is San Pietro Martire,[1] with a considerable number of very beautiful figures.[2] In this work Benvenuto appears to have greatly changed from his first manner, that here to be remarked, is much bolder and less laboured. For the nuns of San Silvestro this master painted a picture, the subject of which is Christ Praying on the Mount, while the three Apostles are sleeping beneath. For the nuns of San Gabbriello he executed an Annunciation;[3] and for the Sisters of Sant’ Antonio he painted the Resurrection of Our Saviour Christ, as the picture of their high altar.
In the church of San Girolamo, Benvenuto painted a picture for the Frati Ingesuati; this represented the Divine Child in the Manger, and around him is a choir of exceedingly beautiful angels; it was placed on the high altar, and is esteemed an admirable work. In Santa Maria del Yado there is a well-composed and beautifully-coloured picture by the same hand; Our Saviour Christ namely, ascending into heaven, with the apostles standing beneath, and looking after their ascending Lord in profound astonishment.[4]
For the church of San Giorgio, which is a place belonging to the monks of Monte Oliveto, without the city, Benvenuto painted a picture in oil, the subject being the Magi offering their Adoration to the Infant Christ, and bringing to him presents of myrrh, incense, and gold. This is one of the best works ever executed by that master in the whole course of his life;[5] but all his productions greatly pleased the people of Ferrara, and caused them to employ him in the painting of pictures almost without number for their dwellings. He painted very many for monasteries also, as well as
- ↑ Peter the Martyr, a Dominican monk and Inquisitor of the thirteenth century, was a native of Verona. He was assassinated by one of the enemies whom his severities in his office had aroused against him, as he was proceeding from Milan to Como.
- ↑ Lanzi remarks that certain of the authorities declare the St. Peter the Martyr to have been painted in competition with Titian, and that if the work of the last-named master should be lost, that of Garofalo might take its place.
- ↑ There is an Annunciation by Garofalo in the Palace of the Magistracy at Ferrara, and another in the Pinacoteca of the Brera at Milan.
- ↑ This picture was taken to Rome, and in its stead was placed a copy by Bononi.
- ↑ These and other pictures taken from the suppressed churches and monasteries, are now deposited in the Palace of the Communal Magistracy.
