Giorgio Vasari

“ Niccolo then repaired to Florence, where on his first arrival, and for several months after, he occupied himself with whatever works he could lay his hands on, being sorely beset by poverty and want, and having besides to compete with other young men, who, with severe study and heavy labour, nobly emulating each other, virtuously struggled to advance themselves in the art of sculpture. At length, and after many efforts, Niccolo became a tolerably good sculptor, when the wardens of Santa Maria del Fiore commissioned him to prepare two statues for the campanile of that church. ”

“ Here the confraternity of Santa Maria della Misericordia was found to have inherited large possessions from those who had died of the same pestilence, as we have related elsewhere, [2] and from different persons of that city, who desired to signalize their reverence and devotion towards that holy place, as well as their admiration and respect for the brotherhood thereof; by whom the sick were succoured and tended, and who also buried the dead and performed many other offices of mercy and piety throughout the entire duration of the pestilence, without fear or consideration for themselves. ”

“ In this figure, which represents one of the Evangelists seated, Niccolo proved himself to be a truly excellent sculptor, and greatly increased his reputation: the work was highly commended, because at that time better figures had not been seen in full relief, as they afterwards were. [7] Niccolo was, meanwhile, invited to Rome by command of Pope Boniface IX, as the most distinguished architect of his time, for the purpose of strengthening the castle of St. Angelo, and giving it a better form. On returning to Florence, he executed two small figures in marble for the Masters of the Mint ”