Giorgio Vasari

“ Invention has ever been and ever will be considered the true mother of architecture, painting, and poetry; nay, rather of all the higher arts, and of all the wonders produced by the genius of men. To her it is that we owe the ever-varying fantasies and caprices of those fertile minds, whose best delight is in the search after variety in all things. ”

“ The Florentine painter Lippo was a man of most rare and varied invention; however unfortunate his works, and however unhappy his life, which did not long endure. He was born in Florence about the year of our salvation 1354, and although it was somewhat late before he commenced the study of painting, since he had already attained the period of manhood, he was yet so well aided by nature, which disposed him to the study of art, and by his genius, which was most admirable, that he made wonderful progress in a very short time. ”

“ Within the cloister of the same church, Lippo painted a vision of Sant’ Antonio, of most original invention, and beautifully executed; the saint is depicted as contemplating all the allurements and snares of the world, by which the appetites and desires of men are taken captive, and themselves led away after the various delights and enjoyments of earth; a work which he completed with infinite ability. [6] This master executed numerous mosaics also for different parts of Italy; and in the Guelphic quarter of Florence, he produced a figure in this manner, the head of which was glazed. ”