Like many another painter, Benozzo Gozzoli (beñ-ot´-so got´-so-lee)
owed much to his master. Fra Angelico painted beautiful angels, and his
pupil seems to have learned some of his skill; for the group of Adoring
Angels in the Riccardi Palace is one of the loveliest to be seen in
all Italy. Early in his life Benozzo was apprenticed to Ghiberti, the
sculptor of the doors of the baptistery at Florence. So splendid are
they that by the Italians they are called "The Doors of Paradise." He
began under a good man. But he could not have remained in that studio
long; for at the age of twenty-seven we find Fra Angelico taking him
with him to Rome as assistant in his work for the Pope.
Two years later Benozzo started out for himself. He worked in several
of the smaller Tuscan towns, until in 1459 the death of several of
the older artists of Florence opened up the way for his return to his
native city.
He was not obliged to wait long; for the Medici soon called upon him
for what proved to be his masterpiece. The palace of the Medici had in
it a small private chapel; to Benozzo they gave the task of decorating
its walls. The subject chosen was "The Adoration of the Magi." We
have three letters written by Benozzo to Piero de' Medici when he was
engaged upon this work. They show that he was using every effort to do
his best. "I have no other thought in my heart," he writes, "but how
best to perfect my work and satisfy your wishes."
The work was well done. Perhaps that is why everyone who today visits
Florence feels that he must see this tiny chapel before he leaves. One
steps from the busy Florentine street, through massive portals, into
a courtyard. From the present we step back into the past. Climbing a
stair, we reach the dim chapel, which is but little changed from the
way it was left by Benozzo. It is as much a monument of his skill as it
is of the munificence of the Medici.
Benozzo's success with this work insured his prosperity. He married and
settled in Florence. Ten years later he moved to Pisa, where he spent
sixteen years painting a series of frescos in the Campo Santo. And in
that lovely, quiet place he lies buried today, near the frescos upon
which he labored so faithfully.
[Illustration: ANGEL OF ANNUNCIATION, BY BURNE-JONES]
_Sir Edward Burne-Jones_