picture for the Cathedral of Pisa, which is now in the house of the Wardens of works. Benedetto has likewise painted a picture of the Madonna, and this work gives proof of a truly poetical invention; the artist having represented a figure of Florence, who is presenting the dignitaries of the house of Medici to the protection of the Virgin. This work is now in the possession of the Signor Mondragone, a Spaniard, very highly favoured by the most illustrious Signor, the Prince of Florence.
Giulio died on the day of All Saints, in the year 1546, and over his tomb[1] were placed the following lines:—
THE PAINTER, FRA SEBASTIANO DEL PIOMBO OF VENICE.
[born 1485—died 1547.]
The first profession of Sebastiano,[3] as many affirm, was not painting, but music; for, besides that he was a singer, he delighted to perform on various instruments, but more especially on the lute, that being an instrument which permits the player to take all the parts himself, without requiring any one to accompany him. His accomplishments in this matter rendered him for a time exceedingly acceptable to the
- ↑ In the re-construction of the Church of San Bamaba all trace of this distinguished artist’s tomb has disappeared. The history of Giulio Romano is perhaps unique, observes Lanzi, for where besides will be found the man who after having erected so many grandiose and beautiful buildings, has then painted and adorned them with his own hands? See History of Painting (English edition), vol, ii. p. 331.
- ↑ In the first edition this distich is preceded bv the following inscription:—
- “Videbat Juppiter corpora sculpta pictaque
- Spirare, et cedes mortalium cequarier Codo
- Julii virtute Romani: tunc iratus
- Concilio divorum omnium vocato
- Ilium e terris sustulit; quod paii nequiret,
- Vinci aut cequari ah homine terrigina.”
- ↑ This painter’s family name was Lvcxani. Federici, in his Memorie Trevigiane, affirms Fra Sebastiano del Piombo and Fra Marco Pensaben to be one and the same person, but Lanzi and Zani have proved Federici to be in error.
