In this same convent of the Servites, there was at that period a monk, acting as Sacristan, who had also the superintendence of the wax-lights sold there, and was called Fra Mariano del Canto alia Macine. This monk heard every one praising Andrea, and affirming that he was making most wonderful progress in the art of painting; he, therefore, set about contriving to gratify a wish of his own, at small cost. Attacking Andrea, who was a kind man and of mild manners, on the side of his honour, he accordingly proceeded to affect a great interest in him, and declared himself anxious to assist him, from motives of kindness, in a matter which could not but redound to the glory of the painter and would bring him great profit also, besides making him known in such a manner, that he would never more be poor or wanting in any thing.
Now, it had happened many years previously, that Alesso Baldovinetti had painted a Nativity of Christ, as I have before related,[1] in the first cloister of the Servites, and on that side which joins the church of the Nunziata; while Cosimo Rosselli had commenced a story on the opposite side of the same cloister; the subject being San Filippo, who was the founder of' that Order of the Servites, receiving the Monastic Habit: but this work had not been completed by Cosimo, who died while still engaged with its execution. The sacristan, therefore, greatly desiring to have it finished, thought so to manage matters, that he might turn the emulation of Andrea and Franciabigio, who, from having been friends, had now become rivals in art, to his own account: his plan was to make each take a part of the work, when, as both would be incited by their rivalry in art to do their utmost, the sacristan expected to be the more effectually served, and at much diminished cost, while to them the labour would be increased in an equal proportion.
Having opened his mind to Andrea, he laboured hard to persuade him to undertake the office proposed, by pointing out to him that as the place was a public and much frequented one, he would thus make himself known, not only to the Florentines but to strangers, adding, that he ought, on that account, not to think of expecting any payment for his work, nay, rather, if he had not been invited to perform it, should have even begged permission to do so. Fra Mariano, further-
- ↑ See the Life of Alesso Baldovinetti, vol. i.
