Andrea del Sarto : Characters
Andrea del Sarto is a notable literary work by Robert Browning. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Andrea del Sarto.
Characters
Andrea del Sarto: He is the speaker of the poem. He is a real Renaissance painter. He is called the “faultless painter” because of his perfect technique. However, he feels sad because his art lacks soul. He wants love and peace from his wife. He blames himself and partly blames his wife for his failure.
Lucrezia: She is Andrea’s wife. Andrea loves her deeply. She is beautiful but selfish. She does not understand Andrea’s art. She controls him and may have a lover. She asks him to paint for money. Andrea still forgives her and stays with her.
Lucrezia’s Cousin: He is never directly seen. He waits outside the house. Andrea hints that he is Lucrezia’s secret lover. He often needs money to pay debts. Andrea paints to get money for him.
King Francis I of France: He was Andrea’s royal patron. Andrea worked in his court and felt proud. He gave Andrea love and support. Those were Andrea’s best days as a painter.
Rafael (Raphael): He was a great painter of the Renaissance. Andrea admires his soul in art. He compares himself to Rafael but feels lower. Rafael’s art is not perfect, but full of life.
Michelangelo (Agnolo): He was another great painter. Andrea respects him. He imagines Michelangelo praising his work. Andrea also wishes he could be like him.
Leonardo da Vinci: He is only mentioned at the end. Andrea dreams that in heaven, he will paint with Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo on the walls of New Jerusalem.
George Vasari: He is mentioned as the man who sent a painting to Andrea. He was a real artist and art biographer. He wrote about Andrea’s life.