Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects - All 10 Volumes. Giorgio Vasari
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[1] The word "artist" has become impossible as a translation of "artefice." Such words as "artificer," "art-worker," or "artisan," seem even worse. "Craftsman" loses the alliterative connection with "art," but it comes nearest to expressing Vasari's idea of the "artefice" as a practical workman (cf. his remark about Ambrogio Lorenzetti: "The ways of Ambrogio were rather those of a 'gentiluomo' than of an 'artefice'").
[2] The process of sgraffito work is described in Professor Baldwin Brown's notes to "Vasari on Technique" as follows: "A wall is covered with a layer of tinted plaster, and on this is superimposed a thin coating of white plaster. This outer coating is scratched through (with an iron tool), and the colour behind is revealed. Then all the surface outside the design is cut away, and a cameo-like effect is given to the design."
[3] The process of niello is as follows: A design is engraved on silver or bronze, and the lines of the design are filled with a composition of silver and lead. On the application of fire to the whole, this composition turns black, leaving the design strongly outlined.
[4] The libbra is twelve ounces of our ordinary pound (avoirdupois).
[5] It is difficult to find a rendering of "cappella maggiore" that is absolutely satisfactory. There may be a chapel in some churches that is actually larger than the "principal chapel." The principal chapel generally contains the choir, but not always, and when Vasari wants to say "choir" he uses the word "coro." The rendering "principal chapel" has therefore been adopted as the least misleading.
[6] The braccio is a very variable standard of measurement. As used by Vasari, it may be taken to denote about 23 inches.
[7] Vescovado includes both the Cathedral and the Episcopal buildings of Arezzo. Vasari generally uses it to denote the Cathedral.
[8] The literal meaning of tramezzo is "something that acts as a partition between one thing and another." There are cases where it might be translated "rood-screen"; but in general it may be taken to mean transept, which may be said to divide a church into two parts. In all cases where the word occurs, reference will be made to this note.
[15] Proverbial expression, equivalent to our "twinkling of an eye."
[18] This is probably a printer's error for "nemico," as that Pope was anything but the friend of Manfredi.
[20] Lions of stone, emblems of the city of Florence.
[22] Guardaroba, the room or rooms where everything of value was stored—clothes, linen, art treasures, furniture, etc.
[23] A yellow-lake made from the unripe berries of the spin cervino, a sort of brier.
Volume 2
Table of Contents
LIFE OF BERNA, PAINTER OF SIENA
LIFE OF DUCCIO, PAINTER OF SIENA
LIFE OF ANTONIO VINIZIANO, PAINTER
LIFE OF JACOPO DI CASENTINO, PAINTER
LIFE OF SPINELLO ARETINO, PAINTER
LIFE OF GHERARDO STARNINA, PAINTER