Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/337

Rh

But none of all these disciples ever equalled Pietro himself in assiduity of application, or in the grace with which that master painted in his own manner; which pleased greatly at that time, insomuch that many artists came from France, Spain, Germany, and other countries, to the end that they might acquire it. A traffic was also made of his works, as we have said, by many who sent them into divers places before the manner of Michael Agnolo became known; but the latter, having made manifest the good and true path in these arts, has brought them to that perfection which we shall see when we come to the third part of this work, soon to follow: wherein we shall treat of the excellence and per fections thereof, and wherein it will be proved to artists, that whoever will study and labour continually and not capriciously, or in the mere pursuit of fantasies; shall leave works of value behind him, and shall acquire fame, riches, and friends.

It is a well-known fact that when masters of our arts begin to distinguish themselves in any particular district, they are followed by many more, one after another, insomuch that there are frequently a large number in one and the same place. Emulation, the - struggle for distinction, and the connexion in which one of these artists may happen to stand with one great master, and one with another, combine to make all labour the more zealously for pre-eminence; each seeking to surpass the others as much as he possibly can. Or if even many are connected with and depend on one master, still they soon divide, either on the death of that master, or for some other cause; when different tendencies soon be-