Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 05 (of 10): Andrea da Fiesole to Lorenzo LottoVasari, Giorgio
History
Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 05 (of 10): Andrea da Fiesole to Lorenzo Lotto
Vasari, Giorgio
Art, Italian; Artists -- Italy -- Biography
For S. Lorenzo, at the commission of Carlo Ginori, he painted a
panel-picture of the Marriage of Our Lady, which is held to be a most
beautiful work. And, in truth, with regard to his facility of method,
there has never been anyone who has been able to surpass him in masterly
skill and dexterity, or even to approach within any distance of him; and
he was so sweet in colouring, and varied his draperies with such grace,
and took such delight in his art, that he was always held to be
marvellous and worthy of the highest praise. Whosoever shall observe
this work must recognize that all that I have written is most true,
above all as he studies the nudes, which are very well conceived, with
all the requirements of anatomy. His women are full of grace, and the
draperies that adorn them fanciful and bizarre. He showed, also, the
sense of fitness that is necessary in the heads of the old, with their
harshness of features, and in those of women and children, with
expressions sweet and pleasing. He was so rich in invention, that he
never had any space left over in his pictures, and he executed all his
work with such facility and grace, that it was a marvel.
For Giovanni Bandini, also, he painted a picture with some very
beautiful nudes, representing the scene of Moses slaying the Egyptian,
wherein were things worthy of the highest praise; and this was sent, I
believe, into France. And for Giovanni Cavalcanti, likewise, he executed
another, which went to England, of Jacob receiving water from the women
at the well; this was held to be a divine work, seeing that it contained
nudes and women wrought with supreme grace. For women, indeed, he always
delighted to paint transparent pieces of drapery, head-dresses with
intertwined tresses, and ornaments for their persons.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account