Testament, with one from the New Testament, were painted by Pordenone, in the cloister of San Stefano; mingled with these were figures of different Virtues, wherein he exhibited the most extraordinary foreshortenings. This master was indeed exceedingly fond of such foreshortenings, and took great pleasure in employing them for all his compositions, seeking by preference for such as were most difficult; and he certainly executed them better than any other painter.[1]
The Prince‘Doria of Genoa had built a palace close to the sea shore,[2] and had caused the renowned painter, Perin del Vaga, to decorate a large number of halls, antechambers, and apartments of all kinds, in oil and in fresco. These rooms are most admirable for the richness and beauty of their paintings. But as Perino was not at that time pressing forward the work with great vigour. Prince Doria, by way of giving an impulse to his movements, and also desirous of* awakening a degree of emulation which might induce him to attempt more than he might perhaps accomplish if left to himself, the prince, I say, caused Pordenone to be summoned; and that master there commenced the decoration of an open terrace. In his accustomed manner, he executed a frieze, whereon he depicted a number of Children busily occupied with the unlading of a barque filled with merchandize from foreign parts: they move about in all directions, and their attitudes are most graceful. He likewise painted a large picture, wherein he represented Jason demanding permission from his uncle to depart in search of the Golden Fleece. But Prince Doria, who soon perceived that he had made no advantageous exchange in taking the works of Pordenone for those of Perino,[3] dismissed the former, and caused Domenico Beccafumi of Siena to be summoned in his place, an excellent artist, and much better master than Pordenone.[4]
- ↑ Ridolfi affirms, that while Pordenone was painting in this cloister, he constantly worked with a sword girt to his side and a shield suspended from his arm, adding that he did so in consequence of the hitter enmity subsisting between himself and Titian.
- ↑ This is the Palace of Prince Doria, at Passuolo.
- ↑ Italian and German commentators alike dispute the propriety of our author’s opinion as respects these masters, affirming that if Perino be remarkable for the correctness and purity of his style, Pordenone also possessed very high qualities in art.
- ↑ ‘‘Neither will it be conceded by all authorities,” observes an Italian
