Orcagna put all his strength into the tabernacle of Or San Michele, which is a most sumptuous, beautiful and thoughtful shrine, yet owing to the darkness of the church is almost invisible.

Guides, it is true, will emerge from the gloom and hold lighted tapers to it, but a right conception of it is impossible.

The famous miraculous picture over the altar is notable rather for its properties than for its intrinsic beauty; it is the panels of the altar, which contain Orcagna's most exquisite work, representing scenes in the life of the Virgin, with emblematical figures interspersed, that one wishes to see.

Only the back, however, can be seen really well, and this only when a door opposite to it--in the Via Calzaioli--is opened.

It should always be open, with a grille across it, that passers-by might have constant sight of this almost unknown Florentine treasure.