Note 256 — Chapter XVI · (XXX.)
Louisa S. Maclehose translation
The Duomo of Siena is a veritable museum of floor decorations in incised outlines and in black and white, in the various processes described by Vasari. There is a good notice of them in Labarte, Histoire des Arts Industriels. None of the work is as early as the time of Duccio, but Beccafumi executed a large amount of it. See the Life of that artist by Vasari.
It is worthy of notice that Dante had something of this kind in his thoughts, when in the 12th Canto of the Purgatorio he describes the figure designs on the ground of the first circle of Purgatory.
‘So saw I there ...
... with figures covered
Whate’er of pathway from the mount projects.
· · · · ·
O Niobe! with what afflicted eyes
Thee I beheld upon the pathway traced,
Between thy seven and seven children slain!
O Saul! how fallen upon thy proper sword
Didst thou appear there lifeless in Gilboa
That felt thereafter neither rain nor dew!
· · · · ·
Whoe’er of pencil master was or stile,
That could portray the shades and traits which there
Would cause each subtle genius to admire?
Dead seemed the dead, the living seemed alive;
Better than I saw not who saw the truth,
All that I trod upon while bowed I went.’
Longfellow’s Translation.