Giorgio Vasari

“ GIULIANO DA MAIANO, SCULPTOR AND ARCHITECT OF FLORENCE.
[born 1432—died 1490.]
No unimportant error is that committed by fathers of families who refuse to permit the genius of their children to take its free course in their childhood, and will not suffer them to pursue the calling which is most in harmony with their inclinations. To compel the attention of the young towards a study for which they have no inclination, is manifestly to prevent them from ever attaining perfection in any thing ”

“ On the other hand, those who follow the bent of their nature, most commonly become excellent in their vocation, and render themselves eminent in the arts to which they devote themselves: a truth which was made clearly manifest in Giuliano Maiano. ”

“ Before this occurred, however, Giuliano had proceeded to Naples, Avhere he constructed the magnificent palace of the Poggio Reale [6] for king Alfonso, Avith the beautiful fountains and fine aqueducts which are in the court. In the city itself, likewise, Giuliano designed many splendid fountains, some of Avhich were constructed on the public squares, and others in private houses, but all are of beautiful and fanciful invention. ”