Great Masters in Painting: Perugino Part 15

=The Nativity.= 87 87. [236.]

Signed: =PETRVS PERRVSINVS.=

ITALY.

CHURCH OF ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS, a.s.sISI (near).

A fragment of a =Crucifixion= resembling No. 57 in the Accademia. The upper part was destroyed in 1700 during the demolition of the old choir, the lower part was restored by Castellani in 1830.

It is on the Portiuncula on the outside of the east wall.

ASCOLI.

Eastlake states that in a private collection at Ascoli is a "Virgin and Child surrounded by saints," brought from Mentone, near Citta di Castello, the upper part of which is in gold with reliefs of angels. If this is so it is quite different to anything else of Perugino's work.

BETTONA, CHURCH OF THE MINORITES.

A votive portrait, commissioned by a Perugian captain called Boto da Maraglia, who was taken prisoner by the French, but eventually released.

63 46 = 2 ft. 1 in. 1 ft. 6 in.

It is in distemper on canvas, and Boto, in full armour, is kneeling and looking up to St. Anthony, who holds in one hand a book, and in the other the fire.

The inscription is as follows: =BOTO DE MARAGLIA DE PEROGA QVANDO FO PREGIONE DE FRANCIOSE CHE FO ADI XI DE FEBRAIO MDXII PETRVS PINXIT DE CASTRO PLEBIS.=

In the same church is a =Madonna between St. Manno and St. Jerome=, with male and female patrons under her cloak, and with angels above. 63 46 = 2 ft. 1 in. 1 ft. 6 in.

BOLOGNA, PINACOTECA.

=The a.s.sumption.= Circa, 1496.

Signed: =PETRVS PERVGINVS PINXIT.=

BOLOGNA, CHURCH OF ST. MARTINO MAGGIORE.

=The Virgin in Glory.=

The Virgin is in the sky, standing, a child-angel is on either side, and around are cherub heads, while on either side are two kneeling angels. Below are the apostles grouped around the empty tomb. There are two trees, one on either side of the picture, clearly defined against the sky.

BORGO SAN SEPOLCRO, THE CATHEDRAL.

=The Ascension of Christ.=

_This picture, according to Vasari, was painted in Florence, and commissioned by the Abbot Simone de' Graziani, and conveyed to the cathedral at heavy cost on the backs of porters. There is a similar picture at Lyons very closely resembling this one._ See page 41.

There is a =Study= for three apostles in this picture in the Uffizi [251, 406.]

CANTIANO, CHURCH OF STA. MARIA DELLA COLLEGIATA.

=The Holy Family.=

CERQUETO.

=Figure of San Sebastian.=

The inscription recorded by Orsini ("Vita di P.P." p. 204) is as follows:

S popul de Cerqueto a fatta fare questa capella =A.D.= Maria Madalena per =C.H.= da peste gi usci liberare Cavandoli da le Hoscie =D= tal pena cusigli piaccia cuq =HV= operare che mi e semp ne abbia ad scampare e tutti qlli =C.H.= in lei =AN= devotion =AD= laude di Dio quisto sermone Petrus Perusinus pinxit =MCCCCLXXVIII=.

CITTa DELLA PIEVE, SANTA MARIA DE BIANCA.

=Fresco.= About 18 18.

The Madonna is seated on a throne under the usual open-roofed canopy, and bears the Infant Christ on her knees. Behind her are the cattle, and at her side St. Joseph with his staff. Two of the kings are kneeling and presenting their gifts. The third is bringing his in. Around are their companions and attendants, and in the background their retinue of hors.e.m.e.n. There is an angel flying toward the canopy, and below it is the star.

The picture is inscribed: =A.D. MDIIIJ.=

CITTa DELLA PIEVE, CHURCH OF ST. PETER.

=St. Anthony.= Fresco.

St. Anthony seated on a throne, one hand resting on a staff, the other raised in benediction. He is between St. Paul the Hermit and St. Marcellus (or Macarius), who stand beside him. High up above is the Eternal Father within a mandorla of cherubs.

CITTa DELLA PIEVE, THE CATHEDRAL.

Behind the High Altar--=Virgin in Glory=.

The Madonna is adored by St. Protasius, St. Peter, St. Paul, and St.

Gervasius, and the two Umbrian saints carry flags in their hands which bear the arms of Citta della Pieve.

_The picture was ordered in 1513 Marchisino Cristophori Mansii, prior of St. Gervasio._

It is inscribed: =PETRVS CRISTOFERI VANVTII DE CASTRO PLEBIS PINXIT MDXIII.=

First chapel on left--=Baptism of Christ by St. John=.

St. John is pouring the water from a sh.e.l.l over Our Lord's head. Two angels stand by, and above is the Dove of the Holy Spirit.