hance it happened at
times that he took them from other women, yet, from his being used to
see her continually, and from the circumstance that he had drawn her so
often, and, what is more, had her impressed on his mind, it came about
that almost all the heads of women that he made resembled her. The other
kneeling figure is a S. Sebastian, who, being naked, shows his back,
which appears to all who see it to be not painted, but of living flesh.
And indeed, among so many works in oils, this was held by craftsmen to
be the best, for the reason that there may be seen in it signs of
careful consideration in the proportions of the figures, and much order
in the method, with a sense of fitness in the expressions of the faces,
the heads of the young showing sweetness of expression, those of the old
hardness, and those of middle age a kind of blend that inclines both to
the first and to the second. In a word, this panel is most beautiful in
all its parts; and it is now to be found in S. Jacopo tra Fossi on the
Canto degli Alberti, together with others by the hand of the same
master.

While Andrea was living poorly enough in Florence, engaged in these
works, but without bettering himself a whit, the two pictures that he
had sent to France had been duly considered in that country by King
Francis I; and among many others which had been sent from Rome, from
Venice, and from Lombardy, they had been judged to be by far the best.
The King therefore praising them mightily, it was remarked to him that
it would be an easy matter to persuade Andrea to come to France to serve
his Majesty; which news was so agreeable to the King, that he gave
orders that all that was necessary should be done, and that money for
the journey should be paid to Andrea in Florence. Andrea then set out
for France with a glad heart, taking with him his assistant Andrea
Sguazzella; and, having arrived at last at the Court, they were received
by the King with great kindness and rejoicing. Before the very day of
his arrival had passed by, Andrea proved for himself how great were the
courtesy and the liberality of that magnanimous King, receiving presents
of money and rich and honourable garments. Beginning to work soon
afterwards, he became so dear to the King and to all the Court, that he
was treated lovingly by everyone, and it appeared to him that his
departure from his country had brought him from one extreme of
wretchedness to the other extreme of bliss. Among hi