Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/184

170 the authorities, by whom Buonamico was adjudged to have performed his contract.

Another and very fine picture, from the hand of Buffalmacco, was the Passion of Christ, in the church of San 'Giovanni fra l’Arcore; and, among other much esteemed parts of this work, was a Judas hanging on the tree, painted with admirable judgment, and in an excellent manner. An old man blowing his nose, is also most natural; and the Maries, drowned in tears, have an expression of such deep sadness, that—considering the age to have been one when artists had not attained facility in expressing emotion—this work can scarcely be praised too highly. Another good figure in this painting was, a St. Ivo of Brittany, at whose feet are many widows and orphans; two angels hovering in the air, and crowning the saint, are also painted with infinite sweetness and feeling. This building, with the pictures contained in it, was demolished in the war of 1529.

Buonamico also painted many pictures in the episcopal church of Cortona, for Messer Aldobrandino, bishop of that city, more particularly the chapel and picture of the High Altar; but, as all these works were destroyed when the palace and church were rebuilt, we need say nothing more respecting them. In San Francesco, however, and in Santa Margarita, two churches of the same city, there still remain some paintings by the hand of Buonamico. From Cortona, this master proceeded once again to Assisi, where he painted, in fresco, the entire chapel of Cardinal Egidio Alvaro, a Spaniard; and, having acquitted himself extremely well, was liberally rewarded by that prelate. Finally, having painted many pictures for the whole March, Buonamico returned to Florence, but was delayed for some time at Perugia, on the way to his native city, where he painted the chapel of the Buontempi, in the church of San Domenico, the subject being stories, in fresco, from the life of the virgin-martyr St. Catherine.

On one of the walls in the old church of San Domenico, he also executed a'fresco, representing the same Catherine, daughter of King Costa, when, disputing with certain philosophers, she