["The remote little chapel containing Fra Angelico's masterpieces." Without seeing it, no one can have any conception of "the strength and freedom of the artist." "These frescoes are the highest expression of that which the friar for many years had been striving after. They are an anthology of his artistic virtues" (Fra Angelico, by Langton Douglas: see pp. 141-158 for a full discussion of them).]
Bellini, Giovanni (see under 189).
Virgin and Child (62): picture, Frari, Venice.
["The art of Bellini is centrally represented by two pictures at Venice: one the Madonna in the sacristy of the Frari with two saints beside her, and ten angels at her feet; the second, the "Madonna with four Saints" over the second altar of San Zaccaria. In the first of these the figures are under life size, and it represents the most perfect kind of picture for rooms; in which, since it is intended to be seen close to the spectator, every right kind of finish possible to the hand may be wisely lavished; yet which is not a miniature, nor in any wise petty or ignoble, etc." (Ruskin: Relation between Michael Angelo and Tintoret, p. 14).]
Boccaccio Boccaccino (see under 806).
Christ among the Doctors (57): fresco, Cathedral, Cremona.
Botticelli (see under 1034).
Spring (86): picture, Belle Arti, Florence.
[The most probable explanation of the allegory is this:—The picture represents a masque or joust of Spring given by Giuliano de' Medici in honour of his mistress, "La Simonetta Vespucei," who is here represented as Spring, Giuliano himself figuring as Mercury. In the centre is Venus with Cupid above her head, pointing an arrow at Giuliano. Shortly after the joust, Giuliano was murdered, and La Simonetta died. The death-like figure to the extreme left, breathing upon Spring, represents the premonition of these coming disasters. Simonetta was a favourite model of Botticelli's, the same slender and long-throated lady appearing in many of his works, though sometimes spiritualised almost past recognition (cf. Ariadne Florentina, Appendix iv.; and a sonnet by D. G. Rossetti describing this picture).]