_Michele da Verona_ (Veronese: 1470-1523?)
Michele, a pupil of Domenico Morone (1211), was a contemporary
and sometimes an assistant of Cavazzola (735). The works of
the two are easily distinguishable. Michele, says Morelli,
"is more pointed in the foldings of his draperies, as well as
in the fingers of his hands, which are always rather stumpy
in Cavazzola. In conception, however, Cavazzola is far above
Michele, and also more elegant and noble in his drawing"
(_German Galleries_, p. 54). Many of Michele's works are to be
seen at Verona. His landscape backgrounds, as in the present
picture, are interesting.
Coriolanus, a noble Roman, so called from Corioli, a city of the
Volscians he had taken, bore himself haughtily, and was banished.
Nursing his revenge, he threw himself into the arms of the Volscians,
determined henceforth to bear himself "As if a man were author of
himself, And knew no other kin," and advanced at their head upon Rome.
The Romans, in terror, endeavoured in vain to appease him, and at last
sent out his wife, Volumnia, with her child, here kneeling before him,
and his mother, Veturia (Volumnia in Shakespeare's play), to intercede.
In their presence "the strong man gave way; he throws himself on his
knee, and is restored once more to human love"--
Like a dull actor now,
I have forgot my part ... O, a kiss
Long as my exile, sweet as my revenge!
Now, by the jealous queen of heaven, that kiss
I carried from thee, dear; and my true lip
Hath virgin'd it e'er since. Ye gods! I prate,
And the most noble mother of the world
Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i' the earth.
SHAKESPEARE: _Coriolanus_, Act v. Sc. 3.