Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/154

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, an excellent Sienese painter, had ample experience in the course of his life of the great happiness derived by the truly distinguished in art, from the knowledge that their works are prized and sought for by all men, whether in their own country or in foreign lands. The paintings which this master executed in fresco for the Scala, an hospital of Siena, having first made him known, he was invited to different cities, being honourably received and caressed by all Tuscany. In these frescoes, the manner of Giotto, then extensively promulgated through all Italy, was so closely imitated, that all with reason believed Laurati likely to become a better master than Cimabue, Giotto, and others, had been, as was afterwards proved to be the case. In the figure of the Virgin, who is represented ascending the steps of the temple, accompanied by Joachim and Anna, and received by the priest; as also in the Sposalizio, there is so much grace and beauty, with so charming an expression in all the heads of the composition, and the draperies are so simply and easily folded, that the whole work gives evidence of a truly admirable manner. It was in consequence of this performance, then, which first brought the good method of painting into Siena, giving light to so many noble spirits, which in all succeeding times have flourished in that city, that Laurati was invited to Monte Oliveto di Chiusuri, where he executed a picture in distemper, which is now in the lower church. He also