Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/291

Rh in the foreshortening, which proves clearly that Lippo perceived, and sought in some degree to elucidate certain difficulties in the art of painting. It was by Lippo, moreover, that the leaves of the tabernacle in the Baptistery of San Giovanni were painted; that whereon are the angels with the San Giovanni in relief by Andrea, namely, and where Lippo depicted various stories from the life of St. John the Baptist, which were very carefully executed. This master likewise took great pleasure in working in mosaic, and in the aforesaid Baptistery of San Giovanni, over the door leading to the Misericordia, he commenced a picture in this manner between the windows, which was considered very beautiful; nay, it was judged to be the best work in mosaic that had then been executed in that place: in the same church Lippo also restored certain mosaics which had been injured. He painted numerous figures in fresco likewise for the church of San Giovanni fra l’Arcora, which stood without the gate that opens on the road leading to Faenza, but the church was totally ruined at the siege of Florence. This work was near a. Crucifixion, painted by Buffalmacco, and was considered exceedingly fine by every one who beheld it. In some of the small alms-houses at the gate of Faenza were certain frescoes by the hand of this master; and in Sant’ Antonio, within the same gate, and near the hospital, he depicted a crowd of paupers in various attitudes and under different circumstances, all delineated with very great ability. Within the cloister of the same church, Lippo painted a vision of Sant’ Antonio, of most original invention, and beautifully executed; the saint is depicted as contemplating all the allurements and snares of the world, by which the appetites and desires of men are taken captive, and themselves led away after the various delights and enjoyments of earth; a work which he completed with infinite ability. This master executed numerous mosaics also for different parts of Italy; and in the Guelphic quarter of Florence, he produced a figure in this manner, the head of which was glazed. There are