Citation link:
https://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/vasari1851bd4/0364
356 LIVES OF THE ARTISTS.
such as thou art, and that to thy serious discomfort; make
thyself sure of it.’’*
Thus spoke Madonna Margherita, wife of Pier-Francesco
Borgherini, and daughter of Ruberto Acciaiuoli, a Florentine
noble of great wisdom. She was in truth a woman entirely
worthy to be the daughter of such a father ; and by her
noble daring and firmness of spirit she caused these gems of
art to be respected, and kept them, where they still remain,
to adorn the dwellings of her house.
About this same time Giovan-Maria Benintendi had deco-
rated an antechamber in his palace with numerous paintings
by the hands of divers able masters, and, hearing Jacopo da
Puntormo extolled to infinity for the works which he had
executed in the rooms of Borgherini, Giovan-Maria deter-
mined to add a painting by that artist to those he already
possessed. The subject chosen for the picture was an Adora-
tion of the Magi, who presented themselves to the Infant
Christ in Bethlehem ; and, having given much thought and
care to the work, the master succeeded in rendering it varied
and beautiful in the heads, as well as 'worthy of all praise in
every other part.
He afterwards painted a picture for Messer Goro da
Pistoja, who was then secretary to the Medici, a half-length
portrait namely of the illustrious Cosimo de’ Medici the
elder ;f this is a truly commendable work, and is now in
the house of Messer Ottaviano de’ Medici, and in possession
of Messer Alessandro his heir, a young man, who, to say
nothing of the nobility and distinction of his race, is remark-
able for the propriety of his life, as well as honourable for
his love of literature ; he is the worthy son, in short, of the
* “ The deportment of this incomparable woman,” exclaims an ad-
miring compatriot of the eloquent dame above described, the Madonna
Margherita, “might put to shame the numbers who since those days have
made merchandize for the stranger of so many precious objects, the glory of
their family and their country, despoiling their houses, not as compelled
by necessity, but for the gratification of an absurd vanity; the supply of a
frivolous and most ridiculous extravagance.” Alas, my sisters, can it be
that the most commendable acquisition of our jewels and laces, is that
which is thus irreverently designated by this profane ? Alas, my sisters !
f The portrait of Cosimo Pater PatritE, here in question, is now in the
Florentine Gallery before-mentioned ; it has been admirably engraved by
Antonio Perfetti, and is given in outline in the Galleria, &c., cited above.
such as thou art, and that to thy serious discomfort; make
thyself sure of it.’’*
Thus spoke Madonna Margherita, wife of Pier-Francesco
Borgherini, and daughter of Ruberto Acciaiuoli, a Florentine
noble of great wisdom. She was in truth a woman entirely
worthy to be the daughter of such a father ; and by her
noble daring and firmness of spirit she caused these gems of
art to be respected, and kept them, where they still remain,
to adorn the dwellings of her house.
About this same time Giovan-Maria Benintendi had deco-
rated an antechamber in his palace with numerous paintings
by the hands of divers able masters, and, hearing Jacopo da
Puntormo extolled to infinity for the works which he had
executed in the rooms of Borgherini, Giovan-Maria deter-
mined to add a painting by that artist to those he already
possessed. The subject chosen for the picture was an Adora-
tion of the Magi, who presented themselves to the Infant
Christ in Bethlehem ; and, having given much thought and
care to the work, the master succeeded in rendering it varied
and beautiful in the heads, as well as 'worthy of all praise in
every other part.
He afterwards painted a picture for Messer Goro da
Pistoja, who was then secretary to the Medici, a half-length
portrait namely of the illustrious Cosimo de’ Medici the
elder ;f this is a truly commendable work, and is now in
the house of Messer Ottaviano de’ Medici, and in possession
of Messer Alessandro his heir, a young man, who, to say
nothing of the nobility and distinction of his race, is remark-
able for the propriety of his life, as well as honourable for
his love of literature ; he is the worthy son, in short, of the
* “ The deportment of this incomparable woman,” exclaims an ad-
miring compatriot of the eloquent dame above described, the Madonna
Margherita, “might put to shame the numbers who since those days have
made merchandize for the stranger of so many precious objects, the glory of
their family and their country, despoiling their houses, not as compelled
by necessity, but for the gratification of an absurd vanity; the supply of a
frivolous and most ridiculous extravagance.” Alas, my sisters, can it be
that the most commendable acquisition of our jewels and laces, is that
which is thus irreverently designated by this profane ? Alas, my sisters !
f The portrait of Cosimo Pater PatritE, here in question, is now in the
Florentine Gallery before-mentioned ; it has been admirably engraved by
Antonio Perfetti, and is given in outline in the Galleria, &c., cited above.