prisoners being sent to labour there, to the end that the fabric might be thus the more rapidly brought to completion. The old fortress in the city of Arezzo had at this time been destroyed; wherefore Antonio prepared the model for the new one, with the consent of Giuliano, who came on account of business connected with that matter from Rome, but very soon returned thither. This work of the fortress of Arezzo caused Antonio to be chosen architect to the commune of Florence, by which he was appointed superintendent over all the fortifications of the state.
On the return of Giuliano to Rome, the question as to whether the sepulchral monument of Pope Julius should be constructed by the divine Michael Angelo Buonarroti, was in debate; when Giuliano encouraged the pontiff to that undertaking: he even declared that for such a purpose it would be proper to erect a chapel specifically appropriated to the exclusive reception thereof, and not place the tomb in the old church of San Pietro, wherein there was indeed no longer space for it; whereas the chapel which he recommended would render the work perfect. Numerous artists having then made designs, the question became a subject of so much consideration, that by little and little they arrived at the determination not to construct a chapel only, but to commence the vast fabric of the new San Pietro.
At that time, the architect Bramante of Castel Durante arrived in Rome, after having been for some time in Lombardy, when this master had so many proposals to make, and exhibited such extraordinary resources, some of his plans being indeed altogether out of the usual practice, that having won over Baldassare Peruzzi and Rafifaello da Urbino[1] to his opinions, he changed the whole character of the work. Much time was then consumed in discussion, but the effect of Bramante’s proceedings and the force of his representations, ultimately caused the building to be committed to his care, he having shown a more profound judgment, superior intelligence, and richer powers of invention than any of the other masters.
This decision caused the utmost displeasure to Giuliano,
- ↑ Bottari seeks to prove from this passage that RafFael was in Rome, before Bramante had ever visited that city, but the authorities consider him to have failed, and it is certain that Vasari does more than once himself aihrm the direct contrary.
