eation of figures, a difference equally strongly
marked in the case of their pupils and imitators. From this time
others gradually sought to follow in the footsteps of the better
masters, surpassing each other more and more every day, so that art
rose from these humble beginnings to that summit of perfection to
which it has attained to-day. Andrea lived eighty-one years and died
before Cimabue in 1294. The reputation and honour which he won by his
mosaics, because it was he who had first brought to Tuscany the
better manner of executing and who had taught it to the men of that
province, led to the execution of the excellent works in that art by
Gaddo Gaddi, Giotto, and the rest, which have brought them fame and
immortality. After Andrea's death his merits were magnified in the
following inscription:

Here lies Andrea, who produced graceful and beautiful works
In all Tuscany. Now he has gone.
To adorn the realm of the stars.

Buonamico Buffalmacco was a pupil of Andrea, and played many pranks
on him when a youth. From his master Buonamico had the portraits of
Pope Celestine IV. and Innocent IV., both of which he afterwards
introduced in the paintings which he made in S. Paolo a Ripa d'Arno
at Pisa. Another pupil was Antonio di Andrea Tafi, who may possibly
have been his son. He was a fair painter, but I have not been able to
find any works by his hand, and there is nothing beyond a bare
mention of him in the old book of the company of artists in design.

But Andrea Tafi deserves a high place among the old masters, because,
although he learned the principles of mosaic from the craftsman whom
he brought from Venice to Florence, yet he introduced such
improvements into the art, uniting the pieces with great care, and
making his surfaces as smooth as a table (a very important thing in
mosaics), that he prepared the way for Giotto among others, as will
be said in that artist's life; and not for Giotto alone, but for all
those who have since practised this branch of pictorial art to our
own day. Thus it may be asserted with perfect truth that the
marvellous works in mosaic, which are now being carried out in S.
Marco, at Venice, owe their origin to Andrea Tafi.

Gaddo Gaddi, Florentine Painter.

Gaddo, painter of Florence, who flourished at this same time, showed
more design in the works which he produced in the Byzantine style,
and which he executed with great care, than did Andrea Tafi and the
othe