work, and the rather as he had the same manner with Fra Bartolommeo. The cartoon prepared by the latter was still there, with other designs, and Mariotto, being entreated by Fra Bartolommeo also, who had received money on account of the painting, and was troubled in conscience at the violation of his promise, at length agreed to finish it. With great love and much diligence he then continued the work, and brought it to a most successful conclusion, insomuch that many, not knowing the facts of the case, would suppose the whole to have been executed by one sole hand:[1] this performance therefore obtained Mariotto very great reputation in the art.
At the Certosa[2] of Florence, Mariotto Albertinelli painted a Crucifix, with our Lady and the Magdalen at the foot of the Cross, while above them are angels receiving the blood of Christ. This picture is in the Chapter House, it is painted in fresco with zealous care, and is very well finished.[3]
Now it chanced that certain of the young men who were studying their art with Mariotto, and worked with him at the Certosa, were dissatisfied with the table supplied to them by the monks, who, as they thought, did not treat them becomingly. Without the knowledge of their master, the disciples thereupon made keys, resembling those of the windows looking into the cells of the monks, and through which they were accustomed to receive their food; by this means they contrived to steal the pittance of the inhabitants, now robbing one and now another. This caused a great outcry among the brethren, for in matters of the mouth a monk is quite as sensitive as any other man, but as the young painters acted their part with great dexterity, and were considered to be very respectable well-conducted persons, they did not attribute the blame to them, but on the contrary accused certain of the monks, whom they believed
