Art
The angel who silenced the master
According to Vasari, in 1475 the young Leonardo painted an angel in Verrocchio's "Baptism of Christ" so perfect that the master, humiliated, never touched a brush again. From that episode was born the Italian saying "l'allievo ha superato il maestro" (the pupil has surpassed the master). In reality, Verrocchio continued to paint. But the legend is truer than history: it tells not what happened, but what had to happen; the passing of the torch, the pride of the master who recognises the genius of the pupil. Every time we use those words, we celebrate that kneeling angel and the transmission of knowledge.
