Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/14

6 ricchio certain of the designs and cartoons for that work: nor would the young artist have failed to continue there, but for the reports which had reached him concerning Leonardo da Vinci, of whose merits he heard many painters of Siena speak in terms of the highest praise. They more especially celebrated the cartoon which Leonardo had prepared in the Sala del Papa at Florence, for a most beautiful group of horses which was to be executed for the Great Hall of the Palace. They likewise mentioned another cartoon, representing nude figures, and made by Michael Angelo Buonarroti, in competition with Leonardo, whom he had on that occasion greatly surpassed. These discourses awakened in Raphael so ardent a desire to behold the works thus commended, that, moved by the love he ever bore to excellence in art, and setting aside all thought of his own interest or convenience, he at once proceeded to Florence.

Arrived in that place, he found the city please him equally with the works he had come to see, although the latter appeared to him divine; he therefore determined to remain there for some time, and soon formed a friendly intimacy with several young painters, among whom were Ridolfo Ghirlandajo, Aristotele San Gallo, and others. He was, indeed, much esteemed in that city, but above all, by Taddeo Taddei, who, being a great admirer of distinguished talent, desired to have him always in his house and at his table. Thereupon Raphael, who was kindliness itself, that he might