the study of arithmetic, but his father, to whom it was needful that the son should gain somewhat for himself, perceiving him to take great delight in drawing, turned his attention while still but a child to the art of painting. He studied therefore very zealously, more especially the works of Fra Bartolommeo, otherwise called Fra Carnavale,[1] of Urbino, by whom the picture of Santa Maria della Bella, in that city was painted. But Bramante found his principal pleasure in architecture and the study of perspective, he departed therefore from Castel Durante, and proceeded to Lombardy, repairing first to one city and then to another, working in each meanwhile as he best could. His undertakings of that period were however not of a costly kind, or such as could do the architect much honour, since he had then neither interest nor reputation; but to the end that he might at least see something of works of merit, he removed to Milan to examine the Duomo.[2] There was at that time a good architect and geometrician living in Milan, called Cesare Cesariano, who had written a commentary on Vitruvius, but falling into despair at finding himself disappointed in the remuneration he had expected to receive for
- ↑ Fra Bartolommeo Corradino, a Dominican, called Fra Camavale, most probably, from his joyous aspect and jovial character. The picture here alluded to is now at Milan, in the Brera, and an engraving of it wUl be found in the work entitled, Imperiale e Reale Pinacoteca di Milano, &c.—Masselli.
- ↑ Vasari appears to have passed too hastily over the early years of Bramante. According to De Pagave, he first studied under the architect Sciro Scirri, of Casteldurante, and left that place in his twentieth year; but before his departure he had already constructed “a small circular temple to the Madonna del Riscatto, on the banks of the river Metaurus.” The same writer informs us, that previous to visiting Lombardy, Bramante had also erected churches, public buildings, and other edifices in Romagna, and when in Milan was considered one of the most distinguished artists adorning the court of Ludovico il Moro, but whether as a painter or architect there are no documents to show. Of his paintings, indeed, but little authentic information can now be obtained (consult Passavant also, Beiträge zur Geschichte der alien Malerschulen in der Lombardei). It was towards the year 1476 that Bramante went to Milan, where he constructed various edifices (see Pagave, notes). In 1488 he was invited by the Cardinal, Ascania Sforza, bishop of Pavia, to that city, there to rebuild the cathedral (the Incoronata). Pagave declares himself to have seen the drawing of this building by Bramante s own hand, with the date 1490. See also Pungileoni.— Memorie sulla vita di Bramante, &c.
