Bernardo Dovizio, Cardinal of Bibbiena, had now returned from France, and having there remarked that the king had no works of any kind in marble, whether ancient or modern, although he took much pleasure in each, the Cardinal promised his Majesty so to manage with the Pope that the latter should be induced to send him something very beautiful in that kind. After the Cardinal came also two ambassadors from the King of France to the Pontiff, and they, having seen the statues of the Belvedere, extolled above all things the group of the Laocoon,[1] praising it as much as words could praise. Then the Cardinal de’ Medici, and Bibbiena who was with them, inquired if such a group as that would be acceptable to their king, to which they replied that it would be too rich a gift; whereupon the Cardinal made answer, “Either this shall be sent to his Majesty, or one so exactly similar that no difference shall be discernible.” And having determined to cause one instantly to be executed in imitation of the antique, he remembered Baccio, and sending for him, he asked if he had courage to attempt the execution of a Laocoon which should equal the first. To this Bandinelli replied that he was bold to declare himself capable not only of making a group similar to that, but one which should surpass it in perfection.[2]
The Cardinal having resolved therefore that the work should be commenced, Baccio, while the marble was being procured, made a model in wax which was very much commended; he also made a cartoon in white lead and charcoal, this last being the size of that in marble. Bandinelli had caused an enclosed scaffolding with a roof, to be erected in the Vatican for the purposes of this work, and when the marbles arrived he commenced his labours: he began the group with one of the Boys, the elder namely; and this he finished in such a manner that the Pope and all who understood the subject were entirely satisfied, since there was scarcely any difference to be perceived between his figure
- ↑ Our readers will remember that this precious work had not then been known to the world of art for more than a few years, having been discovered in the Baths of Titus, in the year 1506.
- ↑ A print in wood engraving, attributed, but with slight ground only, to Titian, appeared at the time in ridicule of this vaunt, and represented a group of Apes in the attitude of that of the Laocoon.
