If those saints had been left in Fra Bartolommeo's _Pieta_, the
two pictures would have had the very same figures, in each: but how
different the composition, feeling, and expression! The Frate's group
is a compact triangle; that of Andrea a scattered arrangement. The
Magdalen of the Frate is overwhelmed with the very excess of love and
grief, all of which is expressed intensely, yet her face is hidden;
that of Andrea is a mere woman dressed in flying scarf and flowing
garments, but with very little soul in her face.
The characteristics of the two painters can be well studied in these
works, so near together, so similar, and yet so different.
For the three works painted at Luco Andrea was paid ninety florins in
gold. The _Pieta_, was bought in later years by the Grand Duke
Leopold, and now adorns the Pitti Palace.
The _Visitation_ was placed in the church of the convent over a
presepio. [Footnote: In 1818 it was restored by Luigi Scotti and sold.]
Biadi gives the following document:--"Io Andrea d'Angiolo del Sarto, a
di 11 Ottobre 1528 ho ricevuto fiorini 80 d' oro di quei larghi
[_i.
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