The figure of the crucified Saviour is nobly beautiful in its simple
and intelligent outline, firm design and life-like colouring. That of
St. Peter Martyr is full of character; it is a half figure holding
with his left hand the palm of martyrdom and a book which he rests on
his side; the first finger of the right hand is placed on his mouth,
indicating the silence of the cloister. St. Dominic has the book of
his rules in one hand and the discipline, or rope for scourging in the
other, as though to demonstrate that both moral and material influence
should govern a religious community. The "Christ of the resurrection"
shows His wounds, and St. Thomas Aquinas holds his book of theology in
both hands.

[Illustration: CHRIST ISSUING FROM THE SEPULCHRE.]

In the arch of the hospice the painter has represented two Dominicans
welcoming Christ, to remind the brethren that to offer hospitality to
the poor and the pilgrims, was the same as receiving Christ.

The Redeemer with his hat hanging behind His shoulders leans on His
pilgrim's staff; one of the brethren presses His left hand, and taking
Him by the right arm invites Him to rest. The heads of the two
devotees are full of character and expression, and on their faces beam
the joy and love they feel for their unexpected guest. The second monk
who clasps the Saviour's arm with both hands as though he can scarcely
believe his own eyes, is drawn with such natural feeling that nothing
greater can be desired or attained.

Equally beautiful is the pilgrim Christ with His long beard and curls
flowing on His shoulders; the whole scene in fact is given with great
nobility and exquisite grace.

[Illustration: CHRIST IN PILGRIM'S DRESS.]

In the chapter-house of the convent Fra Angelico repeated the scene of
the Crucifixion. Vasari writes of it thus: "Fra Giovanni was so
greatly beloved for his admirable qualities by Cosimo de' Medici,
that the latter had no sooner completed the church and convent of San
Marco, than he caused the good father to paint the whole story of the
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ on one of the walls of the chapter-house.
In this work figures of all those saints who have been heads and
founders of religious bodies, are mourning and bewailing at the foot
of the cross on one side; and on the other, St. Mark the Evangelist
beside the Mother of the Son of God, who has fainted at sight of the
crucified Saviour. Around the Virgin are the Maries, who are sorrowing
wit