to leave tlie monastery of Santa Maria della Carita, where he had concealed himself, after having taken refuge in Venice, and there secretly served as cook to the monks, an othce which he had held for a considerable time. In this story there are many figures portrayed from the life, with others, all of which are very beautiful.
No long time after, several portraits by this master were taken into Turkey by an ambassador, and presented to the Grand Turk. These works awakened so much astonishment and admiration in that monarch, that although among this people pictures are prohibited by the Mahometan law, the emperor accepted them with great good will, extolling beyond measure both the art and the artist; and, what is more, requiring that the master of the work should be sent to him.[1]
The Senate thereupon, considering that Giovanni had reached an age when he could but ill support fatigue, and not desiring to deprive their city of such a man, he having Ids hands then fully occupied, moreover, with the hall of the Grand Council, resolved to send thither his brother Gentile in his stead, believing that he would do as well for the Turk as Giovanni.[2] Having caused Gentile, therefore, to make liimself ready, they conducted him in their own galleys, with all safety, to Constantinople, where, being presented to the Grand Turk by the lieutenant of the Signori a, he was received by him very willingly, and, being something new, was much caressed, more especially when he had presented Sultan Mahomet with a most charming picture, which that monarch admired exceedingly, scarcely finding it possible to conceive that a mere mortal should have in himself so
- ↑ Sanuto records this fact under the date 1479, and in the following words:—“On the 1st day of August, there comes a Jewish orator with letters from the Signor Turk. He would have the Signoria send him a good painter, and invites the Doge to the marriage of his son.” They replied, “thanking him, and have sentZentil Bellini, an excellent painter,who went with the galleys of Romania. — Morelli, Notizia d’ opere di disegnoj p. 99.
- ↑ This second reason must have been the true one, since Gentile was the elder of the two brothers.—Ed. Flor., 1849.
described, and wore the garb of a simple priest. So far history: that he served as cook to the Monks, is an embellishment which belongs to fable.
