n Tuscany. Thus, by producing now
mosaics and now paintings, he executed many very tolerable works in
both mediums, which will always assure him good credit and
reputation. There is a great deal more which I might say about Gaddo,
but I will pass it over in silence, because the manner of the
painters of those days cannot be of great assistance to artists; and
I shall dwell at greater length upon the lives of those who may be of
some help, because they introduced improvements into the art.

Gaddo lived seventy-three years, and died in 1312. He was honourably
buried in S. Croce by his son Taddeo. This Taddeo, who had Giotto for
his godfather, was the only one of all Gaddo's children who became a
painter, learning the rudiments of the art from his father and the
rest from Giotto. Besides Taddeo, a Pisan painter named Vicino was
also a pupil of Gaddo. He did some excellent work in mosaic for the
great tribune of the Duomo of Pisa, where the following words still
testify to his authorship:

"Tempore Domini Johannis Rossi operarii istius ecclesiae, Vicinus
pictor incepit et perfecit hanc imaginem B. Mariae, sed Majestatis,
et Evangelistae per alios inceptae, ipse complevit et perfecit.
Anno Domini 1321. De mense Septembris. Benedictum sit nomen Domini
Dei nostri Jesu Christi. Amen."

The portrait of Gaddo, by the hand of Taddeo his son, may be seen in
the Baroncelli chapel in the church of S. Croce, where he stands by
the side of Andrea Tafi, in the marriage of the Virgin. In the book,
which I have mentioned above, there is a miniature by Gaddo, like
those of Cimabue, and which serves to show his ability as a
draughtsman.

Now, because an old book from which I have extracted these few
notices about Gaddo Gaddi, speaks of the building of the church of S.
Maria Novella in Florence for the Friars Preachers, a truly
magnificent and imposing structure, I will take this opportunity of
relating the circumstances of its erection. While St Dominic was at
Bologna, the place of Ripoli outside Florence was granted to him.
Accordingly he sent twelve friars thither under the care of the
blessed Giovanni da Salerno. Not many years after they came to
Florence, to the church and place of S. Pancrazio, and established
themselves there. When Dominic himself came to Florence they left it,
and went to stay in the church of S. Paolo, as he wished them to do.
Subsequently when the place of S. Maria Novella and all its
possession