Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/572

 536 Readings in European History made such rapid progress in the short time that he gave his attention to it, that he often confounded the master who was teaching him by the perpetual doubts that he started and by the difficult questions that he proposed. He also commenced the study of music, and resolved to acquire the art of playing the lute, when, being by nature of an exalted imagination and full of the most graceful vivacity, he sang to the instrument most divinely, improvis- ing at once both the verse and the music. [Verocchio, an esteemed artist of the period, upon see- ing some of the drawings which Leonardo had made, gladly agreed to take him into his shop.] Thither the boy resorted with the utmost readiness, and not only gave his attention to one branch of art but to all those of which design makes a portion. Endowed with such admirable intelligence and being also an excellent geometrician, Leonardo not only worked in sculpture but in architecture ; likewise he pre- pared various designs for ground plans and the construction of entire buildings. He too it was who, while only a youth, first suggested the formation of a canal from Pisa to Flor- ence by means of certain changes to be effected in the river Arno. Leonardo likewise made designs for mills, fulling machines, and other engines which were run by water. But as he had resolved to make painting his profession, he gave the greater part of his time to drawing from nature. Vasari writes thus of Raphael's premature death and of his kindly disposition toward his fellow-artists. When this noble artist died, well might Painting have departed also, for when he closed his eyes she too was left, as it were, blind. ... To him of a truth it is that we owe the possession of invention, coloring, and execution, brought alike and together to that perfection for which few could have dared to hope ; nor has any man ever aspired to surpass him. And in addition to the benefits which this great master conferred on art, being as he was its best friend, we have