twentieth year when Niccolo Delli his father, being keeper (1424) of the fortress of Montecerro, in the Tuscan Romagna, surrendered it to the forces of Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan. For this treason, as it was then considered, he was sentenced (in contumaciam) to death on the twenty first of Nov., and fled to Sienna. Here Dello succeeded in finding employment, and executed a brass figure that struck the time on the top of the tower of the Palazzo. 1 From Sienna, Niccolo and his sons proceeded to Venice (about 1427), where they remained some time; Dello causing his name to he registered pro forma in the guild of the Speciali at Florence (1433). 2 Dissatisfied with his new residence, and perhaps unable to earn, Dello emigrated to Spain and is proved by the income tax return of his mother, Orsa, (Florence 1442) to have lived in Seville for many years. His fortune was such, that in the course of time he gained wealth and the title of “Cavaliere”, and on his return to Florence he claimed and obtained from his native city (1447 new style) the re cognition of that title. 3 He returned to Spain in 1448, 4 and is recorded by Filareto. as still living in 1464—6, the period in which the “Trattato d'architettura” was written. The twenty four episodes of the Genesis which Dello is said to have painted in the cloister of S. M. Novella are all more or less defective in style and execution, and the last twelve slightly differ from the first; but the same spirit pervades all the compositions of the series. Some scenes indeed are not without interest, but it is not possible to find one in which a petty conception, a rude and hasty execution are not combined. The frescos seem the weak production of a man who followed, and made but slight approach to, the manner of Masolino, and who contrasts most unfavorably with his competitor in this very cloister, Paolo Uccelli. They may have been carried out by an and the church S.S. Dodici Apos- toli. Vas. Vol. III. p. 46. 1 Doc. Sen. ub. sup. Vol. II. p. 390. 2 “1432—33. XXVI. Januarii. Pro Dello Nicolai Delli picture populi S. Fred, de Flor.” (Giorn. Stor. ub. sup. p. 11.) 3 The record by which Dello or Daniello received the “ insegne della liberta e del popolo” at Florence is in Giornale Stor. ub. sup. p. 27. It is dated June 27. 1446. 4 Vasari states that Dello re turned to Spain because he could not bear the raillery of those who had known him in a humbler character than that of “Cava liere”. Vol. III. p. 50.