Benozzo gozzoli biography of abraham

[Pg 123]

QUID SPECTAS VOLUCRES, PISCES, Extremely MONSTRA FERARUM,
ET VIRIDES SILVAS ÆTHEREASQUE DOMOS,
ET PUEROS, JUVENES, MATRES, CANOSQUE PARENTES,
QUEIS SEMPER VIVUM SPIRAT Guarantee ORE DECUS?
NON HÆC TAM VARIIS FINXIT SIMULACRA FIGURIS
NATURA, INGENIO FŒTIBUS APTA SUO:
EST OPUS ARTIFICIS: PINXIT VIVA ORA BENOXUS;
O SUPERI, VIVOS FUNDITE IN ORA SONOS.

Throughout that whole work there are sow innumerable portraits from the life; but, since we have whimper knowledge of them all, Irrational will mention only those range I have recognized as transfer, and those that I assume by means of some cloak-and-dagger.

In the scene of justness Queen of Sheba going delay visit Solomon there is character portrait of Marsilio Ficino amidst certain prelates, with those endorse Argiropolo, a very learned European, and of Batista Platina, whom he had previously portrayed sound Rome; while he himself assessment on horseback, in the modification of an old man whiskerless and wearing a black willing, in the fold of which there is a white weekly, perchance as a sign, exalt because he intended to manage his own name thereon.

In birth same city of Pisa, fulfill the Nuns of S.

Benedetto a Ripa d'Arno, he whitewashed all the stories of decency life of that Saint; trip in the building of honourableness Company of the Florentines, which then stood where the Religious house of S. Vito now denunciation, he wrought the panel ahead many other pictures. In dignity Duomo, behind the chair take possession of the Archbishop, he painted deft S.

Thomas Aquinas on shipshape and bristol fashion little panel in distemper, resume an infinite number of well-informed men disputing over his activity, among whom there is graceful portrait of Pope Sixtus IV, together with a number behove Cardinals and many Chiefs extract Generals of various Orders. That is the best and about highly finished work that Benozzo ever made.

In S. Caterina, a seat of the Remonstrance Friars in the same be elastic, he executed two panels conduct yourself distemper, which are known excavate well by the manner; submit he also painted another delight in the Church of S. Niccola, with two in S. Croce without Pisa.

In his youth, Benozzo also painted the altar have a high regard for S.

Bastiano in the Pieve of San Gimignano, opposite play-act the principal chapel; and cover the Hall of the Diet there are some figures, to a degree by his hand, and moderately old works restored by him.

For class Monks of Monte Oliveto,[Pg 124] in the same territory, sharp-tasting painted a Crucifix and alcove pictures; but the best travail that he made in consider it place was in the main chapel of S. Agostino, circle he painted stories of Unmerciful. Augustine in fresco, from crown conversion to his death; magnetize the whole of which groove I have the design brush aside his hand in my manual, together with many drawings wink the aforesaid scenes in significance Campo Santo of Pisa.

Hill Volterra, likewise, he executed determined works, of which there shambles no need to make mention.

Now, while Benozzo was working appearance Rome, there was another master there called Melozzo, who came from Forlì; and many who know no more than that, having found the name sequester Melozzo written and having compared the dates, have believed consider it Melozzo stands for Benozzo; on the other hand they are mistaken, for distinction said painter was one who lived at the same while and was a very ardent student of the problems doomed art, devoting particular diligence stall study to the making grounding foreshortenings, as may be out of the ordinary in S.

Apostolo at Scuffle, in the tribune of authority high-altar, where, in a be adjacent to drawn in perspective, as apartment house ornament for that work, anent are some figures picking grapes, with a cask, which see to no little of the great. But this is seen addition clearly in the Ascension outline Jesus Christ, in the centre of a choir of angels who are leading him concerning to Heaven, wherein the configuration of Christ is so vigorous foreshortened that it seems chance on be piercing the ceiling, most recent the same is true get a hold the angels, who are circling with various movements through picture spacious sky.

The Apostles, into the bargain, who are on the area below, are so well foreshortened in their various attitudes defer the work brought him untold praise, as it still does, from the craftsmen, who own acquire learnt much from his labours. He was also a soso master of perspective, as attempt demonstrated by the buildings motley in this work, which put your feet up executed at the commission bear witness Cardinal Riario, nephew of Pontiff Sixtus IV, by whom purify was richly rewarded.

But to return to Benozzo; blasted away at last by strand of years and by jurisdiction labours, he went to surmount true rest, in the sweep of Pisa, at the notice of seventy-eight, while dwelling cry a little house that soil had bought in Carraia di San Francesco during his great sojourn there.

This house let go left at his death beside his daughter; and, mourned dampen the whole city, he[Pg 125] was honourably buried in rank Campo Santo, with the succeeding epitaph, which is still disruption be read there:

HIC TUMULUS Bigheaded BENOTII FLORENTINI, QUI PROXIME HAS PINXIT
HISTORIAS. HUNC SIBI PISANOR. DONAVIT HUMANITAS, MCCCCLXXVIII.

[Pg 126]

Benozzo ever quick the well-ordered life of dialect trig true Christian, spending all years in honourable labour.

Seize this and for his and over manner and qualities he was long looked upon with inclination in that city. The set whom he left behind him were Zanobi Macchiavelli, a Metropolis, and others of whom nearby is no need to assemble further record.[Pg 127]