DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57409#0349
NANNI D’ANTONIO DI BANCO.
333
the guild had refused to Donato. Hereupon the dispute was
referred by both sides to the latter, the syndics of the guild
being fully persuaded, that, from sheer envy, Donato would
estimate the work of Nanni at a much lower price than he
had demanded for his own. But they had reckoned without
their host; Donato adjudging to Nanni considerably more
for his statue than he had required for it himself. The syn-
dics would by no means abide by this decision, and assailed
Donato with loud outcries, demanding to know wherefore he,
who had offered to execute the work for a smaller sum,
should estimate it so highly when performed by the hand of
another, as to compel them to pay even more than was asked
for it, “ although thou knowest well, as we do also”, they
continued, “that the work would have been much better, had
it been done by thyself.” Donato replied, laughing, “this
good man is not equal to me in our art, and it must have
cost him much heavier labour to complete this work than I
should have had to bestow on it; wherefore, if you are just
men, as you appear to me, and desire to satisfy him for his
pains, you are bound to pay him for the time he has ex-
pended.” The decision of Donato was finally suffered to
prevail, both parties having promised to abide by it.
This statue has, upon the whole, a good attitude—the head
is animated and graceful, the vestments are not stiff or hard,
and are not badly arranged about the figure. In a niche
beneath the St. Philip are four Saints, also in marble, and
which were executed by Nanni for the guild of smiths, car-
penters, and masons: these figures are in full relief, and it is
said that when all were finished and detached from each other,
the niche being likewise prepared, the sculptor found that with
all his efforts he could get only three of his saints within it,
he having made some of them in attitudes displaying the
arms outstretched. Dismayed and despairing, Nanni betook
himself to Donato, entreating him to give advice and aid
by which this oversight and misfortune might in some man-
ner be repaired. “If thou”, said Donato, smiling, “ wilt give
a supper to me and all my lads, I’ll answer for it that the
saints shall all be got into the niche for thee, without further
ado.” This Nanni promised very gladly, and Donato sent
him away to Prato, to take certain measurements and trans-
act other matters that should occupy him for a few days.
333
the guild had refused to Donato. Hereupon the dispute was
referred by both sides to the latter, the syndics of the guild
being fully persuaded, that, from sheer envy, Donato would
estimate the work of Nanni at a much lower price than he
had demanded for his own. But they had reckoned without
their host; Donato adjudging to Nanni considerably more
for his statue than he had required for it himself. The syn-
dics would by no means abide by this decision, and assailed
Donato with loud outcries, demanding to know wherefore he,
who had offered to execute the work for a smaller sum,
should estimate it so highly when performed by the hand of
another, as to compel them to pay even more than was asked
for it, “ although thou knowest well, as we do also”, they
continued, “that the work would have been much better, had
it been done by thyself.” Donato replied, laughing, “this
good man is not equal to me in our art, and it must have
cost him much heavier labour to complete this work than I
should have had to bestow on it; wherefore, if you are just
men, as you appear to me, and desire to satisfy him for his
pains, you are bound to pay him for the time he has ex-
pended.” The decision of Donato was finally suffered to
prevail, both parties having promised to abide by it.
This statue has, upon the whole, a good attitude—the head
is animated and graceful, the vestments are not stiff or hard,
and are not badly arranged about the figure. In a niche
beneath the St. Philip are four Saints, also in marble, and
which were executed by Nanni for the guild of smiths, car-
penters, and masons: these figures are in full relief, and it is
said that when all were finished and detached from each other,
the niche being likewise prepared, the sculptor found that with
all his efforts he could get only three of his saints within it,
he having made some of them in attitudes displaying the
arms outstretched. Dismayed and despairing, Nanni betook
himself to Donato, entreating him to give advice and aid
by which this oversight and misfortune might in some man-
ner be repaired. “If thou”, said Donato, smiling, “ wilt give
a supper to me and all my lads, I’ll answer for it that the
saints shall all be got into the niche for thee, without further
ado.” This Nanni promised very gladly, and Donato sent
him away to Prato, to take certain measurements and trans-
act other matters that should occupy him for a few days.