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266 EARLY CHRISTIAN ART. Chap. IX. heavily shaped throne, is a specimen of his skill in the Museo Correr, and bears the signature: “MCCCLXVIIII a di XI avosto Stef. pleb. See agne P.” The style is Greek like that of Lorenzo, the hands de fective, long and lean, the colour dark, the panel prepared in red, as may be seen where the varnish has dropped. A coronation of the Virgin, the centre to an altarpiece of which the remaining parts are by another hand, is in the Academy at Venice, 1 inscribed: “MCCCLXXXI Stefan Plebanus setse Agnetis pinxit.” 2 The ablest Venetian artist of the fourteenth century is Niccolo Semitecolo, whose first picture, a coronation of the Virgin, dates as far back as 1351, being inscribed: “Nicolo Semitecolo MCCCLI,” 3 whose latest are of the fifteenth century, proving the length of the painter’s career. His best efforts are those of 1367, at which date he executed an altarpiece, now divided, in the library of the chapterhouse of the Duomo at Padua, representing the Virgin and child, with the Trinity beneath it, 4 S. Sebastian before the judge, his martyrdom, execution, and deposition in the tomb; beneath the judgment and execution are the words: „Nicboleto Semitecholo da Veniexia impese MCCCLXVII a di XV di Decebre.” 5 This masterpiece of the early Venetian school need not be criticised with reference to composition or arrange ment, being more remarkable for violence and quaintness 1 No. 16. Sala degli Antichi depinti — comes from the con vent of S. Chiara. 2 In this manner in the Ex- Campana Gallery, now in Paris, under the name of Ottaviano da Faenza is a triptych of the Virgin between S.S. Anthony, Bartholomew, Francis, John Bap tist. 3 No. 394. Academy of Arts at Venice. 4 The Eternal holds the Sa viour with outstretched arms as if crucified, hut without a cross. Both his and the Redeemer’s face are serene, the latter open eyed. 5 In the martyrdom, the Saint is hound erect to a stake fixed in a tressel with groups on each side and soldiers on the left shooting under encouragement from a priest. (The flesh tints in the executioners are repainted in oil.) In a distant lodge two crowned figures seem engaged in conver sation with the martyr. S. Se bastian is afterwards killed by an executioner with clubs.