different in their attitudes and their draperies. One is
writing, another is reading, others are in contemplation, and all, being
varied one from another, appear lifelike and very well executed; not to
mention that in the framework of the border surrounding the scenes in
squares there is a frieze of ivy leaves and other kinds of foliage, with
mouldings between each; and on every corner is the head of a man or a
woman in the round, representing prophets and sibyls, which are very
beautiful, and demonstrate with their variety the excellence of the
genius of Lorenzo. Above the aforesaid Doctors and Evangelists, which
are in the four squares below, there follows, on the side towards S.
Maria del Fiore, the first scene; and here, in the first square, is the
Annunciation of Our Lady, wherein, in the attitude of the Virgin, he
depicted terror and a sudden alarm, as she turns away gracefully by
reason of the coming of the Angel. And next to this he made the Nativity
of Christ, wherein the Madonna, having given birth to Him, is lying down
and taking repose; with Joseph in contemplation, the shepherds, and the
Angels singing. In the scene next to this, on the other half of the
door, on the same level, there follows the story of the coming of the
Magi, and of their adoration of Christ, while they give Him their
tribute; and their Court is following them, with horses and other
equipage, wrought with great genius. And beside this, likewise, there is
His Disputation with the Doctors in the Temple, wherein the admiration
and the attention which the Doctors give to Christ are no less well
expressed than the joy of Mary and Joseph at finding Him again. Above
these--beginning again over the Annunciation--there follows the story of
the Baptism of Christ by John in the Jordan, wherein there are seen in
their gestures the reverence of the one and the faith of the other.
Beside this there follows the Temptation of Christ by the Devil, who,
terrified by the words of Jesus, stands in an attitude of terror,
showing thereby that he knows Him to be the Son of God. Next to this, on
the other side, is the scene where He is driving the traders from the
Temple, overturning their money and the victims, doves, and other
merchandise; wherein the figures, falling over each other, have a very
beautiful and well conceived grace in their headlong flight. Next to
this Lorenzo placed the shipwreck of the Apostles, wherein S. Peter is
issuing from the ship and i