interest of the scene, and yet marked the dignity to which he was
afterward to be raised, by investing him with the colors which
occurred nowhere else in the picture except in the dress which veils
the form of the Godhead. It is also to be noted as an interesting
example of the value which the painter put upon color only; another
composer would have thought it necessary to exalt the future apostle
by some peculiar dignity of action or expression. The posture of the
figure is indeed grand, but inconspicuous; Tintoret does not depend
upon it, and thinks that the figure is quite ennobled enough by being
made a key-note of color.
It is also worth observing how boldly imaginative is the treatment
which covers the ground with piles of stones, and yet leaves the
martyr apparently unwounded. Another painter would have covered him
with blood, and elaborated the expression of pain upon his
countenance. Tintoret leaves us under no doubt as to what manner of
death he is dying; he makes the air hurtle with the stones, but he
does not choose to make his picture disgusting, or even painful. The
face of the martyr is serene, and exulting; and we leave the picture,
remembering only how "he fell asleep."
GIOVANELLI, PALAZZO, at the Ponte di Noale. A fine example of
fifteenth century Gothic, founded on the Ducal Palace.
GIOVANNI E PAOLO, CHURCH OF ST.[72] Foundation of, III. 69. An
impressive church, though none of its Gothic is comparable with that
of the North, or with that of Verona. The Western door is interesting
as one of the last conditions of Gothic design passing into
Renaissance, very rich and beautiful of its kind, especially the
wreath of fruit and flowers which forms its principal molding. The
statue of Bartolomeo Colleone, in the little square beside the church,
is certainly one of the noblest works in Italy. I have never seen
anything approaching it in animation, in vigor of portraiture, or
nobleness of line. The reader will need Lazari's Guide in making the
circuit of the church, which is full of interesting monuments: but I
wish especially to direct his attention to two pictures, besides the
celebrated Peter Martyr: namely,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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