Giorgio Vasari

“ Peter, but all were destroyed when the old building was demolished, to make way for the new church. Pietro Cavallini was diligent and careful in all his undertakings; he spared no effort for the acquirement of honour and fame as an artist; he was, moreover, a good man and devout Christian, most charitable to the poor, and much beloved for his excellence, not only in his native city of Rome, but by all who knew either himself or his works. In the latter years of his life he devoted himself so earnestly to religion, and lived so exemplary a life, that he was esteemed almost a saint. ”

“ In the air are many angels, who, resting on their wings, in various attitudes, are weeping bitterly; some strike their breasts, others wring their hands, while some fold them, as in prayer, but all display excessive grief for the death of the Son of God. ”

“ Nor let any one suppose that a man ever attains a truly honourable station, without purity of life and the fear of God, for that is well-nigh impossible, as our daily experience fully proves. Giovanni of Pistoja, who painted some pictures, but of no great importance, in his native city, was a disciple of Pietro Cavallini. The latter died at Rome, in the 85th year of his age, of pleurisy, caused by his labours in fresco, and by the damp to which he was exposed, in a too long continued exercise of his occupation. ”