h inventions of the
Knights Challengers, of whom he was one, and of the Knights Adventurers,
there was fought with various arms a combat for a barrier, and there was
performed with beautifully trained horses, to the rare delight of the
spectators, the graceful dance called the Battaglia. But this, being
hindered by inopportune rains, was prolonged over many days; and since,
seeking to treat of it at any length, it would require almost an entire
work, being now weary, I believe that I may be pardoned if without
saying more of it I bring this my long--I know not whether to call it
tedious--labour, at length to an end.

GIORGIO VASARI

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORKS OF GIORGIO VASARI

PAINTER AND ARCHITECT OF AREZZO

Having discoursed hitherto of the works of others, with the greatest
diligence and sincerity that my brain has been able to command, I also
wish at the end of these my labours to assemble together and make known
to the world the works that the Divine Goodness in its grace has enabled
me to execute, for the reason that, if indeed they are not of that
perfection which I might wish, it will yet be seen by him who may
consent to look at them with no jaundiced eye that they have been
wrought by me with study, diligence, and loving labour, and are
therefore worthy, if not of praise, at least of excuse; besides which,
being out in the world and open to view, I cannot hide them. And since
perchance at some time they might be described by some other person, it
is surely better that I should confess the truth, and of myself accuse
my imperfection, which I know only too well, being assured of this, that
if, as I said, there may not be seen in them the perfection of
excellence, there will be perceived at least an ardent desire to work
well, great and indefatigable effort, and the extraordinary love that I
bear to our arts. Wherefore it may come about that, according to the
law, myself confessing openly my own deficiencies, I shall be in great
part pardoned.

To begin, then, with my earliest years, let me say that, having spoken
sufficiently of the origin of my family, of my birth and childhood, and
how I was set by Antonio, my father, with all manner of lovingness on
the path of the arts, and in particular that of design, to which he saw
me much inclined, with good occasions in the Life of Luca Signorelli of
Cortona, my kinsman, in that of Francesco Salviati, and in many other
places in the present work, I s