Giorgio Vasari

“ Such was the misfortune which happened to the Florentine sculptor Benedetto da Rovezzano, [1] whose life we are now about to write, that the world may know how able and practised a master he was, and that all may be made aware of the extent to which he gave life [2] to marble, and may learn to appreciate the care and ability which enabled him to produce the admirable effects exhibited in his delicately-executed labours. ”

“ At a later period Benedetto was invited into England to take service with the king of that country, for whom he executed many works in marble and bronze, but more especially the tomb of his majesty. By these labours he obtained such large rewards from the liberality of that monarch, as to be supplied with the means of living at his ease for the remainder of his days. He returned to Florence, therefore ”

“ This artist gave his attention to architecture also, and it was after his design that the house of Messer Oddo Altoviti, near the church of Sant’ Apostolo in Florence, of which the above-named Messer Oddo was the patron and prior, was entirely rebuilt and restored. The principal door, which is in marble, was likewise executed by the hand of Benedetto, and over this door are the arms of the Altoviti in macigno stone, also by the same master: in this work the gaunt and meagre wolf is so freely carved that it appears to be almost wholly separated from the shield ”