Francesco prepared innumerable designs also, more particularly for Girolamo del Vino and for the goldsmith and engraver Girolamo Fagiuoli, who obtained them from our artist, for the purpose of engraving them on copper, and all these works are considered to be graceful and beautiful in the highest degree. For Bonifazio Gozzodino, Francesco painted a portrait from life, as he did that of his wife, but the latter remained unfinished. He likewise sketched a picture of the Madonna, which was afterwards purchased in Bologna by the Aretine, Giorgio Vasari, who has it still in Arezzo; with many other noble and precious works in painting and sculpture, as well as ancient marbles, which he carefully preserves in his new house built by himself in that city.[1]
When the Emperor Charles V. visited Bologna, to the end that Pope Clement VII. might perform his coronation in that city, Francesco went to see him at dinner, when, without previously drawing or making other preparation, he painted a large picture in oil of that monarch, representing him as crowned by Fame with a chaplet of laurel, while a child, in the form of a little Hercules, presents to him the globe of the world, as though he would acknowledge that sovereign to possess the dominion thereof. When this work was finished it was shown to Pope Clement, who was so greatly pleased therewith that he sent it with Francesco himself to Charles V., through the Bishop of Vasona, then Datary to the Emperor. Thereupon, his Majesty, being highly satisfied with the work, signified to the master that he was to leave it: but Francesco, being ill-advised by some faithless or injudicious friend, refused to do so, saying that it was not finished. Thus, his Majesty did not have it, nor was he remunerated for the same, as he doubtless would otherwise have been. The work afterwards fell into the hands of the Cardinal Ippolito de’ Medici, by whom it was presented to the Cardinal of Mantua, and it is now in the Guardaroba of the Duke of Mantua, with many other beautiful and noble pictures.[2]
- ↑ "Let it be here remarked, once for all,” observes Bottari, "that of the paintings, sculptures, drawings, and antiquities mentioned in this life by Vasari, as collected in his own house, no certain knowledge can now be obtained, all having been dispersed.”—Roman Edition of Vasari, 1759.
- ↑ The present locality and condition of this work are now unknown.
