NASCETVR CHRISTVS IN BETHLEHEM ANNVN CIABITVR IN NAZARETH REGNANTE TAVRO PACI FICO FUNDATORE QVIE TIS. O FELIX MATER CV IVSVBERA ILLVM LACTA BVNT
(Christ shall be born in Bethlehem. He shall be announced in Nazareth, the peaceful Taurus (the Bull) being in the ascendant, the founder of peace. Oh Happy Mother whose breast shall give him milk.)
This Sibyl was designed by Benvenuto di Giovanni del Guasta in 1483,[52] and is a fine specimen of his work; but it is not known definitely who executed this, or indeed any of the four remaining Sibyls. We read, however, that Giuliano di Biagio was in this year paid 41 lire 15 soldi for the carriage of 9,310 lbs. of marble for this work,[53] so presumably he and his assistants executed some if not all of them. 2,149 lire 35 c. were paid for the restoration of this Sibyl in 1866–69.
Of this Sibyl we know nothing, and can only point out, as in the case of the Delphic and Erythraean Sibyls, that the latter of those prophetesses, though born in the Troad, made her principal abode at Samos: and that thus these three may have been one and the same person. We are told, by the label beneath her representation, that she is spoken of by Eratosthenes, a writer quoted by Lactantius, and whose work was one of the first books printed in Italy in 1465.
ALINARI PHOTO.] [DESIGNED BY MATTEO DI GIOVANNI BARTOLI
This figure is one of the most beautiful of all the ten Sibyls, and well it may be, seeing that it was designed by that delightful draughtsman and earnest artist, Matteo di Giovanni Bartoli. A slender princess, with flowing draperies, she supports with her left hand a handsomely-bound open volume. A curious and characteristic feature of Matteo’s work is evident in the charming cherub-head, with outspread wings, that clasps a girdle round her robe below the hips. Beside her on a tablet, upborne by two lion-headed figures, is the following inscription:
TV ENIM STVLTA IVDAEA DEVM TVVM NON CO GNOVISTI LVCENTEM MORTALIVM MENTI- BVS SED ET SPINIS CO RONASTI HORRIDVM QVE FEL MISCVISTI
(For thou, foolish Judaea! hast not known thy God, shining in the minds of men. But thou hast both crowned Him with thorns, and hast mixed for Him nauseous gall.)
At the foot of the tablet is the designer’s signature, with the date 1483. (Ill. VII.)