DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57409#0013
PREFACE.
V
best notes this new edition is indebted to that superin-
tended by Montani and Masselli.
There is, besides, a German translation; and here,
as elsewhere, the Germans have brought their uncon-
querable patience of research, and conscientious minute-
ness of investigation, to the work before them. The
world has, consequently, to thank them for an admirable
version, and for annotations which are invaluable. The
French have also given what they call a translation ; but
this is an impertinent travesty, of which no more need
be said.
In our own language, no translation, previous to
the present, has appeared; but an abridgement of a few
of the lives was published in a thin 4to, London, 1719.
Of the mode in which the present attempt has been
performed, the reader will form his own judgment. The
object of the translator has been to give Vasari as he is,
without the slightest deviation from the letter of the text.
In doing this, certain sacrifices have not unfrequently
been called for in respect to style. The reader whose
taste has been formed on the more polished models of the
present day, will, doubtless, be frequently reminded that
Vasari wrote three hundred years since, and, even with
this qualification, may sometimes think him rendered in
too homely a mannei'; but the excellent Giorgio was a
man of plain words, and we would not have him say to
us, as Donato said to Duke Cosmo, “ This mantle, that
thou hast given me, is too dainty for my wear.” *
From the vast amount of notes and commentaries
accumulated in the different editions of our author, the
* Spicilegium Romanum. “ Vita di Cosmo.” See also p. 489, note, of
the present work.
V
best notes this new edition is indebted to that superin-
tended by Montani and Masselli.
There is, besides, a German translation; and here,
as elsewhere, the Germans have brought their uncon-
querable patience of research, and conscientious minute-
ness of investigation, to the work before them. The
world has, consequently, to thank them for an admirable
version, and for annotations which are invaluable. The
French have also given what they call a translation ; but
this is an impertinent travesty, of which no more need
be said.
In our own language, no translation, previous to
the present, has appeared; but an abridgement of a few
of the lives was published in a thin 4to, London, 1719.
Of the mode in which the present attempt has been
performed, the reader will form his own judgment. The
object of the translator has been to give Vasari as he is,
without the slightest deviation from the letter of the text.
In doing this, certain sacrifices have not unfrequently
been called for in respect to style. The reader whose
taste has been formed on the more polished models of the
present day, will, doubtless, be frequently reminded that
Vasari wrote three hundred years since, and, even with
this qualification, may sometimes think him rendered in
too homely a mannei'; but the excellent Giorgio was a
man of plain words, and we would not have him say to
us, as Donato said to Duke Cosmo, “ This mantle, that
thou hast given me, is too dainty for my wear.” *
From the vast amount of notes and commentaries
accumulated in the different editions of our author, the
* Spicilegium Romanum. “ Vita di Cosmo.” See also p. 489, note, of
the present work.