so suddenly, that
there were not wanting people who put it down to poison rather than to
any other reason.

[Illustration: MASACCIO: THE MADONNA ENTHRONED WITH ANGEL MUSICIANS]

(_Collection of Rev. A. F. Sutton. Panel_)

It is said that Filippo di Ser Brunellesco, hearing of his death,
exclaimed, "We have suffered a very great loss in Masaccio," and that it
grieved him infinitely, for he had spent much time in demonstrating to
Masaccio many rules of perspective and of architecture. He was buried in
the same Church of the Carmine in the year 1443, and although, since
he had been little esteemed when alive, no memorial was then placed over
his tomb, yet after his death there were not wanting men to honour him
with these epitaphs:

BY ANNIBAL CARO.

PINSI, E LA MIA PITTURA AL VER FU PARI;
L'ATTEGGIAI, L'AVVIVAI, LE DIEDI IL MOTO,
LE DIEDI AFFETTO. INSEGNI IL BUONARROTO
A TUTTI GLI ALTRI, E DA ME SOLO IMPARI.

BY FABIO SEGNI.

INVIDA CUR LACHESIS PRIMO SUB FLORE JUVENTAE
POLLICE DISCINDIS STAMINA FUNEREO?
HOC UNO OCCISO INNUMEROS OCCIDIS APELLES;
PICTURAE OMNIS OBIT, HOC OBEUNTE, LEPOS.
HOC SOLE EXTINCTO, EXTINGUUNTUR SIDERA CUNCTA.
HEU! DECUS OMNE PERIT, HOC PEREUNTE, SIMUL.

[Illustration: THE TRIBUTE MONEY

(_After the fresco by_ Masaccio. _Florence: S. Maria del Carmine_)

_Anderson_]

FILIPPO BRUNELLESCHI

LIFE OF FILIPPO BRUNELLESCHI

[_FILIPPO DI SER BRUNELLESCO_]

SCULPTOR AND ARCHITECT

Many men are created by nature small in person and in features, who have
a mind full of such greatness and a heart of such irresistible
vehemence, that if they do not begin difficult--nay, almost
impossible--undertakings, and bring them to completion to the marvel of
all who behold them, they have never any peace in their lives; and
whatsoever work chance puts into their hands, however lowly and base it
may be, they give it value and nobility. Wherefore no one should turn up
his nose when he encounters people who have not, in their aspect, that
primal grace or beauty which nature should give, on his coming into the
world, to a man who works at any art, seeing that there is no doubt that
beneath the clods of the earth are hidden veins of gold. And very often,
in those who are most insignificant in form, there are born so great
generosity of mind and so great sincerity of heart, that, if nobility be
mingled with these, no