The Lives of the Painters is about exactly what the title states - biographies of painters and sculptors and architects, beginning with Giovanni Cimabue, a religious painter from Florence, Italy. It's pretty amazing to think his childhood was like any other normal boy, enthralled with art over school work. I could see him doodling with his bird feather and dye! (Cimabue, 1240 - 1302.) Other artist biographies included Arnolfo Di Lapo (1232 - 1302), a father and son team named Niccola and Giovanni Pisani (1205 - 1328), Andrea Tafi (1213? - 1294), Gaddo Gaddi (1259 - 1333), Gotto (1216 - 1293?) and on and on.

Disclaimer: Vasari admits that the statements made about some lives are not to be accepted as absolute truth. In fact, many of the footnotes correct Vasari and point out inaccuracies. ( )