prove it to have been. It is said that our artist was aided in this work by Donatello, then a boy, who made him various ornaments, and even stories, in basso-rilievo, formed of stucco, chalk, glue, and pounded bricks, which, being gilded, served as a rich and beautiful accompaniment to the paintings. Of this work, as of many similar ones, Drea Cennini has made mention at considerable length in his book, of which I have before spoken sufficiently.[1] And as it is desirable to preserve some memorial of these old things, I have caused many of them to be retained in the palace of my lord the Duke Cosmo. They are by the hand of Dello himself, and will always be worthy of attentive consideration, were it only for the various costumes of those times, vestments of men as well as of women, which are to be seen among them.[2] The story, in fresco, of Isaac giving his benediction to Esau, which will be found on one side of the cloister of Santa Maria Novella, is by this master; it is painted in “terra-verde.[3]
Shortly after completing this work, Dello was invited into Spain, where he entered the service of the king, and attained to so much credit that no artist need desire for himself more or better;[4] and, although we are not acquainted with the particulars of the works executed by Dello in those parts, we are authorized to suppose that they were good and beautiful, since he left the country both rich and honoured. After some years, having been royally remunerated for his labours, the master resolved to return to Florence, where he desired to show his friends how he had risen from extreme poverty to great riches. Wherefore, having gone to obtain the permission of the king, he not only received a gracious accordance of the same (although that monarch would have retained him, if such had been the pleasure of Dello), but also, as a more distinguished token of satisfaction from that most liberal sovereign, he was made a knight. Whereupon, the painter departing to Florence, there demanded the pennants and other insignia of his rank, with
- ↑ See Cennini, Trattato della Pittura, cap. cxv, et seq.
- ↑ No trace can now be found of the articles here described. — Ed. Flor. 1832-8 and 1846-9.
- ↑ This story is still in existence. — Ibidem.
- ↑ Lanzi tells us that Stamina, and, some years after him, Dello, were the first to introduce the new Italian manner at the Spanish court, whence they both brought back riches and honours. See History of Painting, vol. i, p. 69.
