territory, with a house fit for a gentleman, a garden, grounds,, and many other fine advantages. Now, Francesco was excellent at taking portraits from the life; the Marquis, therefore, caused him to depict very many of these, himself, for example, his sons, and many other nobles of the house of Gonzaga; some of which were sent into France and Germany, to be given to different princes, and many others still remain in Mantua. A portrait of the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa is among those by this artist which are still in the abovenamed city; as are those of Barbarigo, Doge of Venice; of Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan; of the Signor Ercole di Gonzaga, who afterwards became a Cardinal; of the Duke Federigo, his brother, depicted as a youth; of the Signor Giovan Francesco Gonzaga; of Messer Andrea Mantegna, the painter; and of many others, copies of all which in chiaro-scuro and on paper were preserved by Francesco, and these copies are now in Mantua, in the possession of his heirs.[1]
In the church of San Francesco, in the above-named city, and which belongs to the Bare-footed Friars, our artist painted figures of San Ludovico and San Bernardino over the pulpit: they are holding a large circle, whereon is inscribed the name of our Lord Jesus[2] f and in the refectory of those Friars is a large picture of great size on cloth by his hand; it extends along the whole width of the upper end of the chamber, and presents a perspective view of the Saviour with the twelve Apostles. This is an exceedingly fine work, the figures very beautiful, and giving evidence of much judgment and consideration: among the other apostles is the traitor Judas, with a countenance wholly diflerent from those of the remainder, and in an attitude of much constraint; all the rest appear to be deeply intent on the words of their Master, who is speaking to them, he being near his Passion.[3] On the right hand of this work is a figure of San Francesco, of the size of life. This also is a most beautiful thing, and
- ↑ These portraits have either been destroyed by time, or were carried off in the deplorable sack of Mantua, which took place 1530, and which deprived that city of so many precious works of art. —Ed. Flor., 1832-8.
- ↑ Now at Milan, in the Brera.—Ibid.
- ↑ This picture, which had suffered much from re-touching, before the suppression of the Convent, is believed to be now entirely destroyed. —Ibid.
