is, after entering the church, was decorated in fresco by Spinello, with figures boldly and beautifully painted, as is also the St. Anthony, depicted by the same master, on the façade of the church dedicated to his name; this is a halflength, and is so finely done that it almost seems to be living.[1] It is surrounded by four stories from the life of the saint. The same stories, with many others from the life of Sant’ Antonio, have, in like manner, been painted in the chapel of that saint, which is in the church of San Giustino.[2]
In the church of San Lorenzo, and on one of the walls, this master painted events from the life of the Virgin, of whom he also depicted a seated figure on the outside of the church, a very graceful work in fresco. In an hospital opposite to the convent of the nuns of Santo Spirito, and near the gate which opens on the road leading to Rome, is a portico, entirely painted by the hand of Spinello. Among the pictures of this arcade is one of Christ lying dead in the arms of the Maries, which evinces so much genius, together with so profound a judgment in the art of painting, that it proves Spinello to have equalled Giotto in design, while he greatly surpassed him in colouring. In the same place, our artist has represented Christ seated; this work is a theological allegory, very ingeniously expressed; the three Persons of the Trinity being so placed within a sun, that the same beams and the same splendour appear to proceed from each of the three. But the paintings of this portico— to the great loss of all who love the art of painting—have suffered the fate of so many other works, having been destroyed with the building, which was demolished to make way for the fortification. For the Brotherhood of the Holy Trinity, Spinello painted a Tabernacle in fresco, which is still to be seen outside the church; the subjects chosen are the Trinity, St. Peter, and SS. Cosimo and Hamiano, the latter clothed in such vestments as it was customary for physicians to wear at that time.[3] While these works were
- ↑ The pictures in the chapel of San Domenico are still in existence, those in the church of St. Anthony are destroyed. —Montani, in the Florentine Edition of 1832.
- ↑ The pictures of San Giustino, with those (so much commended) of San Lorenzo and the Hospital, have all perished.—Ibid.
- ↑ These pictures are still in existence, but have been retouched by Franchini of Siena.— Masselli.
