ese works wherein I might be able to paint a figure; for before
departing from Florence I would make a trial beside one of these
figures, likewise in fresco, to the end that you might see by comparison
whether there be not among the moderns one who has equalled him." Among
their number was a master who was held to be the first painter in
Florence; and he, being curious to see the work of Perino, and perhaps
wishing to lower his pride, put forward an idea of his own, which was
this: "Although," said he, "all the space here is full, yet, since you
have such a fancy, which is certainly a good one and worthy of praise,
there, on the opposite side, where there is the S. Paul by his hand, a
figure no less good and beautiful than any other in the chapel, is a
space in which you may easily prove what you say by making another
Apostle, either beside that S. Peter by Masolino or beside the S. Paul
of Masaccio, whichever you may prefer." The S. Peter was nearer the
window, and the space beside it was greater and the light better;
besides which, it was a figure no less beautiful than the S. Paul.
Everyone, therefore, urged Perino to do it, because they had a great
desire to see that Roman manner; besides which, many said that he would
be the means of taking out of their heads the fancy that they had nursed
in their minds for so many decades, and that if his figure should prove
to be the best all would run after modern works. Wherefore, persuaded by
that master, who told him at last that he ought not to disappoint the
entreaties and expectations of so many lofty intellects, particularly
since it would not take longer than two weeks to execute a figure in
fresco, and they would not fail to spend years in praising his labours,
Perino resolved to do it, although he who spoke thus had an intention
quite contrary to his words, being persuaded that Perino would by no
means execute anything much better than the work of those craftsmen who
were considered to be the most excellent at that time. Perino, then,
undertook to make this attempt; and having summoned by common consent M.
Giovanni da Pisa, the Prior of the convent, they asked him for the space
for the execution of the work, which he granted to them with truly
gracious courtesy; and thus they took measurements of the space, with
the height and breadth, and went away.

An Apostle was then drawn by Perino in a cartoon, in the person of S.
Andrew, and finished with the greatest diligence;