Pinturicchio received on the 13th of March, 1504,[27] twelve lire for this design, which was laid down under his direction, probably by Paolo Mannucci, in 1506.[28]
The last design in the Nave is perhaps the oldest of all; but the actual piece of Pavement that we now see is a complete renovation by Signor Maccari in December, 1864, costing 2,491 lire 98 c. Tizio[29] tells us that it was executed in 1372, and though he does not say who was the author of the design, or who executed the work, we know that Andrea di Minuccio was Operaio at this time,[30] and that under his direction, two years later, the work at “the foot of the Choir” was completed.
We see a wheel with eight columnar spokes. To give an effect of rotatory motion, the border is inlaid in small lozenges of black and white marble, arranged to represent cogs. At the top of the wheel sits a King, enthroned and crowned, with orb and sceptre. Clinging to the two sides and bottom are three figures of men, whose anxiety to retain their hold, as the wheel revolves, is forcibly expressed. The wheel is surrounded by a continuous band of black and white marble, which, looped octagonally at the angles, incloses, in the spaces so formed, half lengths of the following four Sages: Epictetus, Aristotle, Seneca and Euripides. Each Sage holds a scroll, with a quotation from one of his own writings. (Ill. VI.)
LOMBARDI PHOTO.]
[1372. AUTHOR UNKNOWN
VI. THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (No. 37)
This design may be compared with another Wheel of Fortune, inlaid by Domenico del Coro in the lower panel of a door in the Chapel of the Palazzo Comunale. Padre Micheli calls it the Wheel of Ambition,[31] although the wheel itself is inscribed “Rota della Fortuna.” He thus describes it: “To the lower part is a man clinging, beside whom is written the inscription ‘So senza Regno’ (I am without a Kingdom). Half way up the wheel, to his right, clings another figure of a man, this time with the head of an ass, and the inscription ‘Regnero’ (I will reign). On the top of the wheel is seated an ass, with the word ‘Regno’ (I reign); and lastly, on the other side, going downwards, is an ass with a man’s head, and the motto ‘Regnai’ (I have reigned).” The author of this inlaid panel, who must in his former position of Capo-maestro, have known well the larger and older design, probably wished to improve upon it; but it is somewhat remarkable to find it placed among panels symbolising the Articles of Christian Faith.
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Let us now turn to