rees, waters, clouds, splendours, fires, etc. And
although in these things, as also in inventions, up to a certain
point, it is possible that in case of necessity I could show that I
have made some little proficience by means of the reading I have
mentioned, yet I have been content, as I have said, to confine myself
to making only portraits, and the rather because the many occupations
which my office necessarily involves do not permit me to do more. And
in order to prove myself in some way appreciative and grateful for
these benefits, that by your means I have learned a most beautiful
tongue and the art of painting, I would have sent you with this letter
a little portrait of my face, taken with a mirror, had I not doubted
whether my letter would find you in Rome or not, since at the present
moment you might perchance be living in Florence or your native city
of Arezzo."

This letter contains, in addition, many other particulars that are not
here to the point. In others, since, he has prayed me in the name of
many honourable gentlemen of those parts, who have heard that these
Lives are being reprinted, that I should add to them three treatises
on sculpture, painting, and architecture, with drawings of figures, by
way of elucidation according to necessity, in order to expound the
secrets of the arts, as Albrecht Duerer and Serlio have done, and Leon
Battista Alberti, who has been translated by M. Cosimo Bartoli, a
gentleman and Academician of Florence. Which I would have done more
than willingly, but my intention has been only to describe the lives
and works of our craftsmen, and not to teach the arts, with the
methods of drawing the lines of painting, architecture, and sculpture;
besides which, the work having grown under my hands for many reasons,
it will be perchance too long, even without adding treatises. But it
was not possible or right for me to do otherwise than I have done, or
to defraud anyone of his due praise and honour, nor yet the world of
the pleasure and profit that I hope may be derived from these
labours.

INDEX OF NAMES
OF THE CRAFTSMEN MENTIONED IN VOLUME IX

Abate, Niccolo dell' (Niccolo da Modena), 148

Adone Doni, 261

Aertsen, Pieter, 268

Agnolo, Baccio d', 40, 41, 194

Agnolo Bronzino, 118, 125, 128, 133, 137, 252

Agnolo di Donnino, 29, 30

Agresti, Livio (Livio da Forli), 155

Aimo, Domenico (Vecchio), 189

Alberti, Leon Batista, 271

Albrecht Duere