Giorgio Vasari

“ Deign, then, to accept, to favour, and—if your exalted occupations permit—sometimes to read my book, having regard to the nature of the matters treated therein, and to the uprightness of my intention: for my object has not been to acquire praise as a writer; but rather, as an artist, to celebrate the industry, and revive the memory, of those who, having adorned and given life to these professions, do not merit that their names and works should remain the prey of death and oblivion, as they have hitherto been. ”

“ I have, besides, thought that the example of so many able men, with the various notices, of divers kinds, collected by my labours in this book, might be of no small advantage to those who study the arts, and would gratify all others who have taste for, and pleasure in them. ”

“ For, in addition to the aid and protection which I may hope from your Excellency as my liege lord, and as the protector of poor artists, it has pleased the Divine goodness to elect the most holy and most blessed Julius III to be his vicar upon earth—a pontiff who acknowledges and loves every kind of excellence, more especially in these most noble and difficult arts ”