Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 05 (of 10): Andrea da Fiesole to Lorenzo LottoVasari, Giorgio
History
Lives of the Most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 05 (of 10): Andrea da Fiesole to Lorenzo Lotto
Vasari, Giorgio
Art, Italian; Artists -- Italy -- Biography
In the Borgo Nuovo they executed a facade in sgraffito, and on the Canto
della Pace another likewise in sgraffito; with a facade of the house of
the Spinoli, not far from that last-mentioned, on the way to the
Parione, containing athletic contests according to the custom of the
ancients, and their sacrifices, and the death of Tarpeia. Near the Torre
di Nona, on the side towards the Ponte S. Angelo, may be seen a little
facade with the Triumph of Camillus and an ancient sacrifice. In the
road that leads to the Imagine di Ponte, there is a most beautiful
facade with the story of Perillus, showing him being placed in the
bronze bull that he had made; wherein great effort may be seen in those
who are thrusting him into that bull, and terror in those who are
waiting to behold a death so unexampled, besides which there is the
seated figure of Phalaris (so I believe), ordaining with an imperious
air of great beauty the punishment of the inhuman spirit that had
invented a device so novel and so cruel in order to put men to death
with greater suffering. In this work, also, may be perceived a very
beautiful frieze of children, painted to look like bronze, and other
figures. Higher up than this they painted the facade of the house where
there is the image which is called the Imagine di Ponte, wherein are
seen several stories illustrated by them, with the Senatorial Order
dressed in the garb of ancient Rome. And in the Piazza della Dogana,
beside S. Eustachio, there is a facade of battle-pieces; and within that
church, on the right as one enters, may be perceived a little chapel
with figures painted by Polidoro.
They also executed another above the Farnese Palace for the Cepperelli,
and a facade behind the Minerva in the street that leads to the
Maddaleni; and in the latter, which contains scenes from Roman history,
may be seen, among other beautiful things, a frieze of children in
triumph, painted to look like bronze, and executed with supreme grace
and extraordinary beauty. On the facade of the Buoni Auguri, near the
Minerva, are some very beautiful stories of Romulus, showing him when he
is marking out the site of his city with the plough, and when the
vultures are flying over him; wherein the vestments, features, and
persons of the ancients are so well imitated, that it truly appears as
if these were the very men themselves. Certain it is that in that field
of art no man ever had such power of design, such practised mastery, a
more beautiful manner, or greater facility. And every craftsman is so
struck with wonder every time that he sees these works, that he cannot
but be amazed at the manner in which Nature has been able in this age to
present her marvels to us by means of these men.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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