Volltext Seite (XML)
Ciiap. I. LUCA SIGNORELLI. 25 whom the former held at the baptismal font/ and both closed their careers without any further incident of mark. Signorelli remained chiefly in and about Cortona, where several undated pieces prove the untiring industry with which he attended to the orders of his patrons. The Communion of the apostles, commissioned for the Com- pagnia di Gesu at Cortona, was produced in 1512; — the altarpiece of Montone, now at Citta di Castello, — a Virgin and child for the bishop of Cortona, now in S. Domenico, and the Deposition from the Cross for La Fratta near Perugia, in 1515; a Madonna and saints for the company of S. Girolamo at Arezzo, in 1520. Vasari states that the person who ordered the latter was an advocate named Niccolo Gamurrini, auditor of the Rota, whose portrait was painted by Signorelli in a kneeling attitude before the Virgin and child. He was recommen ded by S. Nicholas, besides whom, SS. Donato, Stephen, Jerom, David, and two prophets occupied places around. When the brothers of the company carried the altarpiece on their shoulders from Cortona to Arezzo, they were ac companied by Signorelli, who lodged during his stay in the house of the Vasari. As this occurred, Giorgio, the historian, being then eight years of age, saw Luca, much stricken in years, but full of benevolence and amiability, and heard him tell his father not to check the child’s propensity for the pursuit of art.'' The impression, which his own observation and the traditions of his family had left, was that Signorelli was of the best manners, sin cere, and loving in his social intercourse, mild and kindly in conversation, and above all, courteous to those who wished for the product of his pencil. His teaching of disciples was easy. He lived well, and liked to appear in fine attire; and his good qualities caused him to be venerated abroad as well as at home. 3 He continued to exercise the duties of his profession to the very last, and 1 Doc. Sen. III. 65. and Gae tano Milanesi, Discorso. ub. sup. 2 Yas. (VI. 144. 5). 3 Yas. (VI. 147).
