Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/385

Rh an arm, which seems to be of the living flesh rather than of bronze, in the hands, and in the attitude, may be seen a commencement of the good modern manner. Lorenzo was the first who began to imitate the works of the ancient Romans, of which he was a zealous student, as all must be who would attain to perfection in their art. In the front and upper part of the tabernacle enclosing this figure, the master made an attempt in mosaic, placing there the half-length figure of a prophet. The fame of Lorenzo had now extended not only throughout all Italy, but also into other countries, where he was considered the most ingenious of all the masters in foundry work, insomuch that Jacopo della Fonte, Donato, and the Sienese Vecchietto having executed certain figures and historical pieces in bronze for the Signoria of Siena, to be placed in their church of San Giovanni, and which were intended to adorn the baptismal font of that church, the Sienese (having seen the works of Lorenzo in Florence), agreed among themselves that he also should execute two stories for them: the subjects of these works were from the life of John the Baptist, and in one was represented the Baptism of Christ by St. John, who is accompanied by many figures, some naked, others very richly dressed. The second exhibits the Baptist when taken and led before Herod. In these works Lorenzo greatly surpassed the artists who had executed the others, and was in consequence very highly commended by the Sienese, and by all who beheld the work.

The masters of the Mint had to furnish a statue for one of those niches of Or San Michele, which are opposite to the Guild of the Weavers. This statue was to represent St. Matthew, and to be of the same height with that of St. John above described. They confided the charge of it, therefore, to Lorenzo Ghiberti, who produced a work of the utmost perfection, and one which was more highly praised than that of St. John, the master having executed it more in the modern manner. The successful completion of this statue caused the Guild of the Woolstaplers to determine that our