inscribed the epitaphnota which was written by Jacopo Sannazzaro himself, the tablet is supported by two little boys. On each of the two pedestals, moreover, is a Statue of marble, four braccia high; these figures are seated, and represent, the one Minerva, the other Apollo.nota Between these figures, and in the midst of two consols, which stand at the sides, is a basso-rilievo two braccia and a half in the square; and here are sculptured Fawns, Satyrs, Nymphs, and other figures singing, and sounding various instruments, after the manner described in Sannazzaro’s very learned Poem of the “Arcadia,” and in the pastoral verses of that most eminent man.
Above this rilievo is an Urn, of a round form and very beautiful character, being richly adorned moreover, nay covered, so to speak, with sculptures; in this Urn are the remains of the Poet; and over it, placed on a pedestal in the centre, is the bust of Sannazzaro, a portrait from the life, with these words beneath it, actius sinceris; the portrait is accompanied by two boys, bearing wings in the manner of Loves; and having books around them. In two niches, which are beside the Tomb and in the walls of the Chapel, are two figures in marble, standing on pedestals, and representing, the one St. James the Apostle, the other San Nazzaro.nota The Frate having erected this [1] [2] [3]
- ↑ The epitaph to be read on this tomb is hj Bembo, and is as follows:—
Da sacro cineri flores. Hic ille Maroni
Syncerus Musa proximus ut tumulo.
Vixit an. lxxii. obiit mdxxx.Beneath these lines are inscribed the following:
Fr. Io. Ang. Flor. Or. S. fa. Masselli.
- ↑ “Exceedingly beautiful statues,” remarks an Italian commentator, “beneath which are now inscribed the names David and Judith. It is said that this change of names was effected by the monks, to save the works from the rapacity of a Spanish governor, who, pretending that, being heathen gods, they were pot well-adapted to that sacred place, was on the point of making himself master of them.”
- ↑ These two statues,” remarks the Italian quoted above, Avhich allude to the baptismal and family names of the poet, Jacopo Sannazzaro (Azzio Sincero being hfs academical name), are works of the most common-place character, and cannot be attributed with truth either to Santacroce or Montorsoli, whose abilities have been rendered manifest by so many other works, that there is no excuse for doing them the injury of attributing these to their hand. Engenio, whose injudicious partiality for his native country has induced him to attempt the degradation
