the Servite Monks proposed to the executors that the commission for the same should be given to Giovann’ Agnolo, and he, going, as we have said, in that expectation to Naples, the work was finally accorded to him:[1] his models were indeed found to be much better than those which had been prepared by many other sculptors, and he consequently received a good share of the 1000 crowns advanced for them. Giovann’ Agnolo then sent Francesco del Tadda, of Fiesole,[2] an able carver, to superintend the *excavation of the marbles, having given him directions to get forward with all such rough hewings, dressings, and carvings, as should be demanded for the work, to the end that it might proceed with the greater rapidity.
While the Monk was thus making his arrangements for the construction of the above-mentioned sepulchre, the Turkish army entered Apuglia, and the people of Naples, being thrown into no small terror by that event and by the near vicinity of the foe, orders being given for the fortification of the city; four men of eminent distinction, and whose judgment was much relied on, being charged with the care of the works. These persons, requiring the assistance of an able architect, bethought themselves of the Frate, but some slight rumour of what was intended having reached his ears, and he not thinking that it beseemed a man of religion as he was, to meddle with matters of war, left Naples, but first gave the executors of Sannazzaro’s testament to understand that he would prepare his tomb either at Carrara, or Florence, and would take care that it should be finished and erected in its place within the appointed time.
He thus departed, as I have said, from Naples, and repaired to Florence, where he at once received commands from the
- ↑ Piacenza (in his additions to Baldinucci) affirms that the commission for this tomb was first given to. Girolamo Santacroce, of whom Vasari has made mention in vol. iii. p. 253, et seq., and that he had commenced the work, but being interrupted by death, Montorsoli was then appointed to replace him, in consequence of the protection accorded to his pretensions by the Servite Monks. But Domenici, who is the authority best informed, as regards Neapolitan affairs, maintains that the monks favouring their co-religionist, and the executors their fellow citizen, the dispute which ensued, was adjusted by the two candidates dividing the work between them. Domenici has indeed assured us that he saw the contract for this arrangement in the archives of the building.
- ↑ See note *, p, 86, of the present Life.
