painter, having promised to do all that the bishop desired, caused a stout scaffolding and screen of wood-work to be made before the building, saying that he could not be seen to paint such a thing. Thus prepared, and shut up alone within his screen, Buonamico painted the direct contrary of what the bishop had required—a lion, namely, tearing an eagle to pieces; and, having painted the picture, he requested permission from the bishop to repair to Florence, for the purpose of seeking certain colours needful to his work. He then locked up the scaffold, and departed to Florence, resolving to return no more to the bishop. But the latter, after waiting some time, and finding that the painter did not reappear, caused the scaffolding to be taken down, and discovered that Buonamico had been making a jest of him. Furious at this affront, Guido condemned the artist to banishment for life from his dominions; which, when Buonamico learnt, he sent word to the bishop that he might do his worst: whereupon the bishop threatened him with fearful consequences. Yet, considering afterwards that he had been tricked, only because he had intended to put an affront upon the painter, Bishop Guido forgave him, and even rewarded him liberally for his labours. JNTay, Buffalmacco was again invited to Arezzo, no long time after, by the same prelate, who always treated him as a valued servant and familiar friend, confiding many works in the old cathedral to his care, all of which, unhappily, are now destroyed. Buonamico also painted the apsis of the principal chapel in the church of San Giustino in Arezzo.
Some writers relate that this artist, after his return to Florence, resorted frequently to the shop of Maso del Saggio,[1] with his companions and friends; and was there, with many ethers, assisting in the arrangements for a festival, which was given on the first of May, by the inhabitants of the suburb of San Friano, in boats on the'Arno, when it chanced that the bridge of the Carraja, which was then of wood, gave
- ↑ Maso del Saggio was an agent, or broker, of joyous character and very witty; he is described by Boccaccio, in his seventy-third story.— Bottari, Roman edition, 1759.
that Guido, being a furious Ghibelline, intended rather to offer an affront to the Guelfs, by exalting the eagle, which was the emblem of the Ghibelline party, over that of the Guelphic party, which was the lion.
