Being invited to Hungary by King Matthias, Filippo declined to go thither, but painted two very beautiful pictures in Florence for that monarch, which were sent to him, and in one of which was the portrait of Matthias, as he appears on the medals. Filippo likewise sent various works to Genoa,[1] and for the church of San Domenico, in Bologna, he painted a picture of San Sebastiano, which is worthy of the utmost praise; it is on the left of the chapel of the high altar.[2] For Tanai de’ Nerli, Filippo painted a second picture in the church of San Salvadore, near Florence, and for his friend Piero del Pugliese he executed a story in small figures, finished with so much art and care, that on being requested by another citizen to paint a similar one for him, the master refused to attempt it, declaring that it was impossible for him to produce such another.[3]
After completing these works, Filippo undertook an important one in Borne for the Neapolitan Cardinal, Olivieri Caraffa, being entreated thereto by Lorenzo de’ Medici the elder, who was a friend of the cardinal’s. On his way to Borne for this purpose, Filippo passed through Spoleto at the request of the same Lorenzo, to make arrangements for the construction of a marble tomb for his father. Fra Filippo, which Lorenzo had determined to erect at his own cost, since he could not obtain from the people of Spoleto the remains of Fra Filippo, to deposit them in Florence as he had desired. Filippino prepared a design accordingly in a very good manner; and, after that design, Lorenzo caused the monument to be richly and handsomely constructed, as we have already
- ↑ In the church of San Teodoro in Genoa, is an admirable and well preserved picture by this master; it represents St. Sebastian between St. John the Baptist and St. Francis. In a lunette above these figures is the Virgin with the Child, and with an Angel on each side. This work bears the inscription, Philippus Florentinus faciebat. — Forster.
- ↑ This picture is still in San Domenico, and represents the Marriage of St. Catharine, with St. Paul, St. Sebastian, and other Saints. It bears the following inscription: Opus Filippini Flor. Pict., a. s., m ccccci.— Bianconi, Guida di Bologna.
- ↑ Of the pictures here mentioned as painted for Tanai de’ Nerli, and Piero del Pugliese, no authcTitic account can be obtained. There are two in the Pitti Palace. One, a round picture with the Madonna and Angels; the other, the Death of Lucretia (figures very small), but though both are by Filippino, we will not affirm that these are the works here alluded to by Vasari.— Masselli.
