DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22423#0211
Letter XXVI. LORD NORTHWICK'S COLLECTION.
199
Schools of Bologna and Ferrara.
Francesco Francia.—1. The Annunciation. Of very pecu-
liar conception. In the sky is the Almighty, with the descending
figure of the angeL Opposite to the Virgin is St. Francis. This
picture has all the intensity of that religious feeling, and, in the
saint, of that ecstatic fervour, so much prized in this painter.
Forms, glow of colouring, and mode of execution, all prove that
it belongs to the earlier time of the master. In these respects
it strongly recalls an inscribed picture dated 1495—the Virgin
and Child—which I saw in Lord Dudley's collection in 1835, but
is some years later in date.
2. Portrait of Bartholomew Bianchini, exhibited as a Raphael
at the British Institution in 1850, but which I immediately recog-
nised for a Francia ; not only does the style of art prove this, but it
is well known also that this Bianchini was one of Francia's greatest
friends and patrons, and celebrated his art in several sonnets.
Giacomo Francia.—1. The Virgin with the Child in the act
of benediction, here attributed to Francesco Francia, but the
emptiness of the otherwise beautiful forms proves it to be a pleas-
ing picture by Francia's son Giacomo, in imitation of the father's
later manner.
2. The Virgin and the Child, who is holding a bird : of great
transparency. Also a work by Giacomo Francia.
Garofalo.—1. The Martyrdom of St. Stephen. Altarpiece.
In such dramatic scenes the master is not happy ; the picture is
also in his brick-red tones.
2. The Virgin and Joseph adoring the Child ; the background
of a landscape character. Of his early, hard time.
Mazzolino da Ferrara.—Christ shown to the people ; a rich
composition, with the Saviour seen above in the background.
Dramatically conceived, and with all the glow of colour and
melting execution of the master. In very good preservation.
Dosso Dossi.—The Virgin and Child, and St. Joseph, in the
clouds ; a small, spiritedly conceived picture, of warm and careful
execution.
Innocenzo da Imola.—1. In the centre is the Apostle Paul;
at the sides St. Nicholas and St. Blaize : here called a Fra Bar-
tolommeo, but, in my opinion, a moderately good altar-piece by
Innocenzo da Imola.
2. I am inclined to say the same of a Virgin and Child, and the
199
Schools of Bologna and Ferrara.
Francesco Francia.—1. The Annunciation. Of very pecu-
liar conception. In the sky is the Almighty, with the descending
figure of the angeL Opposite to the Virgin is St. Francis. This
picture has all the intensity of that religious feeling, and, in the
saint, of that ecstatic fervour, so much prized in this painter.
Forms, glow of colouring, and mode of execution, all prove that
it belongs to the earlier time of the master. In these respects
it strongly recalls an inscribed picture dated 1495—the Virgin
and Child—which I saw in Lord Dudley's collection in 1835, but
is some years later in date.
2. Portrait of Bartholomew Bianchini, exhibited as a Raphael
at the British Institution in 1850, but which I immediately recog-
nised for a Francia ; not only does the style of art prove this, but it
is well known also that this Bianchini was one of Francia's greatest
friends and patrons, and celebrated his art in several sonnets.
Giacomo Francia.—1. The Virgin with the Child in the act
of benediction, here attributed to Francesco Francia, but the
emptiness of the otherwise beautiful forms proves it to be a pleas-
ing picture by Francia's son Giacomo, in imitation of the father's
later manner.
2. The Virgin and the Child, who is holding a bird : of great
transparency. Also a work by Giacomo Francia.
Garofalo.—1. The Martyrdom of St. Stephen. Altarpiece.
In such dramatic scenes the master is not happy ; the picture is
also in his brick-red tones.
2. The Virgin and Joseph adoring the Child ; the background
of a landscape character. Of his early, hard time.
Mazzolino da Ferrara.—Christ shown to the people ; a rich
composition, with the Saviour seen above in the background.
Dramatically conceived, and with all the glow of colour and
melting execution of the master. In very good preservation.
Dosso Dossi.—The Virgin and Child, and St. Joseph, in the
clouds ; a small, spiritedly conceived picture, of warm and careful
execution.
Innocenzo da Imola.—1. In the centre is the Apostle Paul;
at the sides St. Nicholas and St. Blaize : here called a Fra Bar-
tolommeo, but, in my opinion, a moderately good altar-piece by
Innocenzo da Imola.
2. I am inclined to say the same of a Virgin and Child, and the