�������t¶��

There, in the abbey’s refectory, the colors of the 16th-century “Last Supper” fresco by Andrea del Sarto are still bright, unlike those of Leonardo’s famous “Last Supper” in Milan.

There is no known self-portrait of Nelli, although some art historians believe that her portrait of St Catherine of Siena, now hanging in the Museum of the Last Supper of Andrea del Sarto in Florence, may be inspired by her own features.

Exploring Gallery 49 and 56B is like stepping into a textbook of Italian Renaissance and Mannerist art with no fewer than seven glorious Raphaels, as well as works by Mantegna, Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Correggio, Andrea del Sarto, Bronzino and Parmigianino.

Speaking of the artist Andrea del Sarto, for instance, he writes that “standing in front of any of his paintings, an Eye will immediately recognize the Florentine brushwork . . . his line, his contours . . . his color palette, which is slightly acidic; the flesh tones are harsh, there is a certain coldness to the figures.”

Other artists here include Goya, Andrea del Sarto and Tiepolo.