The companion picture is the most popular of all--the Birth of the Virgin--certainly one of the most charming interiors in Florence.

Here again we have portraits--no doubt Tornabuoni ladies--and much pleasant fancy on the part of the painter, who made everything as beautiful as he could, totally unmindful of the probabilities.

Ruskin is angry with him for neglecting to show the splashing of the water in the vessel, but it would be quite possible for no splashing to be visible, especially if the pouring had only just begun; but for Ruskin's strictures you must go to "Mornings in Florence," where poor Ghirlandaio gets a lash for every virtue of Giotto.

Next--above, on the left--we have the Presentation of the Virgin and on the right her Marriage.

The Presentation is considered by Mr.Davies to be almost wholly the work of Ghirlandaio's assistants, while the youthful Michelangelo himself has been credited with the half-naked figure on the steps, although Mr.Davies gives it to Mainardi.