Lives of the Artists, Volume 1Beginning with Cimabue and Giotto in the thirteenth century, Vasari traces the development of Italian art across three centuries to the golden epoch of Leonardo and Michelangelo. Great men, and their immortal works, are brought vividly to life, as Vasari depicts the young Giotto scratching his first drawings on stone; Donatello gazing at Brunelleschi's crucifix; and Michelangelo's painstaking work on the Sistine Chapel, harassed by the impatient Pope Julius II. The Lives also convey much about Vasari himself and his outstanding abilities as a critic inspired by his passion for art. |
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ancient Andrea angels appear architect artists asked beautiful better body bronze brought building built called Cardinal carried chapel Christ church colours commissioned completed containing Cosimo death depicted described died Donatello door drawings Duke example excellent executed expressed feet figures Filippo finished Florence Florentine four Francesco fresco gave Giotto Giovanni give given grace hand head holiness honour Italy judgement kind Lady later leave Leonardo light living look Lorenzo marble marvellous master Medici mentioned Michelangelo nature never painted painter palace panel perfect picture Piero Pope portrait praise Raphael Rome round Santa Maria scenes sculpture seen sent showing shown side skill standing started statues style taken things thought Titian tomb various Vasari vault wall wanted young