Giorgio Vasari

“ But men of genius were always protected by the magnificent Lorenzo, and more especially did he favour such of the nobles as he perceived to have an inclination for the study of art; it is therefore no matter of astonishment that masters should have proceeded from this school, some of whom have awakened the surprise, as well as admiration of the world. And not only did Lorenzo provide the means of instruction, but also those of life for all who were too poor to pursue their studies without such aid ”

“ We know besides, that the less highly born have almost always to defend themselves from poverty, or even from want, and are consequently compelled to give their attention to mechanical occupations, not having opportunity for exercise of the intellect, or for attaining the highest degree of excellence in art: very justly, therefore, has it been remarked by the learned Alciato, when speaking of men of genius born in penury, and who cannot lift themselves to the height they desire to attain, because pressed down by poverty, however forcibly impelled upwards by the wings of their genius ”

“ The principal vocation of Torrigiano was that of the sculptor, but he also worked extremely well in terra-cotta, his manner being good and his works usually very beautiful. But he could never endure that any other should surpass himself, and often set himself to spoil with his hands such of the works of his fellow students as he perceived to display a degree of excellence to which he could not attain, when, if those whom he thus attacked resented the injury, he would often assail them further, and that with something harder than words. ”

“ Masaccio, Paolo Uccello, Fra Giovanni, Fra Filippo, and other masters, native and foreign; and of a truth, these arts can only be acquired by means of long-continued study in drawing, with frequent and careful imitation or copying of works by good masters; he who is not supplied with these facilities to progress, however powerfully aided by natural dispositions, can never attain perfection till a large portion of his life has been spent. ”

“ All these treasures, to say nothing of the noble ornament they formed to the garden, were as a school or academy for the young painters and sculptors, as well as for all others devoted to the arts of design, but more particularly for the young nobles, seeing that the magnificent Lorenzo held the firm conviction, that those who are born of noble race are, in all things, capable of attaining perfection more easily than, for the most part, are men of lower extraction ”

“ It is indeed certain, that when artists have attained to such an age that the eye can no longer be trusted, and the hand trembles, they do well, if they have secured the means of life, to content themselves with giving counsels to younger men. ”

“ The merchants above mentioned ultimately invited our artist to proceed to England where he executed many works in marble, bronze, and wood for the king, competing with other masters, who were natives of that country, to all of whom he proved himself superior. And now did Torrigiano receive so many rewards, and was so largely remunerated, that, had he not been a most violent, reckless, and ill-conducted person, he might there have lived a life of ease, and brought his days to a quiet close, but being what he was, his career was ended in a manner which was altogether the reverse of peaceful. ”

“ THE FLORENTINE SCULPTOR, TORRIGIANO. [1]
[born 1470—died 1522.]
Great is the force of angry disappointment in the spirit of him who, striving with sensitive pride to obtain the reputation of excellence in his profession, perceives some competitor of exalted genius suddenly rising up in the same art, and at the moment when he least expected such a result, not only equalling himself, but in the course of time even greatlv surpassing him; there is no iron so hard but that such men will gnaw it in their rage ”