Giorgio Vasari

“ In Santa Maria Novella, Desiderio constructed the marble sepulchre of the Beata Villana, [5] a work wherein there are certain little angels which are very graceful, as is the portrait of the Beata herself, taken from the life. She does not seem to be dead, but merely asleep. For the Nuns of the Murate likewise he executed a small figure of the Virgin, to stand on a column in a tabernacle, which is also in a very pleasing and graceful manner, insomuch that both these works were always held in the utmost esteem, and are still very highly prized. ”

“ Had not death so prematurely deprived the world of that powerful mind which thus laboured with such admirable effect, Desiderio would, without doubt, have profited to such extent by the experience of the future, as to have surpassed all others, as much in knowledge of art as he did in grace. ”

“ Ma in van, perchè costui
Diè vita eterna ai marmi, e i marmi a lui. [13]
The works of Desiderio were performed about the year 1485. He left the sketched figure of a Magdalene in penitence, which was finished at a later period by Benedetto da Maiano, and is now in the church of Santa Trinita at Florence, on the right as you enter the church. [14] This figure is beautiful beyond the power of words to express. In our book are certain drawings by Desiderio, which are very fine; his portrait I have obtained from some of his connections in Settignano. ”