Of these men, and their work, nothing is known, but the notices already quoted.
6. 1398. Sano, or Ansano di Maestro Matteo.
Of this sculptor and architect, notices exist from 1392 to 1429. He was a native of Siena, and might have been the son of the Matteo di Bartolo mentioned above, although we cannot prove it. He married twice: first, Cristofora di Cecco di Domenico; and secondly, after her death, a certain Madonna Bartolommea. In 1402, we find him witness to a contract, given to Giacomo di Giovanni, “a key-maker” (chiavaio) to make an iron railing round the pulpit in the Duomo in Siena. In 1404, he held the post of Petrone, or valuer, to the Commune, and Director of the City water-supply, and was re-appointed in 1407. In 1408 and in 1409, we also find him recommending Cristoforo di Francesco, a Sienese sculptor, first to the Orvieto Cathedral authorities, and then to the Signoria of Siena. He was, in 1416, elected Castellan of the fortalice of Montalcino, but, being engaged to assist Giacomo della Quercia in his work on the Fonte Gaia, sent Maestro Giovanni di Giacomo, as his lieutenant.[149] He was Capo-maestro of the Duomo at Orvieto for various periods during the years 1407–1425, and during that time he made the font there.[150] He also added a new chapel to the Cathedral. In 1416, he too was among the artists employed on the Font in the Baptistery at Siena, and in 1426–27, he was called to Perugia to superintend the drainage works of Lake Thrasymene. Among the Sienese State Records of 1427–28 are three letters from the Signoria to him, apologizing for not sending him an apprentice, but recalling him home: together with letters addressed, one to the Pope’s Legate, Bishop Pietro Donato, and the other to Antonio Casini, Cardinal of San Marcello, asking leave for him to return: the object being, that he should build the Loggia di S. Paolo, (now the Casino dei Nobili). Among the documents extracted by Signori Borghesi and Banchi, we find several referring to work done by Sano at Perugia: among other things, the construction of a mill at Ragulano. We also learn that, for the months of May and June, 1414, he was Gonfaloniere of the Compagnia di Rialto e Cartagne. He had two daughters: Caterina, born on July 30th, 1405; and Mattia, who married Gherardo di Niccolo.[151]
7. 1398. Luca di Cecco.
A sculptor, whose signature is also found attached to the document mentioned above. In 1375, and again in 1377, his name occurs as witness to contracts for works of art: the first, a picture for the High Altar of the Duomo, to be made by Lorenzo di Vanni and Nuccio di Neruccio: the second, a marble statue by Mariano d’Agnolo and Bartolommeo di Tommè, for the Cappella del Campo. In 1386, he was commissioned to make some marble steps for the interior of the Duomo.
8. 1405. Cecco di Giovanni.
Another unrecorded artist.
9. 1406. Marchesse d’ Adamo.
Of this man, or of his stonemason companions from Como, we hear nothing more than the short notice I have given already. We know that Comacene and Lombard workmen, especially masons and sculptors, were labouring in great numbers all over Italy at this period, and that they have left their traces very markedly, throughout all Tuscan and Umbrian Art. We know also, that the stone workers of Siena made a compact with those of Lombardy, residing and working in that town, on the 5th of December, 1473, whereby they gave to them certain privileges on payment of suitable fees.[152]