which goes entirely around the Palace on the outer side. Instantly perceiving, therefore, that Cronaca was a man of extraordinary gifts, Filippo determined that the whole work should thenceforward pass through his hands, and be conducted by him alone: indeed Brunellesco availed himself ever afterwards of the services of Cronaca. Continuing the building in the Tuscan manner therefore, the latter not only gave to it the exceeding beauty which all admire in the whole of the exterior, but also added a magnificent Corinthian cornice to the summit of the walls and immediately beneath the roof, to which it serves as the completion. Of this cornice the half is now seen in its finished state, and this exhibits such remarkable grace, that nothing could possibly be added to its beanty, nor could anything more admirable be desired.[1] The cornice here referred to was copied by Cronaca from an antique example which may be found at Spogliacristo, and which the architect had copied with its exact measurements, while he was in Rome, where it is esteemed to be among the most beautiful of the many preserved in that city. It is true that he enlarged this work to the proportions required for the palace that he was constructing, to the end that it might form a suitable finish, and with its ressaults might complete the roof of the building. Thus did the genius of Cronaca enable him to avail himself of the works of others, and even to make them become almost as his own, a thing which few succeed in accomplishing; for the difficulty does not consist in merely becoming possessed of drawings and copies from fine works, but in knowing how to use them in such sort that they shall be in harmony with that to which they are applied, and shall conduce to the beauty, grace, and convenience of the whole, in due measure and proportion.
But just as much as the cornice of Cronaca has been and ever will be commended, has that which Baccio Agnolo constructed for the Palace of the Bartolini, in the same city, been censured and vituperated: for to the end that he might imitate II Cronaca, Baccio D‘Agnolo added to the fa9ade of a small building of slight construction, a large and heavy antique cornice with the exact proportions of that on the front of
- ↑ The remaining half of this work has never been completed.— Ed. Flor. 1832-8.
