f. The Tabernacle of the Sacrament in
the Duomo of Volterra is likewise by his hand, with the two angels
standing one on either side of it, so well and so diligently executed
that this work is deservedly praised by all craftsmen.

Finally, attempting one day to move certain stones, and not having the
needful assistance at hand, Mino fatigued himself so greatly that he was
seized by pleurisy and died of it; and he was honourably buried by his
friends and relatives in the Canon's house at Fiesole in the year 1486.
The portrait of Mino is in our book of drawings, but I do not know by
whose hand; it was given to me together with some drawings made with
blacklead by Mino himself, which have no little beauty.

LORENZO COSTA

LIFE OF LORENZO COSTA

PAINTER OF FERRARA

Although men have ever practised the arts of design more in Tuscany than
in any other province of Italy, and perhaps of Europe, yet it is none
the less true that in every age there has arisen in the other provinces
some genius who has proved himself rare and excellent in the same
professions, as has been shown up to the present in many of the Lives,
and will be demonstrated even more in those that are to follow. It is
true, indeed, that where there are no studies, and where men are not
disposed by custom to learn, they are not able to advance so rapidly or
to become so excellent as they do in those places where craftsmen are
for ever practising and studying in competition. But as soon as one or
two make a beginning, it seems always to come to pass that many
others--such is the force of excellence--strive to follow them, with
honour both for themselves and for their countries.

Lorenzo Costa of Ferrara, being inclined by nature to the art of
painting, and hearing that Fra Filippo, Benozzo, and others were
celebrated and highly esteemed in Tuscany, betook himself to Florence in
order to see their works; and on his arrival, finding that their manner
pleased him greatly, he stayed there many months, striving to imitate
them to the best of his power, particularly in drawing from nature. In
this he succeeded so happily, that, after returning to his own country,
although his manner was a little dry and hard, he made many praiseworthy
works there; as may be seen from the choir of the Church of S. Domenico
in Ferrara, wrought entirely by his hand, from which it is evident that
he used great diligence in his art and put much labour into his works.
In t