The plague having finally abated to a certain extent, Cipriano d’Anghiari, a rich man of Arezzo, who had caused a chapel, with columns and rich decorations of Pietra Serena, to be constructed in those days at the abbey of Santa Fiora, in Arezzo; Cipriano d’ Anghiari, I say, having built this chapel, commissioned Griovan-Antonio to paint the altarpiece, the price whereof was to be a hundred crowns. Meanwhile the painter Rosso passed through Arezzo on his way to Rome, and taking up his abode with Lappoli, who was his intimate friend, then heard of the work which the latter had undertaken, and at the wish of Griovan-Antonio, Rosso prepared him a little sketch for the figures, which he made entirely nude, and of great beauty. Lappoli then commenced his work, imitating the design of Rosso, and representing in his picture the Visitation of Our Lady to Sant’ Elizabetta, with a figure of the Almighty Father, and others of Angels under the form of children, in the Lunette above, copying the draperies and all other parts of the work, from life or natural objects. When this work was concluded, G-iovan-Antonio was highly extolled, and received great commendation, more particularly for some of the heads, which he portrayed in an excellent manner, and much to his own advantage, from the life.[1]
But being fully persuaded that if he would attain to higher eminence in Art, he must leave Arezzo, the plague had no sooner ceased in Rome than Giovan- Antonio Lappoli determined to proceed thither; knowing too that Perino del Vaga, II Rosso, and many others of his friends had returned to that city, and were there executing numerous important works. While he was in this mind, an occasion presented itself, whereby he was enabled to fulfil his intention very commodiously, seeing that there arrived in Arezzo at that time the secretary of Pope Clement VII., Messer Paolo Valdarabrini, who returning to Rome in all speed from France, passed through Arezzo to see his brothers and kindred, who were abiding there. Him Giovan-Antonio proceeded to visit, when Messer Paolo, who earnestly desired that his native city of Arezzo should produce good men and distinguished artists in all vocations, and who desired to show what was
- ↑ The Visitation is still in its place, but the figures described as depicted above it are no longer there. —Masselli.
