Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 03 (of 10): Filarete and Simone to MantegnaVasari, Giorgio
History
Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 03 (of 10): Filarete and Simone to Mantegna
Vasari, Giorgio
Art, Italian; Artists -- Italy -- Biography
Being then summoned to Rome by Pope Sixtus IV to paint his chapel, in
company with other masters, he painted there Christ calling Peter and
Andrew from their nets, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the
greater part of which has since been spoilt in consequence of being over
the door, on which it became necessary to replace an architrave that had
fallen down. There was living in Rome at this same time Francesco
Tornabuoni, a rich and honoured merchant, much the friend of Domenico.
This man, whose wife had died in childbirth, as is told in the Life of
Andrea Verrocchio, desiring to honour her as became their noble station,
had caused a tomb to be made for her in the Minerva; and he also wished
Domenico to paint the whole wall against which this tomb stood, and
likewise to make for it a little panel in distemper. On that wall,
therefore, he painted four stories--two of S. John the Baptist and two
of the Madonna--which brought him truly great praise at that time. And
Francesco took so much pleasure in his dealings with Domenico, that,
when the latter returned to Florence rich in honour and in gains,
Francesco recommended him by letters to his relative Giovanni, telling
him how well the painter had served him in that work, and how well
satisfied the Pope had been with his pictures. Hearing this, Giovanni
began to contemplate employing him on some magnificent work, such as
would honour his own memory and bring fame and profit to Domenico.
Now it chanced that the principal chapel of S. Maria Novella (a convent
of Preaching Friars), formerly painted by Andrea Orcagna, was injured in
many parts by rain in consequence of the roof of the vaulting being
badly covered. For this reason many citizens had wished to restore it,
or rather, to have it painted anew; but the owners, who belonged to the
family of the Ricci, had never consented to this, being unable to bear
so great an expense themselves, and unwilling to allow others to do so,
lest they should lose the rights of ownership and the distinction of the
arms handed down to them by their ancestors. Giovanni, then, being
desirous that Domenico should make him his memorial there, set to work
in this matter, trying various ways; and finally he promised the Ricci
to bear the whole expense himself, to give them some sort of recompense,
and to have their arms placed in the most conspicuous and honourable
place in that chapel. And so they came to an agreement, making a
contract in the form of a very precise instrument according to the terms
described above. Giovanni allotted this work to Domenico, with the same
subjects as were painted there before; and they agreed that the price
should be 1,200 gold ducats of full weight, with 200 more in the event
of the work giving satisfaction to Giovanni. Thereupon Domenico put his
hand to the work and laboured without ceasing for four years until he
had finished it--which was in 1485--to the very great satisfaction and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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