Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 09 (of 10): Michelagnolo to the FlemingsVasari, Giorgio
History
Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects, Vol. 09 (of 10): Michelagnolo to the Flemings
Vasari, Giorgio
Art, Italian; Artists -- Italy -- Biography
did him great honour, both in the whole composition and in every part
of it, for in the attitudes, the lively expressions of the faces, and
the movements of every figure, were seen invention, design, and
excellent grace.
Now, returning to the high-altar, and facing towards the new sacristy:
in the first picture found there, which came in the space of the first
chapel, there was depicted by the hand of Santi Titi, a young man of
most beautiful judgment and much practised in painting both in
Florence and in Rome, another signal favour paid to the genius of
Michelagnolo, as I believe I mentioned above, by the most illustrious
Lord, Don Francesco de' Medici, Prince of Florence, who, happening to
be in Rome about three years before Michelagnolo died, and receiving a
visit from him, the moment that Buonarroti entered the Prince rose to
his feet, and then, in order to do honour to that great man and to his
truly venerable age, with the greatest courtesy that ever young Prince
showed, insisted--although Michelagnolo, who was very modest,
protested against it--that he should sit in his own chair, from which
he had risen, standing afterwards on his feet to hear him with the
attention and reverence that children are wont to pay to a
well-beloved father. At the feet of the Prince was a boy, executed
with great diligence, who had in his hands a mazzocchio,[6] or Ducal
cap, and around them were some soldiers dressed in ancient fashion,
and painted with much spirit and a beautiful manner; but beyond all
the rest, most beautifully wrought, most lifelike and most natural
were the Prince and Michelagnolo, insomuch that it appeared as if the
old man were in truth speaking, and the young man most intently
listening to his words.
[Footnote 6: See note on p. 132, vol. ii.]
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account