Michele built the Casa Cornara, in the Campagna near Piombino, with so many other private houses, that it would make too long a story if I were to enumerate them all: let it suffice me to have mentioned the principal ones.[1] Meanwhile I will not omit to record two very beautiful gates of Palaces, which were executed by this master, one being that of the Rectors,[2] and Captains; the other that of the palace of the Podesta, both in Verona,[3] and each worthy of high commendation. It is true that the last-named, which is of the Ionic order, with double columns and richly decorated intercolumniations, having figures of Victory also at the angles; this last, I say, on account of the lowness of the site whereon it is placed, has a somewhat dwarfed appearance; an effect increased by the absence of pedestals, and by the great width, which is the consequence of the columns being doubled; but so it was that Messer Giovanni Delfini would have it made.[4] § While Michele was at length enjoying the tranquillity of leisure in his native place, and was profiting by the glory and renown which had been secured to him by his honourable labours, he received a piece of intelligence which grieved him to such a degree, that the course of his life was cut short by that sorrow. But to the end that the whole may be the better understood, and that all the finer works of San Michele may have their due notice in this his life, I will say somewhat of Giovan-Girolamo, the kinsman of Michele.
This Giovanni, then, who was born to Paolo, the cousin of Michele, being a youth of admirable endowments, was instructed with much diligence in all things relating to architecture by Michele himself, and was so greatly beloved by him, that in all his most important works, more especially in those connected with the defences used in war, Michele would always have the youth beside him. By the aid of such a master, Giovan Girolamo soon became excellent in his voca-
- ↑ See Ronzani and Luciolli, Fabbriche di San Michele, &c., as before cited.
- ↑ Or Prefects sent by Venice. The courts of justice are now held there.
- ↑ On the Piazza de’ Signori.
- ↑ Delfini, that is to say, was anxious to retain the previous arrangement of' the floors, and more particularly the range of windows as they then existed. San Michele could therefore not give increased height, or an air of greater lightness to the gate.
