and in the other is buried the Signor Giannettino, also of the Doria family. Against the pillars at the commencement of the middle aisle are t-wo beautiful pulpits in marble, and throughout the side aisles are distributed chapels of admirable architecture, the whole of them being richly adorned with columns and other ornaments, by all which this fabric is rendered a truly rich and magnificent edifice. Having completed the church. Prince Doria then caused the Prate Giovann’ Agnolo to set hand to his palace, making large additions to the building, and also laying out very beautiful gardens, which were in like manner committed to the superintendence of the Frate.
Finally, Giovann’ Agnolo constructed a fish-pond before the front of the palace, and for this he prepared an ornament in marble; the subject chosen, and which was executed in full relief, being a Marine Monster, by which water in vast quantities is poured into that fish-pond. He likewise executed a colossal figure of Neptune[1] in stucco, which was placed on a pedestal in the garden of the prince: two Portraits of the same Doria, and two of the Emperor Charles V., which were taken into Spain, are also to be enumerated among the works of Giovann’ Agnolo.
While this artist abode in Genoa, Messer Cipriano Pallavicino, the Signor Abate Negro, Messer Giovanni da Montepulciano, and the Signor Prior of San Matteo, were all of the number of his friends, as, at a word, were all the first nobles and gentlemen of that city, wherein the Prate acquired both fame and riches: of Messer Cipriano Pallavicino in particular it may be remarked that, as he possesses much judgment in matters concerning our arts, so does he willingly associate himself with the most eminent artists, whom he favours upon all occasions.
Having finished the above-mentioned works, Fra Giovann’ Agnolo departed from Genoa and repaired to Rome, there to visit Buonarroti, whom he had not seen for many years, and also to try if he could by any means renew his connexion with the Duke of Plorence, in such sort that he might return thither to complete the Hercules which he had left unfinished. But having arrived in Eome, where he bought himself the dignity of a Knighthood oT San Pietro, he there heard, by
- ↑ The figure is not of Neptune, but of Jupiter.—Piacenza.
