held the office of master of the mosaic workers in the
Cathedral of Pisa, where some of his own mosaics still remain.

Of his wall-paintings I shall say nothing except to tell you that the
finest are in the Upper Church at Assisi, where one sees the first step in
the development of the art of Tuscany. But I wish to tell the story of one
of his panel pictures, which is very interesting. It is now in the
Rucellai Chapel of the Church of Santa Maria Novella, in Florence, and it
is only just in me to say that if one of my readers walked through that
church and did not know about this picture, it is doubtful if he would
stop to look at it--certainly he would not admire it. The story is that
when Cimabue was about thirty years old he was busy in painting this
picture of the Madonna Enthroned, and he would not allow any one to see
what he was doing.

It happened, however, that Charles of Anjou, being on his way to Naples,
stopped in Florence, where the nobles did everything in their power for
his entertainment. Among other places they took him to the studio of
Cimabue, who uncovered his picture for the first time. Many persons then
flocked to see it, and were so loud in their joyful expressions of
admiration for it that the part of the city in which the studio was has
since been called the _Borgo Allegri_, or the "joyous quarter."

When the picture was completed the day was celebrated as a festival; a
procession was formed; bands of music played joyful airs; the magistrates
of Florence honored the occasion with their presence; and the picture was
borne in triumph to the church. Cimabue must have been very happy at this
great appreciation of his art, and from that time he was famous in all
Italy.

[Illustration: FIG. 28.--THE MADONNA OF THE CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA
NOVELLA.]

Another madonna by this master is in the Academy of Florence, and one
attributed to him is in the Louvre, in Paris.

Cimabue died about 1302, and was buried in the Church of Santa Maria del
Fiore, or the Cathedral of Florence. Above his tomb these words were
inscribed: "Cimabue thought himself master of the field of painting. While
living, he was so. Now he holds his place among the stars of heaven."

Other artists who were important in this early time of the revival of
painting were ANDREA TAFI, a mosaist of Florence, MARGARITONE OF AREZZO,
GUIDO OF SIENA, and of the same city DUCCIO, the son of Buoninsegna. This
last painter flourished from 1282 to