Among the Great Masters of Painting

ibition of the above-mentioned picture, he projected his " Cimabue's Madonna carried in procession through the streets of Florence." Leighton took the incident of the picture from Vasari, who says : " Cimabue afterward painted the picture of the Virgin for the church of Santa Maria Novella, where it is suspended on high, between the chapel of the Rucellai family and that of Bardi, of Vernio. This picture is of larger size than any figure that had beenpainted down to those times ; and the angels surrounding it made it evident that, although Cimabue still retained the Greek manner, he was, nevertheless, gradually approaching the mode of outline and general method of modern times. Thus it happened that this work was an object of so much admiration to the people of that day ? they having then never seen anything better ? that it was carried in solemn procession, with the sound of trumpets and other festal demonstrations, from the house of Cimabue to the church, he himself being highly rewarded and honored for it." This was painted in Rome, where young Leighton was a favorite in the distinguished circle of his countrymen, which included Thackeray and the Brownings. Thackeray, who watched the progress of the " Cimabue," was so impressed by it that he said to Mil- lais, " My boy, I have met in Rome a versatile young dog, called Leighton, who will one of these days run you hard for the presidentship." This picture, the first one exhibited at the Royal Academy by Lei...