ico in return for his unceasing labours
in the service of Giovanni and of his house. Domenico lived forty-four
years, and he was buried with beautiful obsequies in S. Maria Novella by
his brothers David and Benedetto and his son Ridolfo, amid much weeping
and sorrowful regrets. The loss of so great a man was a great grief to
his friends; and many excellent foreign painters, hearing that he was
dead, wrote to his relatives lamenting his most untimely death. The
disciples that he left were David and Benedetto Ghirlandajo, Bastiano
Mainardi da San Gimignano, the Florentine Michelagnolo Buonarroti,
Francesco Granaccio, Niccolo Cieco, Jacopo del Tedesco, Jacopo dell'
Indaco, Baldino Baldinelli, and other masters, all Florentines. He died
in 1495.

[Illustration: THE MADONNA GIVING THE GIRDLE TO S. THOMAS

(_After the panel by =Bastiano Mainardi=. Florence: S. Croce_)

_Brogi_]

Domenico enriched the art of painting by working in mosaic with a manner
more modern than was shown by any of the innumerable Tuscans who essayed
it, as is proved by the works that he wrought, few though they may be.
Wherefore he has deserved to be held in honour and esteem for such rich
and undying benefits to art, and to be celebrated with extraordinary
praises after his death.

FOOTNOTES:

[23] Garlands.

[24] See note on p. 57, Vol. I.

[25] See note on p. 57, Vol. I.

ANTONIO AND PIERO POLLAIUOLO

LIVES OF ANTONIO AND PIERO POLLAIUOLO

PAINTERS AND SCULPTORS OF FLORENCE

Many men begin in a humble spirit with unimportant works, who, gaining
courage from proficiency, grow also in power and ability, in such a
manner that they aspire to greater undertakings and almost reach Heaven
with their beautiful thoughts. Raised by fortune, they very often chance
upon some liberal Prince, who, finding himself well served by them, is
forced to remunerate their labours so richly that their descendants
derive great benefits and advantages from them. Wherefore such men walk
through this life to the end with so much glory, that they leave
marvellous memorials of themselves to the world, as did Antonio and
Piero del Pollaiuolo, who were greatly esteemed in their day for the
rare acquirements that they had made with their industry and labour.

These men were born in the city of Florence, one no long time after the
other, from a father of humble station and no great wealth, who,
recognizing by many signs the good and acute intelligence o