Book review giorgio vasari lives of the artist perugino

“How Beneficial poverty may sometimes be to the talented people and great its power to make them perfect or outstanding in one capacity or another.” (BULL 86)

So begins the life of Pietro Perugino born Pietro di Cristoforo Vanucci as written by Vasari. In fact he dedicates the next two pages writing in the same vein. Vasari's writing at length on the subject gives one the impression that hard endeavor was something he vigorously approved of.Vasari was a prolific artist himself and therefore of an industrious nature. He quotes Perugino as always saying "that after bad weather there has to be good." (1) It could almost reflect the preaching of the Church, live your life the best you can according to the good book and all your hardships will be rewarded in heaven.

Vasari claims that according to popular report, Perugino was born in Perugia by a poor person. However records show this to be incorrect. Pietro was born into a wealthy family from the Citta del Pieve a small town in the territory of Perugia. Records show Perugino returning to his home town to pay a wine tax after the death of his father in 1469. (Garibaldi 4)

Describing the reason why Perugino came to Florence gives Vasari the opportunity to wax lyrical on the virtues of the city. He begins by recounting the story of Pietro asking his master in Perugia where the best masters were and his master replied Florence and then commences to give reasons why. It seems here though that it is Vasari answering Perugino and not the master. However it is interesting to see the reasons he gives for Florence's ascendency in the sphere of the arts. The first reason he gives is that all Florentines are critics and free spirits, Vasari could here be referring to the city's once proud republican history. A sense of equality amongst the citizens. However, given that his book was dedicated to Duke Cosimo Medici who was the first Medici Duke it would seem unlikely. Vasari then continues that Florentines' had to employ constant intelligence and judgment and also to be able to make money. The reason for this is because the countryside around Florence was not fertile and therefore it was difficult to make a living. From this one gets the feel of the current economic climate.

The importance of Perugino as an artist can be shown by the many masters he taught. Vasari writes of Rocco Zoppo, Pintoricchio, Lo Spagna, and L'Ingegno to name but a few, all outstanding artists and as already mentioned Raphael.

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