Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects Vol 2 Duccio Free Audiobook.
chapter 2 of lives of the most eminent painters sculptors and architects volume 2. this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org recording by morgan scorpion lives of the most eminent painters sculptors and architects volume 2 by giorgio vasari translated by gaston ducey de vere chapter 2 life of ducho painter of siena without doubt those who are inventors of anything notable receive the greatest attention from the pens of the writers of history and this comes to pass because the first inventions are more observed and held in greater marvel by reason of the delight that the novelty of the thing brings with it then all the improvements made afterwards by any man whatsoever when works are brought to the height of perfection for the reason that if a beginning were never given to anything there would be no advance and improvement in the middle stages and the end would not become excellent and of a marvelous beauty due till then painter of siena and much esteemed deserved to carry off the palm from those who came many years after him since in the pavement of the duomo of siena he made a beginning in marble for the inlaid work of the figures in ciao oscuro wherein today modern craftsmen have made the marvels that are seen in them he applied himself to the imitation of the old manner and with very sane judgment gave dignified forms to his figures which he fashioned very excellently in spite of the difficulties of such an art with his own hand imitating the pictures in tower skewer he arranged and designed the beginnings of the said pavement and he made in the duomo a panel that was then placed on the high altar and afterwards removed thence in order to place there the tabernacle of the body of christ which is seen there at the present day in this panel according to the description of lorenzo di bartolo giberti there was a coronation of our lady wrote as it were in the greek manner but blended considerably with the modern and as it was painted both on the back part and on the front the said high altar being isolated right round on the said back part they had been made by duchy with much diligence all the principal stories of the new testament with very beautiful little figures i have sought to learn where this panel is to be found today but for all the diligence that i have there and two used i have never been able to discover it or to learn what francesco did georgio the sculptor did with it when he remade the said tabernacle in bronze as well as the marble ornaments that are therein he made likewise many panels on the grounds of gold throughout siena and one in florence in san trinita wherein there is an annunciation he painted next very many works for diverse churches in pisa in lucca and in pistoia which were all consummately praised and acquired for him very great fame and profit finally it is not known where this duchy died nor what relatives disciples or wealth he left it is enough that for having left art the heir to his invention of making pictures of marble in ciao o'scuro he deserves infinite commendation and praise for such a benefit to art and that he can be assuredly numbered among the benefactors who confer advancement and adornment on our profession considering that those who go on investigating the difficulties of rare inventions leave their memory behind them besides all their marvelous works they say in siena that ducho in the year 1348 gave the design for the chapel that is in the square against the wall of the palazzo principali and it is read that there lived in his times a sculptor and architect of passing good talent from the same country named macho who made many works throughout all tuscany and particularly one in the church of san domenico in orezo namely a tomb of marble for one of the churchi which tomb acts as...