Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/153

Rh and exceedingly beautiful; this is now in the hands of Piero Castanei. For the brotherhood of Santa Lucia, moreover, Domenico painted a singularly beautiful Bier, with one of a similar kind for the brotherhood of Sant’ Antonio. Nor let any marvel that I should make mention of works of this character, since these are in fact beautiful to a miracle, as all who have seen them can bear witness.

At length, and when he had attained the age of sixty-five, this master died, having hastened his departure by labouring day and night at his castings of metal, which he would also finish and polish himself, working entirely alone, and refusing to accept any assistance whatever. The 18th of May, in the year 1549, was the day of Domenico Mecherino’s death, and lie was buried by his intimate friend the goldsmith Giuliano in the cathedral of his native city, wherein he had produced so many distinguished works. He was borne and followed to his tomb by all the artists of his native city, which was even then fully aware of the loss she had sustained in his death, but is more than ever convinced of it now, by the admiration which his productions have awakened.

Domenico was a man of very orderly habits, fearing God and diligently studious of his art, but somewhat excessively disposed to solitude. He has been celebrated extensively for his many good qualities by the citizens of Siena, his compatriots, who, to their great praise, have ever been strongly inclined to the study of letters, and by these he has been honourably extolled in verse, written in the Latin as well as in the vulgar tongue.