Annunziata, ordered by the sacristan of the order. A magnificent head,
full of grandeur and expression, and very clear in the flesh tints.
Empoli made several copies of it.
7. The _Madonna di San Francesco_, Andrea's masterpiece among
easel pictures. It was a commission from a monk of the order of
"Minorites of Santa Croce," who was intendant of the nuns of S.
Francesco, and advised them to employ Andrea. In grandiose simplicity
this surpasses Albertinelli's _Visitation_, in soft gradations and
rich mellowness of colour it equals Fra Bartolommeo at his best, for
tenderness in the attitude of the child it is quite Raphaelesque. The
Madonna is standing on a pedestal adorned with sculptured harpies. She
holds the Divine Child in one arm; its little hands are twined tenderly
round her neck, and it seems to be climbing closer to her. The two
children at her feet give a suggestive triangular grouping, while the
dignified figures of S. Francis and S. John the Evangelist form
supports on each side, and rear up a pyramid of beauty. Rosini's term
"soave" just expresses this picture, so fused and soft, rich yet
transparent in the colouring.
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