Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/43

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giulio romano.
35

Cortona,[1] and Benedetto Pagni of Pescia,[2] but those of whose services the master most frequently availed himself, were Giovanni da Lione and Raffaello dal Colle of Borgo-a~ San Sepolcro, both of whom assisted him in the execution of the pictures in the Hall of Constantine as well as in that of many of the other works whereof there has been discourse. Wherefore, I do not think it well to omit mentioning, that being very skilful in painting, and close imitators of the manner of Giulio in the execution of all which he confided to them, these two artists painted an Escutcheon of the arms of Pope Clement, at the Old Mint in the Banchi, each painting the half namely after the design of Giulio, with two figures in the manner of Termini. Raffaello dal Colle moreover no long time after, having terminated his share of this work, depicted a fresco, from a Cartoon designed by Giulio, within the door of the palace which belongs to the Cardinal della Valle. This work which is in a lunette, represents Our Lady covering the divine Child, who is sleeping, with a mantle: on one side is St. Andrew the apostle, and on the other St. Nicholas, the picture was with justice considered an exceedingly fine one.

Giulio himself meanwhile, living on very intimate terms with Messer Baldassare Turini of Pescia, received from him the commission to prepare a design and model for a palace to be constructed on the mount Janiculum, where there are certain vineyards which have a most beautiful view. This building was erected with the utmost care, and was a very graceful structure; it was furnished with all the conveniences which could possibly be desired to enhance the pleasantness of that site, of which it was entirely worthy, and more than that could not be said. The rooms moreover were adorned not only with stucco-work, but also with paintings, Giulio having painted with his own hand stories from the life of Numa Pompilius, who had been buried there.[3] In the bath of this palace Giulio painted pictures of Venus and Cupid.

  1. Förster affirms that “no independent work by these artists is to be found.”
  2. This artist was also invited to Mantua by Giulio Romano.
  3. This villa now belongs to the Borghese family.