of art. The problem is that of reconciling two opposing forces in religious art-the flesh and spirit.Andrea Del Sarto also deals with art and artists life. The poem presents a study of the mind of an artist who is dragged by the sense of failure and frustration. Andrea has been a faultless painter, but he failed so far as the spirituality of art was concerned. The main reason of his failure is his ill-fated marriage, marriage with a loveless woman named Lucrezia. From the technical point of view he is perfect but his paintings are not spiritually developed. Andrea claims that the paintings of Michael Angelo, Rafael and Lorenzo are technically imperfect but their art is life like. Andrea lacks the elevation of mind, which gives animation to an artists work:And Im the weak -eyed bat no sun should temptOut of the grange whose four walls make his world.-At the end of the poem Andrea comforts himself with the thought that god will judge his intentions and give him reward for his artistic endeavour.Brownings most celebrated poem My Last Duchess deals with art and sculpture. This poem is another example of Brownings studies of the Renaissance. In giving the portrait of the Duke of Ferrara with all his pride and cruelty, Browning made some commentary on art and artists. The poem is a monologue spoken by t he Duke who is a widower. Now he is presenting the portrait of his former wife to the envoy of the court, whose daughter intends to marry. The portrait of the Last Duchess was painted by Fra Pandolf and so skillfully painted that the Duchess seems to be alive. As the Envoy examines the portrait, a questioning expression comes on his face. The Duchess has an earnest impassioned yet shining glance in her eyes. The Envoy like the previous visitors wants to know how that look comes in to the eyes of the Duchess. Explaining to the envoy about the blush of joy on the Duchess cheek, he says that it was caused not by the presence of husband only. It ...
