Giorgio Vasari

“ If the debt which the richly-endowed artist owes to Nature be a large one—as it doubtless is—still greater is the amount of gratitude due from us to him, seeing that by his cares our cities are enriched with noble erections for use and beauty, as well as with the graceful embellishment of painting, and other ornaments. It is true that artists most commonly acquire fame and riches for themselves by their labours, as did Ambruogio Lorenzetti, a painter of Siena. ”

“ And of a truth, it would not be possible that words should sufficiently declare the extent to which modesty, and an irreproachable walk in life, add honour to all the arts, but particularly to those which derive their birth from the intelligence of noble and exalted minds; wherefore every artist should be careful to render himself no less acceptable for the purity of his conduct than for his excellence in art. Finally, and towards the end of his life, Ambruogio painted a picture at Monte Oliveto di Chiusuri, which greatly increased his fame ”

“ On one of the walls of the great hospital also, he painted the Nativity of the Virgin in fresco, with a second picture, representing her approaching the Temple with others of her age. [4] The chapter-house of the Angustine friars, in the same city, was also enriched by Lorenzetti, who painted the Apostles on the ceiling of that edifice. Each holds a tablet, whereon that part of the Creed composed by the said Apostle is written. Beneath each figure is a small representation, which exhibits in painting the subject written on the scrolls above. ”