the subject is the Pieta, or Christ lying dead in the lap of the Virgin, with numerous figures around. This work is universally admitted to be most beautiful.[1] The same monks, therefore, considering themselves well served in this matter, determined that Francia should paint another in a house of theirs at Reggio in Lombardy, where he also depicted a Madonna, with many figures.[2] At Cesena likewise, in a church belonging to the Black Friars, this master painted a Circumcision of Christ, the colouring of which is exceedingly beautiful[3]I Nor would the people of Ferrara consent to remain behind their neighbours, but determined to adorn their cathedral with the works of Francia; whereupon they commissioned him to paint a picture with a large number of figures, and this they entitled the picture of Ognissanti (All Saints.ì[4]) For the church of San Lorenzo, in Bologna, Francia painted a Madonna, with two figures on each side, and two children beneath.[5] This work was highly extolled, and he had scarcely completed it, when he was called on to execute another in Sant’ lobbe (Job), representing a Crucifix, with Sant’ lobbe kneeling at the foot, and two figures at the sides.[6]
The fame and works of this master were efiectually extended over Lombardy, and from Tuscany also he received applications for his paintings, as he did from Lucca, whither he dispatched a picture representing Sant’ Anna, Our Lady, and many other figures, with Christ lying dead in the lap of the Virgin Mother. This work is in the Church of San Fridiano, and is considered by the people of Lucca to be one of great value.[7] For the Church of the Nunziata, in
- ↑ Now in the ducal gallery of Parma.
- ↑ The fate of this picture is not certainly known; but there is a work by Francia, the subject of which is similar in the Sanvitali Gallery in Parma.
- ↑ Now in the Palazzo Publico of Cesena.
- ↑ Still in the Cathedral of Ferrara.
- ↑ Now in Bologna, in the Ercolani Gallery. —See Malvasia, Felsina Pittrice, and the continuation of that work by Crespi—See also Calvi, Memorie di Francia, &c.
- ↑ This picture was in the Gallery of the Academy at Bologna, but has been sold, and is no longer in Italy.—Masselli.
- ↑ There is a work of this master, who is by no means to be considered a despicable artist, at Milan (in the Brera); a Madonna seated, namely, with the Divine Child standing upright on her knee. Rumohr saw one, also a Madonna, on a gold ground, iu the parish church of Borgo la Bastia,
