is memory. His works are
seen in the galleries of Europe, and are always admired for their feeling,
beauty, and grace.

FRANCESCO ALBANI (1578-1660), born at Bologna, was another scholar of the
Caracci school, and a friend of Guido Reni. There are many works of his in
Rome. His pictures of landscapes with figures were his best works, and
beauty was his characteristic. His own home had all the advantages for
painting such works as he best succeeded in, such as Venus and the Loves,
maids and boys, children and Cupids in unending variety.

His villa was surrounded by charming views. His wife was very handsome,
and they had twelve lovely children, so lovely that it is said that other
artists besides himself made use of them for models.

There were several other Eclectics of some importance of whom we shall not
speak, but shall leave them with an account of ELISABETTA SIRANI
(1640-1665), who also was born at Bologna, and is worthy of attention on
account of her talents, while the story of her life adds another interest
than that which she has as an artist.

She was an imitator of the attractive manner of Guido Reni. The heads of
her madonnas and magdalens are charming, and, indeed, all her work speaks
of the innate refinement of her nature. Her industry was marvellous, since
she made one hundred and fifty pictures and etchings in a period of about
ten years. Much has been said of the rapidity with which she worked, and
one story relates that on a certain day the Duchess of Brunswick, the
Duchess of Mirandola, and the Duke Cosimo de Medici, with other persons,
met in her studio, and she sketched and shaded drawings of subjects which
they named to her, with a skill and celerity which astonished and
delighted her guests.

Her masterpiece is a picture of "St. Anthony Adoring the Virgin and
Child," which is in the Pinacoteca of Bologna. There are pictures by her
in the Belvedere and Lichtenstein Galleries at Vienna, in the Hermitage at
St. Petersburg, and in the Sciarra Palace, Rome.

In person Elisabetta Sirani was beautiful, and her character commanded the
affection of all who knew her. She was a sweet singer, and her biographers
increase her virtues by praising her taste in dress, and even her
moderation in eating! She was skilful in domestic affairs, and was in the
habit of rising early to perform her share in the household duties, never
allowing her art to displace any occupation which properly made a part of
her life.