Piero at Luco in
Mugello, where he retired with his wife and her relations, and his
pupil Raffaelo. They spent a very pleasant summer: the nuns made much
of his wife and her sisters, and he passed his time in earnest
painting. The fruits of his labour are a _Pieta_, a _Visitation_, and
a _Head of Christ_--almost a replica of the one in the SS. Annunziata.
The _Pieta_ is full of expression and feeling, but more realistic
and less dignified than that of Fra Bartolommeo, which now hangs on the
same wall of the Hall of Apollo at the Pitti.
In colouring also there is a great contrast between the two, that of
Fra Bartolommeo being deep, rich, and mellow, while Andrea's is more
profuse, diffused, and wanting in depth of shadow.
S. John and the Virgin raise the dead Saviour, the Magdalen and S.
Catherine weep at his feet; S. Peter and S. Paul at the back express
their grief in the manner natural to their characters. S. Peter, in his
vehemence, flings up his arms in a madness of sorrow. S. Paul, with
more dignity, is half stupefied with the intensity of woe.
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