Giorgio Vasari

“ THE FLORENTINE PAINTERS PESELLO AND FRANCESCO PESELLI.
[Flourished about 1390,—died after 1457.]
[born 1426—died 1457.]
It rarely happens that the disciples of distinguished artists, if they observe the precepts of those masters, do not themselves become very eminent; or if they do not surpass their instructors, they are at least, for the most part, found to resemble, and even equal them on all points. The earnest zeal of imitation, with assiduity in study, lends us power to approach the ability of him who has taught us the true mode of labouring in our calling ”

“ George he executed a picture of the Annunciation. In the church of San Jacopo, [10] at Pistoja, is a work by Pesello, representing the Trinity, with figures of San Zeno and San Jacopo; and in the houses of various citizens in dififerent parts of Florence, are numerous pictures, in square and circular forms, by the hand of the same master.
Pesello was a man of moderate habits and kindly disposition, always ready to serve his friends, and to aid them with cordial good will, in every way possible to him. He married early, and had a son named Francesco, but who was called Pesellino. ”

“ This artist continued under the discipline of Andrea to the age of thirty years, [4] learning, from his precepts, to become an excellent master; wherefore, having given a good proof of his ability, [5] he was appointed by the Signoria of Florence to paint a picture in tempera, the subject of which was the Magi bringing offerings to Christ, and the work was placed in the centre of the staircase of their palace. Pesello acquired great reputation by this picture, principally because he has executed many portraits in it, among others that of Donato Acciaiuoli. ”