DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57409#0403
MASOLINO DA PANICALE.
387
Lorenzo. These drawings, with some by Giotto and other
masters, I received in the year 1528, while still but a youth,
from Vittorio Ghiberti. I have always held, and still hold
them in high estimation, for their own merits as well as from
reverence to the memory of men so distinguished. But if at
the time when I lived in close intimacy and continual inter-
course with Vittorio, I had known as much as I now know,
I could easily have gained possession of many other things
by Lorenzo, which were very fine. Many verses, both in
Latin and Italian, have been made at different times in praise
of Lorenzo; but of all these, that I may be the less wearisome
to my reader, it shall suffice me to repeat the following :—
“ Dum cernit valvas aurato ex ajre nitentes
In templo Michael Angelas, obstnpuit:
Attonitusque diu, sic alta silentia rupit:
O divinum opus! 0 janua digna polo!”
MASOLINO DA PANICALE, PAINTER, OF FLORENCE.
[born ABOUT 1403—DIED ABOUT 1440.]
The happiness of those who approach the highest point of
the science in which they labour to attain perfection, must in
my opinion be very great, more especially when, in addition
to the satisfaction assured to all who strive conscientiously,
they perceive themselves to derive some benefit from their
labours. Such men, without doubt, lead a most peaceful and
happy life. And if it happen that one whose days are thus
occupied in the upright endeavour to reach the true end of
his existence and acquire the perfection to which he aspires,
should be suddenly surprised by death, yet his memory does
not become wholly extinct, if he have indeed meritoriously
striven to advance on the true path. Therefore every one
should do his utmost to reach perfection, for even though he
should be cut off in the midst of his career, his fame will be
secured and he will receive praise, if not for the works that
he has been unable to finish, yet certainly for the upright
387
Lorenzo. These drawings, with some by Giotto and other
masters, I received in the year 1528, while still but a youth,
from Vittorio Ghiberti. I have always held, and still hold
them in high estimation, for their own merits as well as from
reverence to the memory of men so distinguished. But if at
the time when I lived in close intimacy and continual inter-
course with Vittorio, I had known as much as I now know,
I could easily have gained possession of many other things
by Lorenzo, which were very fine. Many verses, both in
Latin and Italian, have been made at different times in praise
of Lorenzo; but of all these, that I may be the less wearisome
to my reader, it shall suffice me to repeat the following :—
“ Dum cernit valvas aurato ex ajre nitentes
In templo Michael Angelas, obstnpuit:
Attonitusque diu, sic alta silentia rupit:
O divinum opus! 0 janua digna polo!”
MASOLINO DA PANICALE, PAINTER, OF FLORENCE.
[born ABOUT 1403—DIED ABOUT 1440.]
The happiness of those who approach the highest point of
the science in which they labour to attain perfection, must in
my opinion be very great, more especially when, in addition
to the satisfaction assured to all who strive conscientiously,
they perceive themselves to derive some benefit from their
labours. Such men, without doubt, lead a most peaceful and
happy life. And if it happen that one whose days are thus
occupied in the upright endeavour to reach the true end of
his existence and acquire the perfection to which he aspires,
should be suddenly surprised by death, yet his memory does
not become wholly extinct, if he have indeed meritoriously
striven to advance on the true path. Therefore every one
should do his utmost to reach perfection, for even though he
should be cut off in the midst of his career, his fame will be
secured and he will receive praise, if not for the works that
he has been unable to finish, yet certainly for the upright