s, but also to add so many things, that many of the Lives may
be said to have been almost written anew; while some, indeed, even of
the old masters, which were not there before, have been added. Nor, the
better to revive the memory of those whom I so greatly honour, have I
grudged the great labour, pains and expense of seeking out their
portraits, which I have placed at the head of their Lives. And for the
greater satisfaction of many friends not of our profession, who are yet
devoted lovers of art, I have included in a compendium the greater part
of the works of those who are still living and are worthy to be for ever
renowned on account of their abilities; for that scruple which formerly
restrained me can have no place here in the opinion of any thoughtful
reader, since I deal with no works save those that are excellent and
worthy of praise. And this may perchance serve as a spur to make every
craftsman continue to labour worthily and advance unceasingly from good
to better; insomuch that he who shall write the rest of this history,
may be able to give it more grandeur and majesty, having occasion to
describe those rarer and more perfect works which, begun from time to
time through the desire of immortality, and finished by the loving care
of intellects so divine, the world in days to come shall see issuing
from your hands. And the young men who follow with their studies,
incited by hope of glory (if hope of gain has not enough force), may
perchance be inspired by such an example to attain to excellence.

And to the end that this work may prove to be in every way complete, and
that there may be no need to seek anything outside its pages, I have
added a great part of the works of the most celebrated craftsmen of
antiquity, both Greek and of other nations, whose memory has been
preserved down to our own day by Pliny and other writers, without whose
pens they would have been buried, like many others, in eternal oblivion.
And this consideration, also, may perchance increase the willingness of
men in general to labour valiantly, and may impel and inspire us all, as
we behold the nobility and greatness of our art, and how she has always
been prized and rewarded by all nations, and particularly by the most
lofty minds and the most powerful Princes, to leave the world adorned by
works infinite in number and unsurpassed in excellence; whence, rendered
beautiful by us, it may give to us that rank which it has given to those
ever