in the same city; and in this respect Fortune proved herself favourable to his "wishes, but still more so to those of the aforesaid Giorgio himself. And the matter happened on this wise: the Cardinal Ippolito, having parted in great anger from Pope Clement VII. for causes which were set forth at the time, did nevertheless return to Rome before any long period had elapsed, accompanied by Baccio Valori. He then passed through Arezzo, where he found Giorgio, who had at that time been left without his father, and was passing his time in the best manner that he could; the Cardinal, therefore, desiring that the youth should make progress in art, and wishing moreover to have him near his own person, gave orders to Tommaso de’ Nerli, who was commissary in Arezzo, to the effect that he should send Vasari to Rome so soon as he should have finished a Chapel in fresco, which he was at that time painting for the Monks of San Bernardo of the Order of Monte Oliveto in Arezzo, a commission which was instantly attended to by Nerli.
Arrived in Rome, therefore, the first thing which Giorgio did was to seek Francesco, who joyfully described to him the great favour in which he stood with the Cardinal his Lord, and declaring that he was now in a place where he could study to his heart’s content; he added, moreover, “Not only do I enjoy the present, but I hope still better things for the future, for besides that I now have thyself in Rome, thee with whom, as with a near friend, I may take counsel and confer on matters relating to our art; there is also the prospect of my admission into the service of the Cardinal Ippolito de’ Medici, from whose liberality and from the favour of the Pope I may expect still greater things than I now possess; nay this last will certainly happen, if a young man who is now expected from abroadnota should fail to arrive.” [1]
- ↑ “From abroad.” It is without doubt well known to most of our readers that an Italian of the old times considered every man a foreigner, if born or dwelling, I do not say in the next state, but in the neighbouring towns of his own state; nay, it is well if he did not, or perhaps do not even now consider him as a “natural enemy” also. It has not unfrequently happened to the present writer, when remarking on some one of those trifling impositions or vexations of whatever kind, whereunto the traveller is “heir,” to be asked what better could be expected, for “is he not a Bergamasco, a Cortonese, an Urbinate, a Perugino!” a native of some town or village in short, at least half a league removed from the one entitled to
