Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/473

Rh bear their dead to the burial, with one for the Company of Death, which is considered to be the handsomest bier in Siena: nay, I am even of opinion that it is the most beautiful one that can be found, not only because the work is one which of itself is truly admirable and worthy of praise, but also because things of that kind are rarely executed at much cost or with any great care.

In the chapel of Santa Caterina of Siena, in the church of San Domenico in that city, Giovan Antonio painted two stories, being one on each side of a tabernacle wherein is the head of the above-named Santa Caterina executed in silver. That on the right side of the tabernacle exhibits the saint when she is receiving the Stigmata from Our Saviour Christ, who is seen in the air above, she lying fainting in the arms of two of the Sisterhood who support her. The Sienese painter Baldassare Petrucci, examining this work, declared that he had never seen the figures of persons fainting depicted with more truth and perfection by any artist than by Giovan Antonio. And of a truth he had reason to say so, as may be seen not only in the painting itself, but also in the design for the same by the hand of Razzi, which we have in our book of drawings.

In the second story, that standing to the left of the abovementioned tabernacle, is depicted a certain event of the Saint’s life, the Angel of God namely bearing to her the host of the most holy communion; she, raising her head, beholds Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary in the air above her, while two of the Sisterhood stand in attendance behind.

Another picture on the wall to the right is the story of a criminal in the act of being led to his decapitation; and this man, refusing to be converted and despairing of the mercy of God, will not recommend himself to his Creator, when that