Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/232

218 mony, and invention. The drawings of Andrea Orgagna were executed with infinite care, as may be seen in our book.

When the arts of design contend among themselves in emulative strife, when artists labour each to surpass the other, there can be no doubt that the many subtle spirits thus incited to study and aroused to exertion, will constantly make new discoveries for the satisfaction of all the varied wishes and tastes of men. And to speak on this occasion more particularly of painting; some, producing works in a dark and unaccustomed manner, but making clearly evident all the difficulties they have overcome, cause the light of their genius thus to shine forth from the shadow. Others display the utmost softness and delicacy, thinking that these must needs be more pleasing to the eye of the spectator, and as this method displays the forms in more striking relief, so it does, without doubt, more readily attract the attention of the multitude: others, in fine, depicting their subjects with graceful harmony, softening their colours and keeping their lights and shadows in due subjection, deserve the warmest praise, and display the treasures of their genius, while they also prove the rectitude of their judgment, as did Tommaso di Stefano, called Giottino.

This master was born in the year 1324, and received the first rudiments of art from his father; but, while still young, he determined to imitate the manner of Giotto, rather than