Starnina depicted various stories in fresco, from the life of Sant’ Antonio the abbot, with others from that of the bishop San Niccolo.[1] These works Gherardo completed with so much care, and in so good a manner, that they caused him to become known, as an excellent painter, to certain Spaniards then dwelling in Florence for their affairs, and what was more important, they took him with them into Spain, and presented him to their king. This monarch saw and received Starnina very willingly, and the rather as there was then a considerable dearth of good painters in that land (in quella provincia). Nor was it very difficult to induce Gherardo to quit his country, seeing that after the matter of the Ciompi,[2] and when Michele di Lando was made Gonfaloniere, he had had sharp words, and was at strife with many in Florence, so that he was, to a certain extent, in danger of his life. Having departed, therefore, to Spain, where he executed numerous works for the king of that country,[3] he received so large a remuneration for his labours, that he became rich and honoured. Being then desirous to show himself among his relations and friends in that improved condition, he returned to Florence, where he was very amicably received by all his fellow-citizens, who thenceforward showed him great favour. Nor did any long time elapse before Starnina was appointed to paint the chapel of San Girolamo, in the church of the Carmine, where he depicted various stories from the life of that saint; in one of these, that namely wherein San Girolamo appears with Paolo and Eustachio, the figures are dressed in certain vestments worn by the Spaniards of that time, the whole work exhibiting much originality of invention, with infinite grace and animation in the attitudes and expression of the figures. Among other scenes is one representing Girolamo receiving his first lessons; it exhibits a schoolmaster, who has caused one of his scholars to take
- ↑ Of the paintings executed in this chapel, those of the ceiling only remain. — Ed. Flor. 1846.
- ↑ This occurred in 1378. See the Cronache of that period, with the Storie of Machiavelli, book iii.—Ed. Flor. 1832 and 1846.
- ↑ he author of the work entitled Les Arts Italiens in Espagne (Rome, 1825, quarto), informs us, that the Camerino of the Escurial has an oratory, painted by Gherardo. The picture is a large composition, representing the Adoration of the Magi, and is the only work of this master now to be found in Spain.— Ed. Flor. 1846-48.
