Giorgio Vasari

“ These artists were born in the city of Florence, but few years after each other: [1] their father was a man of low condition, and not in easy circumstances; but he perceived, by various indications, the clear and just intelligence of his sons, and not having the means of obtaining a learned education for them, he placed Antonio with Bartoluccio Ghiberti, [2] then a very eminent master in his calling, to learn the art of the goldsmith, and Piero he sent to study painting with Andrea dal Castagno, who was at that time the best master in Florence. ”

“ ANTONIO AND PIERO POLLAIUOLO, PAINTERS AND SCULPTORS, OF FLORENCE.
[born 1433—died 1498.] [born 1443—died 1498, I.]
There are many who, with a timid mind, commence unimportant Avorks, but Avhose courage afterwards increasing with the facility obtained from practice, their power and efficiency increase in proportion, insomuch that, aspiring to more exalted labours, they gradually raise themselves by the elevation of their thoughts almost to heaven itself. ”

“ Nor is less care displayed in the figure of Antaeus, who, pressed by the arms of Hercules, is seen to be sinking and deprived of all power of resistance, his mouth is open, he is breathing his last sigh. In the second figure, Hercules is killing the Lion; he presses the left knee against the chest of the animal, whose jaws he has seized with both hands; grinding his teeth and extending his arms, he tears the mouth open and rives the creature asunder by main force, although the lion defends himself with his claws and is fiercely tearing the arm of his assailant. ”

“ The third picture, in which the hero is destroying the Hydra, is indeed an admirable work, more especially as regards the reptile, the colouring of which has so much animation and truth, that nothing more life-like could possibly be seen; the venomous nature, the fire, the ferocity, and the rage of the monster are so effectually displayed, that the master merits the highest encomiums, and deserves to be imitated in this respect by all good artists. [21]
For the brotherhood of Sant’ Angelo in Arezzo, Antonio painted a banner in oil, with a Crucifix on one side, and St. ”

“ But now, being impelled by shame rather than by the advantage to be obtained, he acquired a knowledge of the processes used in painting in the course of a few months, and became an excellent master. [10] Having joined himself entirely to Piero, they executed numerous paintings in concert; among others, a picture in oil at San Miniato al Monte, for the cardinal of Portugal, who was a great lover of painting. This work was placed on the altar of that prelate’s chapel, the figures depicted in it are those of the apostle St. ”