Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/495

Rh destroying the Dragon, a figure of Our Saviour Christ standing before Pilate while the latter washes his hands, and the Assumption of the Madonna, a work of a rather large size, with all the Apostles therein; and this was one of the best engravings ever executed by Martin. In another he has exhibited Sant’ Antonio tormented by Devils, and in the act of being borne through the air by vast numbers of them, Avith forms of the most fanciful and varied character that can be imagined. This work pleased Michelagnolo so much when he was a youth that he set himself to colour it.

Martin was followed by Albert Dürer who with more power of design, superior judgment, and more copious invention, began to execute Avorks of similar character at Antwerp. He took much pains to imitate nature, and sought to approach the Italian manner, which he always appreciated; he thus produced works even in his youth which were considered equally beautiful with those of Martin, and engraved them with his own hand, signing them with his name. In the year 1503, Albert Diirer sent forth to the world a small figure of the Madonna, in which he surpassed both Martin and himself: this was followed by numerous plates with horses, two in each plate, they are taken from life and are exceedingly beautiful. On another he represented the Prodigal Son, who is in the habit of a peasant, kneeling with clasped hand and eyes raised to heaven, while the swine are eating from a trough: in this engraving there are huts or cabins after the German manner, which are exceedingly beautiful. He also engraved a figure of San Sebastiano, of small size, showing the saint bound, and with the arms raised aloft, and a Madonna seated with the divine Child on her lap; behind her is a window, the light from