various parts of Italy. Among these may be particularized one which belongs to the monks of San Marco, and is placed over the entrance to the choir of their church; all are exceedingly graceful, but there are nevertheless some which are much more beautiful than others, as that of the Murate in Florence[1] with another, no less admired, which is in the Church of San Pietro Maggiore. The master likewise executed a Crucifix in this manner for the monks of Santa Fiora and Lucilla, who placed it over the High Altar of their abbey in Arezzo; this last is considered a more admirable work than any one even of those previously mentioned.
When Pope Leo X. visitEd. Flor.nce, a triumphal arch of great beauty was constructed of wood and clay by Baccio da Monte Lupo, between the palace of the Podesta and the abbey; he also executed many smaller works, which have been destroyed, or are dispersed among the houses of the citizens; but becoming weary of his residence in Florence, he repaired to Lucca,[2] where he performed many labours in sculpture, and yet more in architecture, while in the service of that city. Among these, more particular mention must be made of the beautiful and well-designed Church of San Paolino, the patron saint of the Lucchesi, which is constructed with great judgment; it gives proof of learning and intelligence in every part, and in all the ornaments with which it is so richly decorated, both within and without.
Baccio dwelt in that city of Lucca to the eighty-eighth year of his age,[3] and there he finished the course of his life; in the Church of San Paolino above named he then received honourable sepulture, which was conferred on his remains by those to whom he had done honour in his life.
The Milanese sculptor and carver, Agostino, an artist greatly esteemed,[4] was a contemporary of Baccio da Monte
- ↑ The Crucifix executed for the monks of San Marco is still in their great Refectory, of the remainder we can obtain no authentic information, many of them having been sold during the French invasion, and when the monastery was secularized, while others were lost, or perhaps destroyed at the same time.
- ↑ This master had also visited Venice before the year 1510, having executed the figure of Mars on the tomb of Benedetto da Pesaro, in the church of the Frali, prior to that period.
- ↑ In the first edition we find, “till his seventy-eighth year.”
- ↑ Agostino Busti, commonly called Il Bambaja, or by some, Bambara,
