Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/160

146 displaying knowledge and deep study of the nude form, but with heads which have almost all the same expression; from the ancient Tuscan, somewhat rude, but careful in the arrangement of the hair; and, finally, from that of the Romans (I call those Romans, who, after the subjugation of Greece, repaired to Rome, whither all that was good and beautiful in the whole world was then transported), which last is so admirable, whether as regards the expression, the attitudes, or the movements of the figures, draped or nude, that the Romans may truly be said to have gathered the best qualities of all other methods and united them in their own, to the end that this might be superior to all, nay, absolutely divine, as it is.

But all of good and pure in art being extinct in the time of Andrea, that manner only was in use which had been brought into Tuscany by the Goths and uncultivated modern Greeks. It was on this then, that Andrea brought his more accurate taste and finer judgment to bear: studying the few antiquities known to him, carefully profiting by Giotto’s new method in design, and ultimately diminishing to a great extent the coarseness of the infelicitous manner then prevalent, he began to work in a much improved style, and to give greater beauty to his productions than had been attained by any other sculptor previous to that time. The talent possessed by Andrea becoming known, his compatriots readily gave him encouragement, and he was employed, while still very young, to execute certain small figures in marble, for Santa Maria a Ponte. By these he obtained so high a reputation, that he received a pressing invitation to Florence, there to co-operate in the labours then in progress for the construction of Santa Maria del Fiore. The principal fagade of this building, with its three doors, had been commenced, but there was a dearth of masters to execute the sculptures which Giotto had designed when the church was founded. The Florentines therefore engaged Andrea Pisano for this wrork; and as they were at that time anxious to render themselves acceptable to Pope Boniface VIII, who was then head of the Christian Church, they determined that before any thing else was done,