The Lives of the Painters, Sculptors & Architects, Volume 1 (of 8)Vasari, Giorgio
History
The Lives of the Painters, Sculptors & Architects, Volume 1 (of 8)
Vasari, Giorgio
Art, Italian; Artists -- Italy -- Biography
Campo Santo, the Coronation of Our Lady by Jesus Christ, with many
angels, in most beautiful attitudes and very finely coloured. For the
chapel of the sacristy of St Francesco at Pisa, Taddeo also painted a
picture in tempera of the Madonna and some saints, signing his name
to it and the year 1394. About the same time he did some pictures in
tempera at Volterra, and another picture at Monte Oliveto, while on
the wall he did an Inferno, following the arrangement of Dante as
regards the division of the damned and the nature of their
punishment, but as regards the site he either could not or would not
imitate him, or perhaps he lacked the necessary knowledge. He also
sent to Arezzo a picture which is in S. Agostino containing a
portrait of Pope Gregory IX., the one who returned to Italy after the
papal court had been so many decades in France. After these things he
returned to Siena, but did not make a long stay there as he was
invited to Perugia to work in the church of S. Domenico. Here he
painted the whole of the life of St Catherine in the chapel dedicated
to that saint, and did some figures in S. Francesco beside the
sacristy door, which may still be discerned to-day, and are
recognisable as being by Taddeo, because he always retained the same
manner. Shortly after, in the year 1398, Biroldo, lord of Perugia,
was assassinated. Taddeo accordingly returned to Siena, where he
devoted constant work and steady application to the study of art, in
order to make himself a worthy painter. It may be affirmed that if he
did not perhaps attain his purpose, it was not on account of any
defect or negligence on his part, but solely because of an
obstructive malady which prevented him from ever realising his
desire. Taddeo died at the age of fifty-nine, after having taught the
art to a nephew of his called Domenico. His paintings were done about
the year of grace 1410. Thus, as I have said, he left Domenico
Bartoli, his nephew and pupil, who devoted himself to the art of
painting, and painted with superior skill. In the subjects which he
represented he exhibited much more wealth and variety in various
matters than his uncle had done. In the hall of the pilgrims of the
great hospital of Siena there are two large scenes in fresco by
Domenico, which contain prospectives and other ornaments, composed
with considerable ingenuity. It is said that Domenico was modest and
gentle and of a singularly amiable and liberal courtesy, which did no
less honour to his name than the art of painting itself. His works
were executed about the year of our Lord 1436, and the last were in
S. Trinita at Florence, a picture of the Annunciation and the high
altar picture in the church of the Carmine.
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