Messina, where he had confirmed by his works the good opinion
that his countrymen had of his excellent ability in painting. This man,
then, going once on some business of his own from Sicily to Naples,
heard that the said King Alfonso had received from Flanders the
aforesaid panel by the hand of Johann of Bruges, painted in oil in such
a manner that it could be washed, would endure any shock, and was in
every way perfect. Thereupon, having contrived to obtain a view of it,
he was so strongly impressed by the liveliness of the colours and by the
beauty and harmony of that painting, that he put on one side all other
business and every thought and went off to Flanders. Having arrived in
Bruges, he became very intimate with the said Johann, making him
presents of many drawings in the Italian manner and other things,
insomuch that the latter, moved by this and by the respect shown by
Antonello, and being now old, was content that he should see his method
of colouring in oil; wherefore Antonello did not depart from that place
until he had gained a thorough knowledge of that way of colouring, which
he desired so greatly to know. And no long time after, Johann having
died, Antonello returned from Flanders in order to revisit his native
country and to communicate to all Italy a secret so useful, beautiful,
and advantageous. Then, having stayed a few months in Messina, he went
to Venice, where, being a man much given to pleasure and very
licentious, he resolved to take up his abode and finish his life, having
found there a mode of living exactly suited to his taste. And so,
putting himself to work, he made there many pictures in oil according to
the rules that he had learned in Flanders; these are scattered
throughout the houses of noblemen in that city, where they were held in
great esteem by reason of the novelty of the work. He made many others,
also, which were sent to various places. Finally, having acquired fame
and great repute there, he was commissioned to paint a panel that was
destined for S. Cassiano, a parish church in that city. This panel was
wrought by Antonio with all his knowledge and with no sparing of time;
and when finished, by reason of the novelty of the colouring and the
beauty of the figures, which he had made with good design, it was much
commended and held in very great price. And afterwards, when men
heard of the new secret that he had brought from Flanders to that city,
he was ever loved and cherished by