Page:Cyclopedia of painters and paintings (IA cyclopediaofpain04cham).pdf/396

 chromolithograph by Kellenhoven (1855); water-colour, J. Journy (Salon, 1861).—Vasari, ed. Mil., ii. 511; A. W. Schlegel (Paris, 1816); C. & C., Italy, i. 584; Larousse, v. 363.

Birth of the Virgin, Murillo, Louvre, Paris.

By Fra Angelico, Uffizi, Florence; wood, small figures. Christ places the crown upon the head of the Virgin in the midst of a choir of angels, surrounded by a great number of saints, male and female. Painted in 1433 for S. M. Nuova, Florence, whence removed to Uffizi in 1825. A masterpiece, magnificently composed. The predella, consisting of the Marriage of the Virgin, Death of the Virgin, and Birth of John Baptist, is now separate in the Uffizi. The Marriage is one of the greatest of his compositions.—Vasari, ed. Mil., ii. 516; C. & C., Italy, i. 586; Lasinio, i. Pl. 30, 105, 106.

By Giovanni Bellini, S. Francesco, Pesaro; wood, H. 8 ft. 6 in. × 7 ft. 11 in.; signed. The Virgin and Saviour on a throne, the former bending to receive the crown; SS. Peter, Paul, Jerome, and Francis. Panel is in a rich frame, with pilaster niches on sides containing eight saints, and resting on predellas representing: Conversion of St. Paul; Martyrdom of St. Peter; Nativity; St. Jerome Penitent; St. Francis receiving Stigmata. Painted about 1475 for S. Domenico, whence removed to S. Francesco.—Vasari, ed. Mil., iii. 162; Ridolfi, Maraviglie, i. 95; C. & C., N. Italy, i. 158; Meyer, Künst. Lex., iii. 404, 416.

By Sandro Botticelli, Florence Academy; wood, H. 12 ft. 2 in. × 8 ft. 2 in. The Eternal crowning the Virgin in the heavens, surrounded by a choir of cherubs and dancing angels; below, SS. John Evangelist, Augustine, Jerome, and Eloy. Painted about 1481-84 for S. Marco, Florence. One of Botticelli's best works. Engraved by F. Livy.—Vasari, ed. Mil., iii. 312; C. & C., Italy, ii 420; Gall. di Firenze, Pl. 45.

By Raffaellino del Garbo, Louvre; wood, H. 9 ft. 6 in. × 5 ft. 4 in. Within a glory the Virgin, seated, receives the crown from Christ, while the Holy Spirit hovers over their heads; four angels play a lute, a dulcimer, a harp, and a viol; below, at left, SS. Benedict and Salvi, Bishop of Verona; at right, SS. Giovanni Gualberto Azzini, founder of the brotherhood of Vallombrosa, and Bernardo degli Uberti, Cardinal and Bishop of Parma. Painted for S. Salvi, Florence; carried to Paris in 1812. Much injured.—Vasari, ed. Mil., iv. 238; Villot, Cat. Louvre; Landon, Musée, 2d Col., iv. Pl. 1.