Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . nd St. Antonino of Florence; on the other,St. Peter and St. Philip Benozzi; in front kneel St. Mar-garet and St. Catherine: all appear to contemplate withrapturous devotion the vision of the Madonna. The headsand attitudes in this picture have that character of elegancewhich distinguished the Florentine school at this period,without any of those extravagancies and peculiarities intowhich Piero often fell; for the man had evidently a touchof madness, and was as eccentric in his works as
Legends of the Madonna, as represented in the fine artsForming the third series of Sacred and legendary art . nd St. Antonino of Florence; on the other,St. Peter and St. Philip Benozzi; in front kneel St. Mar-garet and St. Catherine: all appear to contemplate withrapturous devotion the vision of the Madonna. The headsand attitudes in this picture have that character of elegancewhich distinguished the Florentine school at this period,without any of those extravagancies and peculiarities intowhich Piero often fell; for the man had evidently a touchof madness, and was as eccentric in his works as in his lifeand conversation. The order of the Serviti, for whom he Monastic Orders, p. 224. painted this picture,was instituted in honourof the Virgin, and forher particular service,which will account forthe unusual treatment. The numerous—oftenmost beautiful — headsand half-length figureswhich represent theVirgin alone, lookingup with a devout ortender expression, orwith the head declined, 7 Regina Virginum. ^^^^^ ^|^g hauds joiucd iu prayer, or crossed over the bosom with virginal humility and c 2. 12 LEGENDS OF THE MADONNA. modesty, belong to this class of representations. In theancient heads, most of which are imitations of the old Greekeffigies ascribed to St. Luke, thereis often great simplicity andbeauty. When she wears thecrown over her veil, or bears asceptre in her hand, she figuresas the queen of heaven {^ReginaCosli). When such effigies areattended by adoring angels, she isthe queen of angels {Regina An-gelorum). When she is weepingor holding the crown of thorns,she is Our Lady of Sorrow, theMater Dolorosa, When she ismerely veiled, with folded hands,and in her features all the beauty, maiden purity, and sweet-ness which the artist could render, she is simply the Blessed
Size: 1474px × 1695px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade18, booksubjectmaryblessedvirginsaint
