of Apelles, as beautiful as any picture could be. Under this
panel, which Sandro himself presented to Antonio Segni, who was much his
friend, there may now be read the following verses, written by the said
Messer Fabio:

INDICIO QUEMQUAM NE FALSO LAEDERE TENTENT
TERRARUM REGES, PARVA TABELLA MONET.
HUIC SIMILEM AEGYPTI REGI DONAVIT APELLES;
REX FUIT ET DIGNUS MUNERE, MUNUS EO.

[Illustration: THE CALUMNY OF APELLES

(_After the panel by =Sandro Botticelli=. Florence: Uffizi, 1182_)

_M. S._]

FOOTNOTES:

[26] See note on p. 57, Vol. 1.

[27] Mourner, or Weeper.

BENEDETTO DA MAIANO

LIFE OF BENEDETTO DA MAIANO

SCULPTOR AND ARCHITECT

Benedetto da Maiano, a sculptor of Florence, who was in his earliest
years a wood-carver, was held the most able master of all who were then
handling the tools of that profession; and he was particularly excellent
as a craftsman in that form of work which, as has been said elsewhere,
was introduced at the time of Filippo Brunelleschi and Paolo
Uccello--namely, the inlaying of pieces of wood tinted with various
colours, in order to make views in perspective, foliage, and many other
diverse things of fancy. In this craft, then, Benedetto da Maiano was in
his youth the best master that there was to be found, as is clearly
demonstrated by many works of his that are to be seen in various parts
of Florence, particularly by all the presses in the Sacristy of S. Maria
del Fiore, the greater part of which he finished after the death of his
uncle Giuliano; these are full of figures executed in inlaid work,
foliage, and other devices, all wrought with great expense and
craftsmanship. Having gained a very great name through the novelty of
this art, he made many works, which were sent to diverse places and to
various Princes; and among others King Alfonso of Naples had the
furniture for a study, made under the direction of Giuliano, uncle of
Benedetto, who was serving that King as architect. Benedetto himself
went to join him there; but, being displeased with the position, he
returned to Florence, where, no long time after, he made for Matthias
Corvinus, King of Hungary, who had many Florentines in his Court and
took delight in all rare works, a pair of coffers inlaid in wood with
difficult and most beautiful craftsmanship. He then determined, being
invited with great favour by that King, to consent to go thither at all
costs; and so, having packed up