DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57409#0187
BUONAMICO BUFFALMACCO.
171
converts them to the faith of Christ. This work is more
beautiful than any other painted by Buffalmacco; and it may
with truth be said, that on this occasion he surpassed him-
self, insomuch that the people of Perugia were moved to
require, according to what Franco Sacchetti* has written,
that he should paint Sant’ Ercolano, bishop and protector of
Perugia, in the market-place of their city. Having agreed
on the price, an enclosure of planks and matting was erected
on the spot where the master was to work, that he might not
be overlooked at his labours; which done, he commenced his
operations. But ten days had not elapsed, before every man
who passed the scaffolding, inquired “ when this picture
would be finished?” as though they fancied works of that
kind were to be cast in a mould; so that Buonamico became
thoroughly wearied of their outcries. Wherefore, having
brought the matter to an end, he resolved within himself to
take a bit of quiet vengeance on the people for their trouble-
some importunities; nor did he fail to execute this deter-
mination. Keeping the work still enclosed, he admitted the
Perugini to examine it, when all declared their entire satis-
faction ; but when they desired to remove the planks and
matting, Buonamico requested that they should be suffered to
remain for two days longer, as he wished to retouch certain
parts when the painting was fully dried. This was agreed
to; and Buonamico, who had made a great diadem for the
saint in rilievo of plaster, richly gilt, as was then the custom,
instantly mounted his scaffold, and replaced this ornament
by a coronet or garland of gudgeons, which wholly encircled
the head. That accomplished, he paid his host one fine
morning, and set off to Florence.
Two days having passed, the Perugini, not seeing the
painter going about as they were accustomed to do, inquired
of his host what had become of him, and hearing that he had
departed to Florence, they hastened to remove the planks
that concealed the picture, when they discovered their saint
solemnly crowned with gudgeons. This affront was at once
made known to the authorities, who instantly sent horsemen
in pursuit of Buonamico,—but all in vain, the painter having
found shelter in Florence. They set an artist of their own,
therefore, to remove the crown of fishes, and replace the
* See the hundred and sixty-ninth story of Sacchetti.—Bottari.
171
converts them to the faith of Christ. This work is more
beautiful than any other painted by Buffalmacco; and it may
with truth be said, that on this occasion he surpassed him-
self, insomuch that the people of Perugia were moved to
require, according to what Franco Sacchetti* has written,
that he should paint Sant’ Ercolano, bishop and protector of
Perugia, in the market-place of their city. Having agreed
on the price, an enclosure of planks and matting was erected
on the spot where the master was to work, that he might not
be overlooked at his labours; which done, he commenced his
operations. But ten days had not elapsed, before every man
who passed the scaffolding, inquired “ when this picture
would be finished?” as though they fancied works of that
kind were to be cast in a mould; so that Buonamico became
thoroughly wearied of their outcries. Wherefore, having
brought the matter to an end, he resolved within himself to
take a bit of quiet vengeance on the people for their trouble-
some importunities; nor did he fail to execute this deter-
mination. Keeping the work still enclosed, he admitted the
Perugini to examine it, when all declared their entire satis-
faction ; but when they desired to remove the planks and
matting, Buonamico requested that they should be suffered to
remain for two days longer, as he wished to retouch certain
parts when the painting was fully dried. This was agreed
to; and Buonamico, who had made a great diadem for the
saint in rilievo of plaster, richly gilt, as was then the custom,
instantly mounted his scaffold, and replaced this ornament
by a coronet or garland of gudgeons, which wholly encircled
the head. That accomplished, he paid his host one fine
morning, and set off to Florence.
Two days having passed, the Perugini, not seeing the
painter going about as they were accustomed to do, inquired
of his host what had become of him, and hearing that he had
departed to Florence, they hastened to remove the planks
that concealed the picture, when they discovered their saint
solemnly crowned with gudgeons. This affront was at once
made known to the authorities, who instantly sent horsemen
in pursuit of Buonamico,—but all in vain, the painter having
found shelter in Florence. They set an artist of their own,
therefore, to remove the crown of fishes, and replace the
* See the hundred and sixty-ninth story of Sacchetti.—Bottari.