Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/128

120 excellence in them, while he can discover absolutely no fault. Of equal merit are two Angels in full relief, which serve as the completion to this work; they are in the act of flying, and are draped in the most graceful vestments that can possibly be conceived. In the centre is a small figure of the Infant Christ entirely nude, and exceedingly graceful. There are also certain small historical representations on the predella, and over the tabernacle; the figures are minute, but so well done, that the point of the pencil could not effect, without difficulty, what Andrea has done with the chisel.

But he who shall seek cause for admiration and astonishment at the extraordinary diligence of this remarkable artist, let him consider all the details of this work, let him examine the architectural minutiae of the tabernacle, which, small as it is, is so admirably finished, and the various portions are so carefully conjoined in every part, that one might believe it to have been chiselled from one entire stone. Very highly extolled, likewise, is the large marble figure of the Dead Christ, which Andrea executed in mezzo rilievo, for the decoration of the altar; the figures of the Madonna and of San Giovanni, who are both weeping, are also much admired. Nor would it be possible to imagine more beautiful works in foundry, than are the bronze gratings, with their decoration of marble, by which that chapel is enclosed. Stags, which are the device or crest of the Corbinelli family, serve as a portion of their ornaments, and are besides used to adorn the chandeliers of bronze, wherewith the fabric is further enriched. This Chapel was, in short, completed without sparing any labour, and with all that careful forethought which could most effectually secure the desired result.

By these and other works, the name of Andrea became widely known; and the King of Portugal made his request to Lorenzo the Magnificent, in whose garden it is said that Andrea pursued the studies proper to his art, to the effect that the master might be sent to his court. Lorenzo des-