o foreshorten them in a natural and
proper form, just as they did in relief; and thus, too, they were ever
observing lights and shades, the projection of shadows, and all the
other difficulties, and the composition of stories with more
characteristic resemblance, and attempted to give more reality to
landscapes, trees, herbs, flowers, skies, clouds, and other objects of
nature, insomuch that we may boldly say that these arts were not only
reared but actually carried to the flower of their youth, giving hope of
that fruit which afterwards appeared, and that, in short, they were
about to arrive at their most perfect age.

[Illustration: DAVID

(_After the bronze by_ Donatello. _Florence: Bargello_)

_Anderson_]

With the help of God, then, we will begin the Life of Jacopo della
Quercia of Siena, and afterwards those of the other architects and
sculptors, until we come to Masaccio, who, having been the first to
improve design in the art of painting, will show how great an obligation
is owed to him for the new birth that he gave to her. Having chosen the
aforesaid Jacopo for the honour of beginning this Second Part, I will
follow the order of the various manners, and proceed to lay open,
together with the Lives themselves, the difficulties of arts so
beautiful, so difficult, and so highly honoured.

JACOPO DELLA QUERCIA

[Illustration: HEAD OF ILARIA DEL CARRETTO, FROM THE TOMB

(_After_ Jacopo della Quercia. _Lucca: S. Martino_)

_Alinari_]

LIFE OF JACOPO DELLA QUERCIA

[_JACOPO DELLA FONTE_]

SCULPTOR OF SIENA

The sculptor Jacopo, son of Maestro Piero di Filippo of La Quercia, a
place in the district of Siena, was the first--after Andrea Pisano,
Orcagna, and the others mentioned above--who, labouring in sculpture
with greater zeal and diligence, began to show that it was possible to
make an approach to nature, and the first who encouraged the others to
hope to be able in a certain measure to equal her. His first works
worthy of account were made by him in Siena at the age of nineteen, with
the following occasion. The people of Siena having their army in the
field against the Florentines under the captainship of Gian Tedesco,
nephew of Saccone da Pietramala, and of Giovanni d'Azzo Ubaldini, this
Giovanni d'Azzo fell sick in camp and was carried to Siena, where he
died; wherefore, being grieved at his death, the people of Siena caused
to be made for his obsequies, which were most honourable,