Giorgio Vasari

“ Enamoured of his profession, he attained to the knowledge of its various mysteries merely by the occasional observation of such painters as he saw preparing their colours or using their pencils. Guided by himself alone, and by the force of nature, he began boldly to handle the colours, adopting a very pleasing manner, and one very similar to that of his compatriot the new Apelles, although he had seen but a few of his works, which were at Bologna. ”

“ Let it suffice to remark, that adverse fate is but too frequently seen to turn the mind from its first object of pursuit, and does indeed sometimes compel the pilgrim into a totally opposite path. This happened also in the case of a companion of Yincenzio called Schizzone, who performed works in the Borgo which were highly commended, as he likewise did in the Campo Santo of Rome, and in San Stefano degf Indiani, but he also was led by the disorders of the soldiery to abandon the path of art, and in a very short time lost his life. ”

“ Experience has indeed amply taught us, that the same master has not always the same manner in different places, he cannot produce works of equal beauty in all situations, but rather accomplishes some better, and others worse, according to the quality of the air and place wherein he is labouring. ”

“ Now Timoteo was very fortunately and even honourably placed in Rome, yet he could not, as so many do, support the separation from his native place, to which his return was besides perpetually entreated by his kinsmen; he was moreover attracted tliitlier by the counsels of his friends, and these, with the prayers of his mother, who was now become old, induced him to leave Home and return to Urbino, much to the regret of Raphael, by whom, for his many good qualities, he was much beloved. ”

“ PIaving written the life of Andrea of Fiesole, I am next to set forth those of two excellent painters, Yincenzio of San Gimignano in Tuscany namely, and Timoteo of Urbino. [1] I will therefore first speak of Vincenzio, since it is the portrait of this artist which stands above. [2] But I propose to mention Timoteo immediately after because they were close contemporaries while both were disciples and friends of Raphael da Urbino. ”

“ On the front of the Epifani, which stands behind the Curia of Pompey, and near the Campo di Fiore, Vincenzio painted in like manner a representation of the Magi, whom he has depicted in the act of following the star. He executed a large number of other works in that city, [5] the air and position whereof would seem to be well calculated for causing the minds of men to produce beautiful and admirable labours. ”

“ They are all of great beauty and merit; among them is a sketch for the portrait of the illustrious Giuliano de' Medici, done with the pen; which was executed by Timoteo at the time when the above-mentioned Giuliano had repaired to the court of Urbino, and to its most renowned University. I have besides a Noli me tangere, and a figure of San Giovanni Evangelista, who is represented asleep, while the Saviour is praying in the Garden. [28] All these works are exceedingly beautiful. [29]
↑ Timoteo della Vite. ”

“ Of this he gave evidence in certain portraits of his friends and others, which were exceedingly well executed, insomuch that it appeared most desirable to the elder brother above-named, that a free development should be afibrded the genius of the youth, and furthermore that to this end it would be proper to remove him from the files and chisels, thus enabling him to devote himself wholly to the study of design ”