Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/259

Rh San Giovanni Laterano, and that even of such fragments as were daily found—to say nothing of entire works—great account was made; observing all this, I say, he resolved to devote his attention to sculpture, and thereupon, abandoning altogether the calling of the goldsmith, he set himself to cast certain small figures in bronze, which were very much commended: taking courage from this, he soon afterwards began to work in marble also.

Now it happened at this time that the wife of Francesco Tornabuoni died in child-bed, and her husband, who had greatly loved her while living, desired to do her all the honour in his power after her death; he therefore commissioned Andrea to erect a monument to her memory, and the master thereupon represented the lady herself on the stone which covered her tomb, with the birth of her infant, and her departure to another life; he added three figures, representing three virtues, which were considered very beautiful, being the first work that he had executed in marble. Having then returned to Florence with money, fame, and honour, Andrea Verrocchio was appointed to execute a figure of David in bronze, two braccia and a half high, which, being completed, was placed, to the great ctedit of the master, on the summit of the staircase, where the chain formerly was. While Andrea was occupied with the statue just described, he likewise made that figure of Our Lady, in marble, which is over the tomb of Messer Leonardo Bruni, of Arezzo, in the church of Santa Croce; this he executed while still young, for the architect and sculptor, Bernardo JRossellino, who erected the whole work, which is in marble, as Ave have before said. The same artist prepared a mezzorilievo in marble, of Our Lady with the Child in her arms, a half length, which was formerly in the Medici palace, I