Giorgio Vasari

“ Therefore, without further insisting on that matter, I will only say, that in men, capable of such wickedness, there dwells a spirit, not merely savage and inhuman, but wholly cruel and fiend-like; nay, so utterly destitute of all worth are such beings, that they no longer merit the name of men, or even of animals, but are altogether unfit to breath the breath of life. ”

“ In the same picture is an octagonal temple, in the midst of a piazza, drawn in perspective: the building is isolated, it exhibits numerous columns, niches, &c., and the principal front is beautifully adorned with statues painted to imitate marbles. Around the piazza, magnificent buildings, in great variety, are represented, and on one side of these, the shadow of the temple, the scene, being one of sun-light, falls with admirable effect, all the difficulties incident to the subject being handled with infinite judgment. ”

“ Andrea, meanwhile, had painted the Death of Our Lady in oil on the front of the Chapel; and, whether moved by emulation of Domenico, or simply by the desire to make himself known for the able artist that he certainly was, he bestowed inexpressible care and pains on the work, more particularly on the bier, foreshortened, within which the Virgin is seen lying dead, [20] and which, though not more than a braccio and a half in length, appears to be fully three. ”

“ This gentleman then desired to know the boy, and having seen him, and found that he replied to his questions with considerable intelligence, he asked him if he would like to become a painter. To this Andrea made answer, that nothing could happen to him that would be so welcome, nor would any thing please him so much; wherefore, to the end that he might be made perfect in the art, Bernardetto took the boy with him to Florence, where he engaged him to work with one of those masters who were then esteemed the best. ”

“ This friendship, therefore, on the one side feigned, on the other sincere, proceeding to intimacy, Domenico, who was very fond of music, and played on the lute, passed the greater part of his evenings with Andrea, when they amused themselves in company, or went together to serenade their “inamorate;” all which greatly delighted Domenico, who sincerely regarding Andrea, instructed him in the method of painting in oil, which was at that time not known in Tuscany. ”

“ In the person of the Saviour, which is fast bound to the column with cords, it would seem that Andrea desired to exhibit the suffering endured by the flesh, while at the same time, the Divinity concealed in that body makes itself manifest in a certain nobility and splendour, by which Pilate, who is sitting among his councillors, appears to be moved, and seeks to discover an opportunity for setting him free. ”

“ The attitudes of the men who are scourging the Saviour in this fresco, are exceedingly fine, and display extraordinary force; their faces betray their rage and hatred, while that of Christ is equally expressive of patience and humility. ”

“ For, inasmuch as a virtuous emulation and the effort to acquire glory and honour, by surpassing men more distinguished than himself, is praiseworthy in the artist, as necessary to his progress and useful to society; insomuch, nay much more, is the wickedness of envy to be scorned and vituperated ”

“ The first writer who men*tions the work is the priest Francesco Albertini, who speaks of the beautiful Halls of Pandolfo Pandolfini, decorated by the hand of Andreino, with ‘sybils and famous men of Florence.’ After Vasari no writer named them, and this silence caused it to be believed that they were lost, but having been informed by our friend, the artist Emilio Burci, that they were still in existence, we proceeded to visit the place for the purpose of affording correct information to our readers concerning them. ”

“ In the upper part of the wall are figured six men and three women, all eminent persons, placed within a sort of square niche, supported by pilasters painted in perspective with much judgment. The figures are four braccia high, they stand upright, are clothed according to the grade and condition of each, and display a knowledge of designs and force of execution, which justify the remark of Vasari. ”

“ But a much finer work is that in which he has depicted the Virgin ascending the steps of the Temple, whereon are grouped many figures of mendicants: among these is one lifting his cruise, with which he smites one of his fellows on the head, an extremely fine figure, as indeed are all the others. [19] Andrea, having bestowed much study on the work, and being incited by his emulation with Domenico, finished every part with great care. ”