THE FLORENTINE SCULPTOR AND ARCHITECT
MICHELOZZO MICHELOZZI[1]
[born 1396?—died after the year 1470.]
If all who inhabit this world would consider that they may have to live when they can no longer work, there would not be so many who are reduced to beg that in their old age which they have squandqged without any kind of restraint in their youth, when their large and liberal gains, blinding their judgment, have tempted them to spend beyond what was needful, and much more than was right and suitable. Wherefore, since he who has fallen from possessing much to having little or nothing, is often looked upon but coldly, each should endeavour, but in all rectitude, and preserving the medium, to prepare in such sort that he shall not have to beg in his old age. Thus, he who will do as Michelozzo did (who would not imitate his master, Donatello, in this respect, although he did so in his art), will live honourably all the days of his life, and will not be compelled in his last years to go about, miserably seeking the means of existence.[2]
- ↑ Migliore found from the fiscal documents of the period, that this master was sometimes called Michelozzo di Bartolommeo di Gherardo, and sometimes Michelozzo di Borgognone: so far Masselli; the later Florentine commentators add, that in the contract made by Donato with the wardens of the Cathedral of Prato, Michelozzo is called Michele, (see Descrizione della Cattedrale di Plato, p. 77). Respecting the year of his birth there is much doubt; but that stated above, (1386), seems likely to be correct, as being the year most frequently given in the different fiscal documents relating to him, but which vary considerably. — (See Gaye Carteggio ln~ edito, i, 117-120.) See also Rumohr, Italienische Forschungen, ii, 241, 292, 295, and 362; where many interesting details in relation to the works and descendants of this master will be found,
- ↑ The son of Michelozzo, called Ser Niccolo, was employTed in various
the Canon Salvino Salvini, was placed near the entrance of the crypt:—
“donatellus
restituta antiqua sculpendi cœlandiq. arte
celeberrimus
medicis principibus summis bonarum
artium patronis apprime carus
qui ut vivum suspexere
mortuo etiam sepulcrum loco sibi
proximiore constitderunt
obiit idibus decembris an. sal. mcccclxvi.
jet. su-ffi. lxxxiii.”
