The first works of Il Fattore were executed in the Papal Loggie at Rome, in company with Giovanni da Udine, Perino del Vaga, and other distinguished masters: in these first performances we perceive remarkable grace, and many proofs that they are the productions of an artist who was labouring earnestly to attain perfection; he was a man of extensively varied practice in his art, and delighted in the execution of landscape and of architectural structures, as well as in that of figures. He painted finely in oil, in fresco, and in tempera, drew admirably well from the life, and was in every respect highly favoured by nature, seeing that he readily acquired all that appertained to his vocation with but very little study. This rendered him very useful to Raphael, whom he assisted in painting the greater part of the cartoons for the Tapestries of the Pope’s chapel, and for those of the Consistory, helping him more particularly in the decorations of these works. He also painted numerous pictures after the cartoons, and under the direction of Raphael; the ceiling of Agostino Chigi’s Palace in the Trastevere is by Giovanni Francesco,[1] as are many frescoes, panel pictures, and other works of various kinds, connected with the numerous undertakings of his master, by whom the excellent manner in which he acquitted himself, and his deportment on all occasions, caused him to be daily more and more beloved.
In the Monte Giordano at Rome, Giovan Francesco painted a fa9ade in chiaro-scuro; and in Santa Maria dell’ Anima, he painted in fresco a San Cristofano eight braccia high, which is an admirable work. This figure will be found near the side-door which leads towards the Pace; there is, besides, a Hermit, represented standing within his cell, or grotto, and holding a lanthorn in his hand: the drawing of this figure, also is very good, the execution very graceful, and the whole work is remarkable for its harmony and the care with which it has been finished.[2]
At a later period Giovanni Francesco visitEd. Flor.nce, where he painted a tabernacle at Montughi, a place without
