continued for a long time to be placed epigrams and sonnets, from the number of which it shall suffice me to insert the following:—
Dar Desiderio ai freddi marmi vita,
E poter la scultura
Agguagliar sua bellezza alma e infinita,
Si fermò shigottita
E disse; omai sarà mia gloria oscura.
E piena d'alto sdegno
Troncò la vita a così bell'ingegno
Ma in van, perchè costui
Diè vita eterna ai marmi, e i marmi a lui.[1]
The works of Desiderio were performed about the year 1485. He left the sketched figure of a Magdalene in penitence, which was finished at a later period by Benedetto da Maiano, and is now in the church of Santa Trinita at Florence, on the right as you enter the church.[2] This figure is beautiful beyond the power of words to express. In our book are certain drawings by Desiderio, which are very fine; his portrait I have obtained from some of his connections in Settignano.
MINO DA FIESOLE, SCULPTOR.
[born 1400—died I486.]
When artists seek no more, in the works they produce, than to imitate their masters, or some other eminent person, whose manner may please them, in the attitudes of their figures, the air of their heads, or the folds of their draperies, and con-
- ↑ When nature saw
That Desiderio gave cold marble, life;
Saw that the sculptor’s power approached her own;
Adding to forms of beauty, life and soul;
Aghast she stood, and cried: “Now darkened all,
From henceforth is my glory.” Then vast rage
And high disdain possessed her, and she quenched
The light of that bold genius. But in vain;
The life he gave to marble, marble gives
To him for ever. - ↑ This figure is still in its place. The life of Benedetto da Maiano follows.
