with such perfection that he acquired the
highest reputation thereby. In truth the work exhibits great variety,
not only in the postures of the different figures, but in the
composition of each subject, besides which it is very interesting to
see the various costumes of those times and certain imitations and
observations of Nature. One of the most beautiful of these represents
a thirsty man, whose desire for water is represented in the most
lively manner as he kneels on the ground to drink from a spring, with
such wonderful reality that one might imagine him to be a real
person. There are many other things most worthy of notice into which
I will not enter now, because I do not wish to be tedious. Let it
suffice to say that by these works Giotto acquired the highest
reputation for the excellence of his figures, for his arrangement,
sense of proportion, fidelity to Nature, and his innate facility
which he had greatly increased by study, while in addition to this he
never failed to express his meaning clearly. Giotto indeed was not so
much the pupil of any human master as of Nature herself, for in
addition to his splendid natural gifts, he studied Nature diligently,
arid was always contriving new things and borrowing ideas from her.

When these works were completed Giotto painted in the lower church of
the same place the upper part of the walls beside the high altar, and
all four angles of the vaulting over the spot where the body of St
Francis lies, the whole displaying his beautiful and inventive
imagination. The first contains St Francis glorified in Heaven,
surrounded by those Virtues which are required of those who wish to
be perfect in the sight of God. On the one side Obedience puts a yoke
on the neck of a friar who kneels before her, the bands of which are
drawn by hands to Heaven. With one finger on her mouth she signifies
silence, and her eyes are turned towards Jesus Christ, who is
shedding blood from his side. Beside her are Prudence and Humility to
show that where true obedience exists, there also will be humility
and prudence, causing everything to prosper. In the second angle is
Chastity, who will not allow herself to be won by the kingdoms,
crowns, or palms which are being offered to her. At her feet stands
Purity who is washing the naked, while Fortitude is bringing others
to be washed and cleansed. On one side of Chastity is Penitence,
chasing a winged Love with the cord of discipline and putting to
fli