of the form has the shape of Man, and the hands are confined behind the back; on his head is one foot of the glorious Virgin, which is trampling down the horns of the demon, while the other foot is fixed on a Moon. Our Lady is clothed with the Sun and crowned with twelve stars, being sustained in the air, within a splendour of numerous angels, nude, and illuminated by the rays which proceed from the Madonna herself. These same rays, moreover, passing amidst the foliage of the Tree, give light to the figures bound to the branches; nay, they seem to be gradually loosening their bonds, by the power and grace which they derive from her out of whom they proceed. In Heaven meanwhile, that is at the highest point of the picture, are two Children bearing a scroll, on which are the following words: —
Quos Evas culpa damnavit, Marice gratia solvit.
To no work, so far as I can remember, had I then given more study, or devoted myself with more love and care thereto, than I had done to this; but nevertheless, if perchance I may have contented others, I did not satisfy myself, although I alone know what time, what consideration, and what labour I spent thereon, the care expended on the nude figures for example, and that given to the heads, or rather, at a word, to every part of the work.[1] Messer Bindo presented me for the same, with a sum of three hundred crowns; and in the year following he showed me infinite kindness, at his own house at Rome, treating me with so much courtesy, that I shall be ever grateful to his memory. I then also made for Messer Bindo a small picture or copy, almost in the manner of a miniature, from the work here in question.[2]
Now about the period when, having completed the picture of Sant’ Apostolo, I had seen it put up in the Church, I painted a Venus for Messer Ottaviano de’ Medici, with a Leda, which 1 took from the Cartoons of Michelagnolo. In a large picture, moreover, I executed a San Girolamo in penitence, making the figure of the Saint the size of life; he is in contemplation on the death of Christ, whom he has
