Of this work, therefore, the Pontiff availed himself continually during the siege of Florence, keeping it always in his chamber, and consulting it on all occasions, when he received his letters and despatches, being guided thereby as to where and how he might arrange his camp, on what points attacks might be made, and in short, conducting his operations by the guidance of that plan in all the accidents, events, discussions, and conversations, by which the duration of that siege was accompanied; all to the great satisfaction of his Holiness, the work being in truth a very remarkable and admirable one.[1]
During the time that the siege was proceeding, Tribolo executed various works in clay for his friends; and for Andrea del Sarto, who was one of his most intimate associates, he made three figures of wax in full relief, of which Andrea availed himself in the painting in fresco which he executed on the Piazza near the Condotta, and wherein he represented from the life, three captains, who, having fled with the pay of the troops which had been entrusted to them, were there exposed suspended by one foot.[2]
Now at this time Benvenuto di Lorenzo della Volpaia was summoned to Pome by the Pope, whither he repaired accordingly to kiss the feet of his Holiness, by whom he was appointed superintendent of the Belvidere with a very honourable stipend. In this office Benvenuto had frequent conversations with the Pontiff, and did not fail to extol Tribolo as an excellent sculptor whenever he could find an opportunity for doing so, recommending him very warmly and in such sort, that when the siege was concluded, Pope Clement resolved to take him also into his service. His Holiness had at that time formed the determination to complete the chapel of Our Lady at Loretto, which having been
- ↑ The reader connot have failed to remark the rectitude of our author’s judgment, the sympathy which he has ever ready for the good, and his abhorrence of all things base and wicked. Yet he passes over this action of Tribolo without a comment. Is not this another instance of the effect that may be produced by a divided allegiance? Would Vasari have remained thus passive and silent in the presence of an act of treachery, had the treason been committed for a mere temporal ruler?
- ↑ These paintings have long since perished.
but is the existence of that division of duty, which gives its power to such a motive, no evil?
