Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/409

Rh who is on the lap of his mother. In addition to these pictures, our artist painted several others, in fresco, on the ceiling, and other parts of the church.

We find it related that when Parri Spinelli was occupied with these works, Fra Bernardino da Siena, a monk of the order of St. Francis, and a man of holy life, was preaching in Arezzo, and having induced many of his brother monks to devote themselves truly to the practices of religion, and converted many other persons, caused Parri to prepare the model of a church which he was constructing for these his converts; after which, having heard that many disorders and evil deeds were committed near a fountain situated in a wood about a mile from the city, San Bernardino proceeded thither one morning, followed by the whole assembled people of Arezzo, and bearing a large wooden cross in his hand, which it was his habit to carry. Here, after having preached a solemn discourse, San Bernardino caused the fountain to be demolished, and the wood to be cut down. Shortly afterwards he kid the foundation of a small chapel in honour of Our Lady, with the title of Santa Maria delle Grazie and in this he commissioned Parri Spinelli to paint the glorious Virgin, who, opening her arms, covers with her mantle the whole people of Arezzo. This work the master accomplished, and that most Holy Virgin has since worked, and continues to work, many miracles in that place. At a later period the people of Arezzo caused a most magnificent church to be erected on this site, and in the midst of the building is placed the figure of the Virgin executed by Parri; while for this work many rich decorations in marble, with numerous figures around and upon the altar, have been made, as has been related in the life of Luca della Robbia, and of his nephew Andrea, and as will be further set forth in the lives of those who from time to time have adorned that holy place with