Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/212

198 “ La pura Yerita, per ubbidire Alla Santa Giustizia che non tarda, Cava la lingua alia falsa bugiarda.” And under the picture itself is written as follows:— “ Taddeo dipinse questo bel rigestro Discepol fu di Giotto il buon maestro.” Taddeo was also employed at Arezzo, where he received a commission for several works in fresco, which he executed admirably, with the assistance of his pupil Giovanni da Milano. One of these paintings is still to be seen in the church belonging to the confraternity of Spirito Santo; it is on the wall near the high altar, the subject a Crucifixion. This work has been much celebrated for the excellence of the composition and method of treatment. The thieves are seen fastened to their crosses on each side; there are many horses in the picture, with certain figures, in whose countenances the rage of the Jews is most eloquently expressed. Others are drawing down the limbs of the Saviour, with a cord; offering the sponge, or otherwise occupied; as, for example, Longinus, who pierces the side of Jesus with his spear. There are, besides, the soldiers casting lots for the vestments; hope and fear are well expressed in the faces of all, as they watch the throwing of the dice: one awaiting his turn stands armed, and in an attitude of great restraint and uneasiness; but to the inconvenience of this, he is obviously insensible, or disregards it in the excitement of the game. A second, with raised eyebrows and eyes and mouth wide open, looks at the dice as if suspecting fraud, but the expression of his face plainly evinces the eagerness of his desire for victory. The third is about to throw the dice: he has spread out the garment on the ground, and regards it with a smile, as assured of winning, while his lifted arm quivers in the act of casting the lot. In addition to these paintings, there are others on the walls of the church, representing events from