Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/358

350 incomparably soft and beautiful; but so indeed are those of all the other figures, which are such, at a word, that nothing in fresco could possibly be more effectively, or more delicately and softly executed.

This work, together with the others which Jacopo had produced, gave the artists, who could here compare his performance with those of Andrea del Sarto and of Franciabigio, the certainty that he would early attain to the perfection of his art. It was completed in the year 1516, and Puntormo received for it the payment of sixteen crowns, and no more.

Receiving a commission subsequently, from Francesco Pucci, if I remember rightly, for the Altar-piece of a chapel which Francesco had caused to be constructed in the church of San Michele Bisdomini, which is situate on the Via de’ Servi,—having received this commission, I say, Puntormo conducted the work with so beautiful a manner, and colouring so animated, that it is almost impossible to believe it a mere painting. In this picture, Our Lady, who is seated, presents the Divine Infant to St. Joseph, who regards the child with a smiling countenance, the animation and expression of which are astonishing. A child, representing St. John the Baptist, is equally beautiful, as are two other children who are upholding a Pavilion or Canopy. There is besides a figure of St. John the Evangelist in this work, a most beautiful old man, with one of St. Francis kneeling, which is absolutely alive. His hands are folded, the fingers of the one intertwined with those of the other; he remains with eyes and mind alike intent, contemplating the Virgin and Child, and does verily seem to breathe. Nor is the St. James beside him less beautiful, so that it is no marvel that this should be reputed the most admirable work ever executed by this extraordinary painter. I was at one time of opinion that it was after the exe-