The most celebrated of all the early engravers. The first impression from any engraved metal plate is dated 1454. Within sixty years, Marcantonio had carried the art to perfection. At Rome he was patronized for some years by Raffaelle, who employed him to engrave some of his most exquisite designs. The finest works of Marcantonio now bear a very high value for their beauty and rarity. Unhappily he was a bad man. He began his career as an artist by using his skill to pirate some of the works of Albert Durer. After Raffaelle’s death, he was banished from Rome by Clement VII. for gross immorality, fled to Bologna, fell into poverty, and is supposed to have died assassinated. [By Massimiliano Laboureur. The best specimens of Marcantonio’s engraving are in the Imperial collection at Vienna.] 152. CORREGGIO, or ANTONIO ALLEGRI. _Painter._ [Born at Correggio, in Italy, 1493 or 1494. Died there, 1534. Aged 40 or 41.] Of his private life and character little is known, but his works are justly admired throughout the civilized world, while his frescos in the cupola of the Cathedral at Parma have earned for him undying fame. He painted in oil and fresco. In our National Gallery we have several of his admirable productions. As an artist, remarkable for exquisite sensibility. “In his compositions,” says Kugler, “all is life and motion. All his pictures express the overflowing consciousness of life; the impulse of love and pleasure.” Delicate in perception, with great quickness, subtlety, and depth of feeling. His forms not always beautiful, but his treatment of light and shade masterly, and almost unique. [There is no bust of Correggio from the life; this is by Philippo Albacini, and no doubt from some authentic painted portrait.] 153. POLIDORO CALDARE DA CARAVAGGIO. _Painter._ [Born at Caravaggio, in Lombardy, 1495. Died at Messina, 1543. Aged 48.] Was employed by Raffaelle to assist him in the Vatican, having been originally a mason. Afterwards became distinguished as an ornamental painter. He was assassinated by his servant for the sake of his money. [He was buried in the Cathedral at Messina. The Bust is by Massimiliano Laboureur.] 154. GIULIO ROMANO, or GIULIO PIPPI DE’ GIANNUZZI. _Architect and Painter._ [Born at Rome, 1499. Died at Mantua, 1546. Aged 47.] A pupil of Raffaelle, by whom he was employed on works at the Vatican. Invited by the Marquis of Mantua to the city of that name, where he was raised to the rank of nobility, provided with a house, a salary of 500 gold ducats, board for himself and his pupils, a horse, and some yards of silk velvet and cloth for clothing. Built many palaces in Mantua, and painted much in fresco. His later works are wanting in grace and purity, and display wildness and even coarseness. Yet he has a memorable name as one of the Roman school of art. [This bust is by Alessandro d’Este.] 155. ANDREA PALLADIO. _Architect._