th the scene of
the Adoration of the Magi is that in the predella of the tabernacle of
the Linen Weavers' Guild. Now, while the Adoration in the Cortona
predella is naturally and simply pourtrayed, that of Florence is
conventional and stiff, the vacuity of some figures and their actions
is very evident--therefore this similitude also reduces itself to mere
identity of subject. The Assumption of the Virgin also offers very
notable differences. The predella at Cortona is more intense and
severe, more simple and hence more grand; while the little panel in
the Uffizi shows that the effort to embellish the scene has been too
much for the artist, and the intensity of sentiment is greatly
lessened, being injured by useless accessories. In that of Cortona, on
the contrary, the figures of the Apostles who hold the sheet on which
the Virgin reposes are full of expression and natural in action, the
steep and mountainous background has severe and grand lines, as if to
emphasize the sadness of the scene. Here the artist felt and created,
there he merely repeated himself.

[Illustration: THE DEATH OF THE VIRGIN. (Cortona.)]

[Illustration: THE DEATH OF THE VIRGIN. (Uffizi Gallery.)]

The triptych, once on the great altar of the church of San Domenico,
now at a side altar on the right, has the Virgin seated in the centre
with the Holy Child upright on her knee, his right hand is raised in
act of benediction, and with his left he holds a rose. Around the
throne are four angels, one of which carries a basket of flowers. In
the side panels are St. Matthew, St. John Baptist, St. John the
Evangelist and Mary Magdalene. Above in the central compartment of the
triptych, is the Crucifixion and the two rounds on the sides represent
the Annunciation.

In the Chapel of Sant' Orsola in San Domenico at Perugia there was
formerly a panel picture now divided into many parts and much damaged.
This was painted by Fra Giovanni for the Chapel of San Niccolo de'
Guidalotti, and may now be seen in the Vannucci gallery at Perugia.

[Illustration: VIRGIN AND CHILD WITH SAINTS.
(Church of St. Domenico, Cortona.)]

The Virgin is enthroned with her Son on her knees, His right hand in
act of benediction, His left holding a half open pomegranate. At the
foot of the throne four angels are standing back, the two first lift
up a basket full of white and red roses, the others peep from behind
the throne of the Virgin who turns lovingly to her little Son, who