delivering the Holj fathers from the Limbo or Gates of Hell. These two last-mentioned works, which are exceedingly beautiful, are now in the possession of Filippo Spini, a gentleman who greatly delights in our arts. Francesco del Prato executed many other small works; he drew, also, much and well, as may be seen by certain sketches from his hand, which are preserved in our book of Designs. He died in the year 1562, and his death grieved the whole Academy deeply; for, besides that he was a person of great ability in art, there perhaps never lived a more excellent man than was Francesco del Prato.
Giuseppe Porta of Castel Nuovo, in the Garfagnana, was in like manner a disciple of Francesco Salviati, and he also, from respect to his master, was called Salviati. This Giuseppe was conducted to Rome in the year 1535, and while yet a ^oy, by an uncle of his, who was then Secretary to Monsignor Onofrio Bartolini, Archbishop of Pisa; he was there placed with Salviati, with whom in a short time he learned not only to draw well but to paint admirably. Having afterwards accompanied his master to Venice, he’ formed so many intimate acquaintances among the gentry of that place, that, having been left there by Francesco, he determined to adopt the city of Venice for his home, and having taken a wife there, has continued to make it his abode; nay, he not only remains there still, but has so rarely departed from it as to have performed few works in any other place than Venice.
Giuseppe Salviati has decorated the House of the Loredani family, which is situate on the Campo di San Stefano, with stories in fresco, which are of great beauty, and executed in an admirable manner. He has also painted the House of the Bernardi family at San Polo, with another behind San Rocco, which is an excellent work. The same artist has painted three very large façades in chiaro-scuro; these, which he has covered with stories, are situate, the first at San Moise, the second at San Casciano, and the third at Santa Maria Zebenigo.[1] The entire Palace of Priali, a large and rich building at Treville, near Treviso, has also been decorated both within and without by Giuseppe Salviati; but of this palace we shall speak at length in the life of Jacopo
- ↑ These works have been destroyed by the salt winds prevalent here.— Venetian Edition of Vasari.
