Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/412

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lives of the artists.

lie furthermore enclosed a second court with a screen of perforated stone-work, executed with infinite care and patience.

The monastery of the Bare-footed Friars on Monte Baroccio, was commenced after the plans of Girolamo, as was also the Santa Maria delle Grazie, at Sinigaglia; but these works remained unfinished, having been interrupted by the death of the Duke. The erection of the episcopal residence at Sinigaglia was also begun by Girolamo Genga, and the model which he prepared for that structure is still to be seen. The same artist likewise produced certain works in sculpture, with figures in full relief, both of clay and wax; they are very well done, and are now in the house of his family at Urbino. For the palace of the Imperiale, Girolamo prepared certain Angels in terra; these he afterwards caused to be cast in plaster, and placed over the doors of rooms in the new palace, which are richly adorned with stucco-work, and are very beautiful.

For the Bishop of Sinigaglia, Girolamo modelled some very fanciful drinking vessels in wax, which were afterwards executed in silver; and for the Credenza or Beaufet of the Duke, he made certain other drinking-cups, which were exceedingly beautiful. He was an admirable inventor of all kinds of maskings and of vestments for festal purposes, as was sufficiently proved in the time of the above-named Duke, by whom his excellent qualities and rare skill were liberally and well rewarded. When that sovereign was succeeded by the Duke Guidobaldo his son, who is still reigning, the latter caused Genga to commence the church of San Giovanni Battista, in Pesaro, which, having been executed according to the model which Girolamo had prepared, by Bartolommeo his son, has proved to be of very beautiful architecture in all its parts, Girolamo having imitated the antique with much fidelity. It is indeed the most beautiful church in that country, as will be at once perceived by him who shall examine the same, the whole structure being well able to endure comparison with the most admired churches of Pome.

It was in like manner after the designs of Genga, but with the execution of the Florentine sculptor Bartolommeo Ammannati, who was then very young, that the sepulchral monument of the Duke Francesco Maria was erected in the