Title on cover added by Transcriber and placed in the Public Domain.
HANDBOOKS OF THE GREAT
CRAFTSMEN. EDITED BY
G. C. WILLIAMSON, Litt.D.
THE PAVEMENT MASTERS OF SIENA
Handbooks of the Great Craftsmen.
Illustrated Monographs, Biographical and Critical, on the GreatCraftsmen and Workers of Ancient and Modern Times.
Edited by G. C. Williamson, Litt.D.
Imperial 16mo, with numerous Illustrations, about 5s. net each.
First Volumes of the Series
THE PAVEMENT MASTERS OF SIENA. Workers inGraffito. By R. H. Hobart Cust, M.A.
PETER VISCHER. Bronze Founder. By Cecil Headlam, B.A.
THE IVORY WORKERS OF THE MIDDLE AGES. ByA. M. Cust.
Others to follow.
LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS
NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO.
THE PAVEMENT MASTERS
OF
SIENA
(1369–1562)
BY
ROBERT H. HOBART CUST, M.A.
MAGDALEN COLLEGE. OXFORD
LONDON
GEORGE BELL AND SONS
1906
Published 1901.
Cheaper re-issue, 1906.
v
PREFACE
The first impression that this book may give,is that I have put the cart before the horse,and that, instead of dwelling on the PavementMasters, I have laid too much stress on the Pavementitself, and too little on the makers of it. A carefulperusal, however, will, I hope, prove that I havebeen right in my reasoning. I have felt strongly,that in order to form a fair idea of these Masters,many,—I may say, most,—of whose names are entirelyunknown to the general English reader, it wasnecessary to give as clear and vivid a picture aswas possible, of this, their greatest work, throughwhich their names live. Most people, who have everheard of Siena, have heard of its Cathedral Pavement:—anunique and historical piece of work:—buthow many have heard of even such greatartists as Pietro del Minella and Antonio Federighi?On this account, it seems to me that the caseneeded treatment such as I have given it. I have,therefore, composed a full and, as far as I couldmake it, a clear account of the chain which connectsthese men together, and then added shortnotices of each, giving all the important facts obtainableabout them. For this purpose, I haveviexamined all the recognized authorities, and triedto introduce any side-lights that may brighten upa somewhat dull record of facts. I have avoidedventuring on criticism: partly because I felt myselfunequal to the task; and partly because my spacewas too limited to allow of such digressions withouta sacrifice of more important matter. Where Ihave put forward a theoretical su