Poem in MW, probably written mainly in spring 1853 (see O 5.291–2 and L 3.312–13). Whereas Greek art sought perfection unreachable by human beings, in late medieval and early Renaissance art the ‘rough-hewn, no-wise polished’ (126) leaves scope for development. Focusing (like the poet) on ‘man, man,—whatever the issue!’, the painters can ‘bring the invisible’, the spiritual, ‘full into play’ (148–51). Such art is ‘essentially democratic’ (Everest [1999], p. 222) and its undervaluing or neglect will end if *Florence again becomes a republic.