perfumed with incense, and the cloister vibrating
with psalms, would develop the mystic sentiment in such a mind.
And can we disregard tradition in face of such humility of life, such
beauty of work, exquisite refinement of feeling, and sweetness of
expression!
Among all the masters who have attempted to imbue the human form with
the divine spirit, he is perhaps the only one who succeeded in
producing pure celestial figures, and this with such marvellous
simplicity of line, that they have become the glory of his art.
Whether it be the Virgin enthroned amidst groups of cherubim sounding
heavenly trumpets, or Christ blessing the just and driving away
sinners; whether the martyrs supporting their torments with superhuman
resignation, the apostles preaching the gospel, or angels free in the
air and chanting celestial glories; the same spirit is in them all--at
once intense, devout, and utterly pure, in which the fervent believer
and the true artist are inseparably blended.
The reason is, that Fra Giovanni put into his work the flame of an
overpowering passion; under his touch features were beautified, and
figures animated with a new mystic grace. He threw himself entirely
into his art which thus became the spontaneous expression of his soul.
"It was the custom of Fra Giovanni," says Vasari, "to abstain from
retouching or improving any painting once finished. He altered
nothing, but left all as it was done the first time, believing, as he
said, that such was the will of God. It is also affirmed that he would
never take his pencil in hand until he had first offered a prayer. He
is said never to have painted a crucifix without tears streaming from
his eyes, and in the countenances and attitudes of his figures it is
easy to perceive proof of his sincerity, his goodness, and the depth
of his devotion to the religion of Christ."[1]
How this devout mind, full of the figurative sacred writings then
current, must have overflowed with visions, ecstasies and miracles!
And what tremors of awe must he have felt, in putting these visions
into colour! His Madonnas, their features suffused with candour and
humility, bend with maternal grace hitherto unwitnessed, in loving
contemplation of the Son, or--mothers in glory--they bow to receive
the homage of the Redeemer. His saints ecstatically gaze at luminous
celestial apparitions; his golden winged angels dance lightly beneath
the throne of their Lord or sound merrily the most var
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