Giorgio Vasari

“ And of a truth, it is seldom that Nature gives birth to a man of genius, who is at the same time an artist of retired habits, without also providing him, after a certain period, with the means of repose and a quiet life, as she did for Baccio, who ultimately obtained all that was demanded by his moderate desires, as will be related in its due place. ”

“ Fra Bartolommeo painted a figure in oil over the door which leads into the sacristy of the Convent, the subject being San Vincenzio, who was a Monk of his own order, preaching on the rigours of the Divine Justice. In the attitude of this figure, but still more in the head, there is all that sternness and imposing severity, usually manifest in the countenance of the preacher who is labouring to induce men, obstinate in their sins, to amendment of life, by setting before them the terrors of the justice of God ”

“ The Saint is represented as writing, when the Virgin appears to him, holding the Divine Child in her arms, and borne by numerous figures of children and angels, all painted by the master with exceeding delicacy. Beholding this appearance, St. Bernard is lost in adoring contemplation, and there is a certain inexpressible radiance of look, which is so to speak, celestial, in his countenance, and which seems, to him who considers the picture attentively, to become diffused over the whole work. ”

“ Fra Bartolommeo was then painting at San Marco, in Florence, a picture with innumerable figures, which is now in the possession of the King of France; [15] it was presented to that monarch after having been kept to be shown in San Marco for several months. He afterwards painted another in the same convent, to replace that which was sent into France; this last also has an infinite variety of figures, among which are children hovering in the air, and holding an open pavilion or canopy; they are very well drawn, and in such powerful relief, that they appear to stand out from the picture ”

“ About this time the painter, Raffaello da Urbino, came to study [13] his art in Florence, when he taught Fra Bartolommeo the first rules of perspective, [14] and was constantly in his company, being desirous of acquiring the monk’s manner of colouring; the harmony perceptible in his works, and his mode of treating them having pleased Katfaello very greatly. ”

“ This last is in that portion of the picture which represents the blessedness of the just. The work was all executed in fresco, both by Fra Bartolommeo and Mariotto; it has maintained and continues to maintain its freshness admirably, and is held in great estimation by artists, seeing that, in this manner, there scarely could be anything better effected by the art of the painter. ”

“ The tabernacle is now in the study or writing-chamber of the Duke Cosimo, a place wherein are kept all the small bronze figures from the antique, with the medals and other rare pictures in miniature, possessed by his most illustrious Excellency; who treasures it as an extraordinary work of art, which in fact it is. ”

“ The design of the master has, nevertheless, made the shame, despair, and dread of eternal death, as clearly manifest in the expression of their faces, as are content and joy in the countenances of those who are saved, although the picture, as we have said, was left unfinished, our artist having a greater inclination for the practices of religious worship than for painting. ”

“ At the entreaty of Gerozzo Dini, the friend and companion of Fra Bartolommeo—so did the prior call Baccio della Porta, on investing him with the habit—Mariotto Albertinelli undertook the work abandoned by Baccio, and continued the paintings of the chapel in the cemetery, to their completion. In this work he placed the portrait of the then Director, with those of certain Monks, who were eminent for their knowledge of surgery. He added the likeness of Gerozzo himself, who had caused the painting to be executed, with that of his wife, whole-length figures ”

“ There are also numerous drawings in chiaro-scuro by Fra Bartolommeo still remaining, the greater part of which are now in the monastery of Santa Caterina of Siena, which is situate on the Piazza of vSan Marco; they are in the possession of a nun, [40] who occupies herself with painting, and of whom mention will be made in due course. ”

“ While abiding in that place he finally arrived at the wished for power of accompanying the labour of his hands with the uninterrupted contemplation of death. For the church of San Martino in Lucca this master painted a picture of the Madonna, with an angel playing on a lute at her feet; San Stefano stands on one side of the Virgin, and San Giovanni on the other; the work is a good one, whether as regards design or colouring, and afibrds full proof of the master’s ability. ”

“ Flor., 1832-8. ↑ Fra Paolo, of Pistoja, was of the Signoracci family; his father, Bernardino, was also a painter, and follower of the manner of Domenico Ghirlandajo. This master died at Pistoja in the year 1547.—Ibid. ↑ Tolomei, Guida di Pistoja, speaks of two only as now existing in the church of San Domenico, an Adoration of the Magi and a Crucifix, with the Madonna and St. Thomas Aquinas. There is, however, a third in the Sacristy, representing the Madonna, with the Saviour, Santa Caterina of Siena, Santa Maria Maddalena, and San Domenico ”