Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . accompanied by their women, their sheep, and even their G G 226 LEGENDS OF THE MADONNA. dogs. According to an old legend, Simon and Jiide, after-wards apostles, were among these shepherds. When the angels scatter flowers, as in compositions byRaphael and Ludovico Caracci, we must suppose that theywere not gathered on earth, but in heaven. The Infant is sometimes asleep: — so Milton sings — But see the Virgin blestHath laid her Babe to rest! In a drawing by Raphael, the Child slumbers,
Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . accompanied by their women, their sheep, and even their G G 226 LEGENDS OF THE MADONNA. dogs. According to an old legend, Simon and Jiide, after-wards apostles, were among these shepherds. When the angels scatter flowers, as in compositions byRaphael and Ludovico Caracci, we must suppose that theywere not gathered on earth, but in heaven. The Infant is sometimes asleep: — so Milton sings — But see the Virgin blestHath laid her Babe to rest! In a drawing by Raphael, the Child slumbers, and Josephraises the coverlid, to show him to a shepherd. We have thesame idea in several other instances. In a graceful com-position by Titian, it is the Virgin Mother who raises theveil from the face of the sleeping Child. From the number of figures and accessories, the Nativitythus treated as an historical subject becomes capable ofalmost endless variety; but as it is one not to be mistaken,and has a universal meaning and interest, I may now leave itto the fancy and discrimination of the no Ideal Nativity. (Perugino.) THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI. 227 The Adoration of the Magi. Ital. LAdorazione de Magi. LEpifania. Fr. LAdoration des RoisMagres. Ger. Die Anbetunoj der Weisen aus dem Morgenland. Die o o o heilige drei Konigen. This, the most extraordinary incident in the early life of ourSaviour, rests on the authority of one evangelist only. It isrelated by St. Matthew so briefly, as to present many histo-rical and philosophical difficulties. I must give some idea ofthe manner in which these difficulties were elucidated by theearly commentators, and of the notions which prevailed inthe middle ages relative to the country of the Three Kings,before it will be possible to understand or to appreciate thesubject as it has been set before us in every style of art, inevery form, in every material, from the third century to thepresent time. In the first place, who were t
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