retouching. Two sce nes from the life of S. Catherine are above the rest. 2 Of old della Trinita. Vas. Vol. II. p. 193. 3 Four angels supporting the Trinity have also been injured, as well as S.S. Peter, Cosmo and Damian in the vaulting.
