Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/71

Rh Virgin, in the year 1298, by the Cardinal legate of the Pope, in the presence, not only of many bishops and of all the clergy, but also of the Podesta, the captains, priors, and other magistrates of the city, together with the whole assembled people of Florence ; the church receiving the name of “Santa Maria del Fiore.” But as the cost of this fabric was expected to be very great, as it was indeed found to be, a tax of four deniers the pound was levied by the Chamber of the Commune on all merchandize exported from the city, together with a poll-tax of two soldi per head, the Pope and legate also granting large indulgences to whomsoever should offer contributions towards the building. Nor must I omit to say, that in addition to the ample foundations, fifteen braccia deep, strong buttresses were added to each angle of the eight sides, and from these supports it was that Brunellesco derived courage to lay a greater weight on the walls, perhaps, than that Arnolfo had calculated on. The two first side doors of Santa Maria del Fiore were commenced in marble, and it is said that Arnolfo caused fig-leaves to be cut in the frieze, these leaves belonging to his arms and those of his father Lapo, from which it may be inferred, that the family of the Lapi, now among the nobles of Florence, descends from him. Others declare, moreover, that Filippo di Ser Brunellesco was also a descendant of Arnolfo ; but to have done with conjecture,—for many believe the Lapi family to come from Figaruolo, a castle situated at the mouth of the Po,—let us return to our Arnolfo, of whom it may be affirmed, that for the grandeur of this work, he has well merited infinite praise and an eternal name. The walls of the building were almost entirely covered externally with marbles of various colours, and within with Florentine granite, even to the most minute corners of the edifice. And that all may know the exact extent of this marvellous fabric, I add the measurements. Its length, from the door to the chapel of San Zenobio, is 260 braccia, and the breadth across the transepts 166, that of the nave and side aisles 66 ; the height of the central nave is 72 braccia, that of the side aisles 48 ; the external circumference is 1280 braccia ; the height of the cupola, from the pavement to the base of the lantern 154 braccia ; the