DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57409#0377
LORENZO GHIBERTI.
361
to him, no less valuable and useful has it been rendered, by
his means, to those who have occupied themselves with similar
studies in after times.
THE FLORENTINE SCULPTOR LORENZO GHIBERTI.
[born 1381—DIED 1455.]
Whoever obtains renown among his fellow-men for the pos-
session of any particular gift, is without doubt for the most
part a truly blessed light and exemplar to many, whether of
his contemporaries or of those who come after him, to say
nothing of the great honours and large rewards derived from
this advantage by himself in his own life-time. This may be
remarked in all cities and countries. Nor is there any
thing by which the minds of men are more readily aroused to
effort, or by which the discipline of study is rendered less one-
rous to them, than the honours and benefits to be derived from
the heavy labours of the artist or man of learning. By these
it is that every undertaking, however difficult, is rendered
easy, and at no time will the powers of the labourer be put
forth so effectually and with so rich and mature a fruit as
when he is stimulated to effort by the praises of the world.
There are infinite numbers of men who seeing and feeling
this, subject themselves to many a pain, that they also may
attain to the distinction, and merit the rewards conferred
upon some one of their compatriots ; therefore it was that in
ancient times men of parts and distinction were rewarded
with riches, or honoured by triumphs and statues. But as it
rarely happens that talent can escape the persecutions of envy,
it is most needful that all should strive, so far as in them lies,
to ward off her attacks by the truest excellence, or should at
least arm themselves with strength and resolution to sustain
the impetus of her onset; as was admirably accomplished
by Lorenzo di Cione Ghiberti, otherwise di Bartoluccio, who
was well aided in the struggle by his own merits, as well as
by the favour of fortune. It was the high desert of Lorenzo
which induced the sculptor Donato, and Filippo Brunelleschi,
361
to him, no less valuable and useful has it been rendered, by
his means, to those who have occupied themselves with similar
studies in after times.
THE FLORENTINE SCULPTOR LORENZO GHIBERTI.
[born 1381—DIED 1455.]
Whoever obtains renown among his fellow-men for the pos-
session of any particular gift, is without doubt for the most
part a truly blessed light and exemplar to many, whether of
his contemporaries or of those who come after him, to say
nothing of the great honours and large rewards derived from
this advantage by himself in his own life-time. This may be
remarked in all cities and countries. Nor is there any
thing by which the minds of men are more readily aroused to
effort, or by which the discipline of study is rendered less one-
rous to them, than the honours and benefits to be derived from
the heavy labours of the artist or man of learning. By these
it is that every undertaking, however difficult, is rendered
easy, and at no time will the powers of the labourer be put
forth so effectually and with so rich and mature a fruit as
when he is stimulated to effort by the praises of the world.
There are infinite numbers of men who seeing and feeling
this, subject themselves to many a pain, that they also may
attain to the distinction, and merit the rewards conferred
upon some one of their compatriots ; therefore it was that in
ancient times men of parts and distinction were rewarded
with riches, or honoured by triumphs and statues. But as it
rarely happens that talent can escape the persecutions of envy,
it is most needful that all should strive, so far as in them lies,
to ward off her attacks by the truest excellence, or should at
least arm themselves with strength and resolution to sustain
the impetus of her onset; as was admirably accomplished
by Lorenzo di Cione Ghiberti, otherwise di Bartoluccio, who
was well aided in the struggle by his own merits, as well as
by the favour of fortune. It was the high desert of Lorenzo
which induced the sculptor Donato, and Filippo Brunelleschi,