Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/517

Rh monks, to whom San Giorgio was given in exchange. Moreover they (Cosimo and Lorenzo de’ Medici), being much devoted to religion, and zealous for the Divine service and worship, gave orders that the above-named should be entirely rebuilt according to the design and model of Michelozzo, commanding that it should be constructed on the most extensive and magnificent scale, with all the conveniences that those monks could possibly desire. This building the master commenced in the year 1437, and the first part completed was that above the old refectory and opposite to the ducal stables, which had formerly been erected by the Duke Lorenzo de’ Medici. In this place twenty cells were made, the roof was put on, and the various articles of wood work brought into the refectory, which was finished as we see it in our day. But the edifice was not proceeded with any further at that time, because it was necessary first to see what would be the end of a lawsuit, which a certain Maestro Stefano, general of the aforesaid Salvestrine monks, had commenced against the monks of San Marco in relation to that convent. At length, the suit having ended in favour of the brothers of San Marco, the construction of the convent was resumed; but it was again interrupted, for the principal chapel, which had been erected by Ser Pino Bonaccorsi, had afterwards devolved on a lady of the Caponsacchi family, and from her it had passed to Mariotto Banchi. Lawsuits to I know not what amount then ensued; and Mariotto having got through them all, and taken the said chapel from Agnolo della Casa to whom it had been either