Giorgio Vasari

“ THE FLORENTINE PAINTER, FRANCESCO GRANACCI.
[born 1476—died 1543-4.]
Very great is the good fortune of those artists who, whether by their birth or by means of the conneetions which are formed in their childhood, are brought into close contact with those men whom Heaven hath elected to be distinguished and exalted above others in these our arts, seeing that infinite facilities are afforded to the acquirement of a good and fine manner by the habit of observing eminent men in their modes of operation, and by that of examining their completed works. ”

“ This was a kind of amusement peculiar to Florence, and is a very pleasing pastime; among other matters, it was not uncommon to see men standing almost upright on horseback in very short stirrups, and in that position they would break their lances with as much facility as do the warriors when they are fast seated in their saddles: all these things were done to celebrate the above-named arrival of Pope Leo in Florence, when Granacci displayed much richness of invention in the various habiliments and decorations required for that occasion. ”

“ Francesco Granacci, of whom there has already been some mention, was one of those who were placed by the magniflcent Lorenzo de’ Medici to study their art in his garden, whence it happened that, while yet but a boy, he had the opportunity of becoming acquainted wdth the power and the art of Michelagnolo; nay, when he had afterwards attained to a greater age, and began himself to produce rich results from his studies, he could never separate himself from the side of that great master, but constantly strove with the utmost respect and observance to follow in his footsteps ”