_La Capella del Sacramento, or the Chapel of St. Nicholas._--Giotto
left one scholar at Assisi whose work it is easy to discover, but who,
as far as name and personality are concerned, is unknown, and shares
in the general mystery which surrounds both the builders and painters
of San Francesco. All we know is that he followed his master's style
and great laws of composition even more closely than Taddeo Gaddi, and
that he possessed much charm and originality. By the kind help of Mr
Bernhard Berenson we have been able to group together some of the
works of this interesting artist, who was evidently working at Assisi
between 1300 and 1310 when he executed the last nine frescoes of the
Upper Church illustrating the death and the miracles of St. Francis,
decorated the Capella del Sacramento in the Lower Church with the
legend of St. Nicholas, and painted a fine Crucifixion in the
Confraternity of San Rufinuccio (see chap. x). There is a very
delightful panel picture also by him in the corridor of the Uffizzi
(No. 20 in the corridor), with eight small scenes from the life of St.
Cecilia.
In a fresco over the arch on the inside of the Capella del Sacramento
are portraits of the donors of the chapel, Cardinal Napoleone Orsini,
who is being presented to Christ by St. Francis, and his younger
brother Giovanni (below him is written Dñs Joñs Gaetanus frater ejus),
presented by St. Nicholas. It helps to date the decoration of the
chapel, for we know that Giovanni Orsini received the cardinal's hat
in 1316, while here he is represented in the white dress of a deacon
confirming the general opinion that these frescoes must have been
painted before that date.[78]
St. Nicholas of Myra, generally known as St. Nicholas of Bari, both
during his life and after his death was forever coming to the
assistance of the oppressed; he did not even object to be the patron
saint of drunkards and thieves, as well as of maiden virtue. He can
easily be recognised in art by the three purses or golden balls which
are always placed at his feet, in reference to the first kind action
he performed when a wealthy young noble. This incident is charmingly
recorded in the chapel upon the right wall near the entrance. Three
sleeping maidens are lying by their father's side, and St. Nicholas,
who has heard of their poverty, throws in three bags of gold as he
passes by the open window. This charitable deed has made him a famous
saint; when Dante is in Purgatory he hears the spirit of Hugh Capet
recounting various acts of virtuous poverty and generosity, among
which
"... it spake the gift
Of Nicholas, which on the maidens he
Bounteous bestow'd, to save their youthful prime
Unblemish'd...."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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