Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/220

212 master to have been among the truly excellent ones of his time. Above these and in the seventh picture, which comprises the width of two of the lower ones, and is closed by the arch of the vault, Ghirlandajo has depicted the death of the Madonna and her Asssumption; she is surrounded by a large number of Angels, and there are various figures, landscapes, and other ornaments, wherein Domenico, with his able manner and practised facility, always abounded.

On the opposite wall are stories from the Life of John the Baptist. In the first, Zacharias is seen offering sacrifice in the temple, and the angel appears to him; when he, not believing, is rendered dumb. In this picture the painter has shown that the sacrifices of those times were resorted to by the most honourable of the people; and this he has effected by placing among those offering sacrifices, the most distinguished citizens of Florence, portrayed from those who then governed that state, more particularly the members of the Tornabuoni family, old and young. And in addition to this, desiring to make it obvious that his age abounded in every kind of talent, but more particularly in learning, Domenico painted a group of four figures in half length; they stand conversing together in the fore-ground, and were the most learned men then to be found in Florence. The first is Messer Marsilio Ficino, who wears the dress of a Canon; the second, in a red mantle, with a black band round his neck, is Cristofano Landino. The figure turning towards him is the Greek Demetrius, and he who, standing between them, somewhat raises his hand, is Messer Angelo Poliziano, all of whom are most animated and life-like portraits. In the second story, which is next to this, there follows the Visitation of Our Lady to St. Elizabeth, they are accompanied by several women clothed in the dress of those times, and among them is the portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci, then a very beautiful maiden.

In the third story, which is above the first, is the Birth of St. John the Baptist, and in this there is a very pleasing