Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 08 (of 10): Bastiano to Taddeo ZuccheroVasari, Giorgio
History
Lives of the most Eminent Painters Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 08 (of 10): Bastiano to Taddeo Zucchero
Vasari, Giorgio
Art, Italian; Artists -- Italy -- Biography
By these works Girolamo came into very great credit in Rome, and in the
year 1550 he was introduced by the above-named Cardinal, his lord, who
loved him dearly, into the service of Pope Julius III, who made him
architect over the works of the Belvedere, giving him rooms in that
place and a good salary. But, since that Pontiff could never be
satisfied in such matters, and, to make it worse, was hindered by
understanding very little of design, and would not have in the evening a
thing that had pleased him in the morning, and also because Girolamo had
to be always contending with certain old architects, to whom it seemed
strange to see a new man of little reputation preferred to themselves,
he resolved, having perceived their envy and possible malignity, and
also being rather cold by nature than otherwise, to retire. And so he
chose, as the better course, to return to the service of the Cardinal at
Monte Cavallo; for which action Girolamo was much commended, for it is
too wretched a life to have to be always contending all day long and on
every least detail with one person or another, and, as he used to say,
it is at times better to enjoy peace of mind on bread and water than to
sweat and strive amid grandeur and honours. Wherefore, after Girolamo
had executed for his lord the Cardinal a very beautiful picture, which,
when I saw it, pleased me very much, being now weary, he returned with
him to Ferrara, to enjoy the peace of his home with his wife and
children, leaving the hopes and rewards of fortune in the possession of
his adversaries, who received from that Pope the same as he had done,
neither more nor less.
While he was living thus at Ferrara, a part of the Castle was burned, I
know not by what mischance, and Duke Ercole gave the charge of restoring
it to Girolamo, who did it very well, adorning it as much as is possible
in that district, which suffers from a great dearth of stone wherewith
to make carvings and ornaments; for which he well deserved to be always
held dear by that lord, who rewarded him liberally for his labours.
Finally, after having executed these and many other works, Girolamo died
in the year 1556, at the age of fifty-five, and was buried in the Church
of the Angeli, beside his wife. He left two daughters, and also three
sons, Giulio, Annibale, and another.
Girolamo was a blithe spirit, very sweet and pleasing in his
conversation, and in his work somewhat slow and dilatory. He was of
middle stature, and he delighted beyond measure in music, and more in
the pleasures of love than was perhaps expedient. The buildings of his
patrons have been carried on since his death by the Ferrarese architect
Galasso, a man of the most beautiful genius, and of such judgment in
matters of architecture, that, in so far as may be seen from the
ordering of his designs, he would have demonstrated his worth much more
than he has done, if he had been employed in works of importance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account