beheld himself reduced to a very evil plight, manifestly perceiving that he had not only falsely accused his friend, but blighted his own honour, while the retractation of his words, or the adoption of any other method then within his power,[1] would leave him equally in danger of being called a treacherous and worthless man; wherefore he determined to take his own life rather than abide any punishment that might be inflicted on him by others.
One day therefore, when the king was at Fontainebleau, Rosso sent a countryman to Paris for a poisonous liquid, pretending to require the same for the preparation of colours or varnishes, but with the resolution to poison himself therewith, as in effect he did. And such was the malignity of the poison thus used, that the countryman, having held his thumb on the mouth of the phial, was on the point of losing that member, seeing that the venom, although well corked and covered with wax, had nevertheless so deadly a force as to corrode the finger, which was not saved without difficulty. This poison Rosso took, and being then in perfect health he yet died a few hours after having taken it, the venom killing him, as it was his purpose that it should do.
When the news of this event was taken to the king it caused him indescribable regret, since it was his opinion that in losing Rosso he had been deprived of the most excellent artist of his time. But to the end that the works undertaken might not remain unfinished, he caused them to be continued by the Bolognese Francesco Primaticcio, who had already performed various labours for him, as we have said, and to whom he gave a good abbey as he had given Rosso a canonicate.
Rosso died in the year 1541,[2] leaving his friends and brother artists in great sorrow for their loss. By his example they were taught what eminence in the service of a prince may be attained by him who possesses extensive acquirements, and is in all ways agreeable and well-mannered as he was;[3] many are the reasons indeed for which Rosso
- ↑ An Italian commentator justly remarks, that the reparation of so grave an offence by retractation could not have been at any time considered disgraceful, but must have been a just and honourable proceeding.
- ↑ To this Piacenza adds, “and in the forty-fifth year of his age.”
- ↑ In the first or Torrentino edition of our author, we have the following
