occasion offered to Bartolommeo for giving evidence of that extent of knowledge in architecture which he had acquired by his studies in Rome.
The Duke being then called on by his duties as General to the Signoria of Venice, to proceed into Lombardy, there to inspect the fortresses of that province, took Bartolommeo with him, proposing to avail himself of that master’s assistance in the choice of sites, as well as in the preparation of designs for the fortified places, more especially for the works to be constructed at the Gate of San Felice in Verona.
Now while Bartolommeo was in Lombarby, it chanced that the King of Bohemia passed through that province on his return from Spain to his own dominions, when having been honourably received and entertained by the Duke at Verona, he saw the fortifications there, and being pleased therewith he caused Bartolommeo to be presented to him; nay, would very fain have conducted him into his own kingdom to avail himself of our artist’s aid in fortifying his towns, offering him a very handsome stipend; but the Duke not being willing to give permission, the matter went no further.
It was soon after the return of the Duke and Bartolommeo to Urbino, that the father of the latter departed this life, when Bartolommeo was himself made superintendent over all the fabrics of the state by the Duke, in the place of Girolamo. In this capacity he was accordingly sent to Pesaro, where he continued the building of the Church of San Giovanni Battista, after the model prepared by his father. At the same time Bartolommeo erected a suite of apartments in the court of the Palace of Pesaro, and on that side which overlooks the street of the merchants; very beautiful rooms they are, the doors, stair-cases, chimney pieces, and similar parts, of which he was a most admirable architect, being most handsomely decorated, and here it is that the Duke now makes his abode.
Remembering the success of Bartolommeo on this occasion, the Duke Guidobaldo determined that he should construct a range of apartments in the Court or Palace of Urbino likewise, almost all of them being on that side which is opposite to San Domenico. These being finished were found to constitute the most beautiful and most richly decorated dwelling
