THE ARCHITECT BRAMANTE, OF URBINO[1]
[born 1444—died 1514.]
Very important advantages, witliout doubt, resulted to architecture from the new methods of proceeding adopted by Filippo Brunelleschi, he having imitated, and, after the lapse of many ages, restored to light, the most important works of the learned and excellent masters of antiquity. But no less useful to our age was Bramante, for, preserving the traces of Filippo and following in his footsteps, being also full of determination, power, genius, and knowledge, not theoretic only but extensively and thoroughly practical, he rendered the road to the acquirement of true science in architecture most secure and easy to all who followed after him.[2] A more exalted genius could not well have been imparted by nature to any artist, than that conferred on Bramante, nor could any master display a more profound acquaintance with the principles of his art, more rigid adherence to the proportions of his works, or a richer variety of invention in their decoration, than may be found in those executed by this architect. But not even all these qualities were more than was demanded at that time, seeing that Julius II., a prince full of the boldest designs and earnestly desirous of leaving due memorials of himself to succeeding ages, was then Pope. And very fortunate was it, both for him and for us, that Bramante did meet with such a prince (for very rarely does such good fortune happen to men of great genius), one at whose cost he was furnished with opportunities which rendered it possible for
- ↑ Writers are by no means agreed as to the name of this master; the architect Cesariano, who declares himself to have been his scholar, calls him “Donato of Urbino, called Bramante.” According to Mazzucchelli, he subscribed himself, “Bramante Asdrubaldino;” but Pagave, citing authentic documents, calls him “Bramante Lazzari.” — See further Pungileoni, Memorie sulla vita di Donato o Donnino Bramante, &c., Rome, 1836.
- ↑ D’Agincourt, in his admirable work, L'Histoire de VArt d^apres les Monumens, Paris, 1823, has a passage, which we quote from the German edition of Vasari, to the following effect:—“Brunelleschi and Leon Batista Alberti may be said to have recalled the ancient style of architecture to life, but it is Bramante to whom we are indebted for its firm establishment, and who has found means to adapt it to the requirements of modern life.”
