DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57409#0159
PIETRO LAURATI.
143
to have been recalled to life from the dead. For, besides
that I have increased the light in the building, which was
before extremely dark, by enlarging the windows existing
previously, and by making others; I have further removed
the choir, which formerly occupied a great portion of the
church, and, to the great satisfaction of the reverend canons,
have placed it behind the high altar. Then, the new altar
being isolated, has a picture towards the nave, representing
Christ calling Peter and Andrew from their nets, with a
second picture towards the choir, on which is St. George
killing the dragon. On the sides are four pictures, in each
of which are two saints, the size of life. There are many
other figures, moreover, above these pictures, and on the
predella beneath them; but these I refrain, for the sake of
brevity, from enumerating. The frame of this altar is thirteen
braccia high; the height of the predella or gradino, is two brae-
cia. In the vacant space within the altar, many venerable relics
are preserved ; and to these there is a commodious ascent by
steps, leading to an iron door, very well executed. There
are, besides, two gratings in front, by means of which the
relics may be seen from without. And among these sacred
treasures is the head of St. Donatus, bishop and protector of
Arezzo ; while, in a sarcophagus of vari-coloured marble,
which I have had entirely restored and renewed, there are
the relics of four saints. Before the predella of the altar,
moreover, which surrounds it on all sides in due propor-
tion, there is a tabernacle or ciborium of the sacrament,
carved in wood, and gilt all over with gold. The height of
this ciborium is about three braccia, and as its form is per-
fectly round, it can be seen from the choir as well as from
the nave of the church. In all this work, I have spared nei-
ther cost nor labour, for so I thought it behoved me to
do for the honour of God. Thus, according to my judgment,
it has all the embellishments, of gold, carvings, paintings,
marbles, travertine, porphyry, and other stones of price, that
I could possibly bring together for the purpose.*
* All that Vasari here describes, remains as he placed and left it,
with the exception of the principal picture, which has suffered con-
siderably. Among- the figures on the predella, are portraits of certain
relations of Vasari, as he tells us himself in the life of his ancestor,
Lazzaro Vasari.— G. Masselli.
143
to have been recalled to life from the dead. For, besides
that I have increased the light in the building, which was
before extremely dark, by enlarging the windows existing
previously, and by making others; I have further removed
the choir, which formerly occupied a great portion of the
church, and, to the great satisfaction of the reverend canons,
have placed it behind the high altar. Then, the new altar
being isolated, has a picture towards the nave, representing
Christ calling Peter and Andrew from their nets, with a
second picture towards the choir, on which is St. George
killing the dragon. On the sides are four pictures, in each
of which are two saints, the size of life. There are many
other figures, moreover, above these pictures, and on the
predella beneath them; but these I refrain, for the sake of
brevity, from enumerating. The frame of this altar is thirteen
braccia high; the height of the predella or gradino, is two brae-
cia. In the vacant space within the altar, many venerable relics
are preserved ; and to these there is a commodious ascent by
steps, leading to an iron door, very well executed. There
are, besides, two gratings in front, by means of which the
relics may be seen from without. And among these sacred
treasures is the head of St. Donatus, bishop and protector of
Arezzo ; while, in a sarcophagus of vari-coloured marble,
which I have had entirely restored and renewed, there are
the relics of four saints. Before the predella of the altar,
moreover, which surrounds it on all sides in due propor-
tion, there is a tabernacle or ciborium of the sacrament,
carved in wood, and gilt all over with gold. The height of
this ciborium is about three braccia, and as its form is per-
fectly round, it can be seen from the choir as well as from
the nave of the church. In all this work, I have spared nei-
ther cost nor labour, for so I thought it behoved me to
do for the honour of God. Thus, according to my judgment,
it has all the embellishments, of gold, carvings, paintings,
marbles, travertine, porphyry, and other stones of price, that
I could possibly bring together for the purpose.*
* All that Vasari here describes, remains as he placed and left it,
with the exception of the principal picture, which has suffered con-
siderably. Among- the figures on the predella, are portraits of certain
relations of Vasari, as he tells us himself in the life of his ancestor,
Lazzaro Vasari.— G. Masselli.