Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/261

Rh his hand on the wound in the side of Christ: but this work was not proceeded with, because among those who had the charge of that matter, were some who would have it done by Donatello, while others would have Lorenzo Ghiberti, and thus the affair had remained while Donato and Lorenzo were living, but the two statues were finally entrusted to Andrea Verrocchio. Having accordingly made the models and moulds, our artist cast the figures, when they came out so firm, complete, and beautiful, that the casting was considered a most admirable one. Andrea then set himself to polish and finish his work, which he brought to the perfection in which we now see it, and than which nothing better can be found. The incredulity of Thomas, and his too great desire to assure himself of the truth of the fact related to him, are clearly perceived in his countenance, but at the same time the love with which he lays his hand most tenderly on the side of Christ is also manifest. In the figure of the Saviour likewise, as he raises his arm with much freedom of attitude, and opening his vesture, disperses the doubts of his incredulous disciple, there is all that grace and divinity, so to speak, which art can give to the form it represents. The manner in which Andrea has clothed these figures also, in beautiful and well arranged draperies, makes it manifest that he was no less intimately acquainted with his art than were Donato, Lorenzo, and the other masters who had preceded him; wherefore this w'ork well deserved to be placed within a tabernacle made by Donato, and to be held, as it ever has been, in the highest estimation.

The reputation of Andrea could not now attain to any higher degree in this branch of art, and as he was one of those men who are not satisfied with excellence in one thing, but who desire to possess the same distinction in others also, he turned his attention to painting, and by means of study, produced the cartoon of a combat of undraped figures, very well executed with the pen, to be afterwards painted on the fa9ade of a building. He prepared the cartoons in like manner for other pictures, historical pieces, &c., and afterwards began to put them into execution, but whatever may