knowledge, moreover, in the arrangement of the different manners, that the whole undertaking appears to have been executed by one hand. At a word, our artist satisfied the Cardinal perfectly, and at the same time disappointed the expectations of those who had believed him unequal to the charge of so great a work.
In like manner Taddeo painted stories of figures in fresco to decorate certain niches of the chambers in the palace of Messer Alessandro Mafiei, which is near the Botteghe Scure, causing his brother Federigo to execute certain other stories, to the end that the latter might become accustomed to working for himself. Wherefore, encouraged by this, Federigo painted a Mount Parnassus entirely alone, a work which he accomplished in the house of a Roman gentleman called Stefano Margani, whose dwelling is at the foot of the steps which lead to the Ara Coeli. When Taddeo perceived that Federigo could thus proceed by himself, and prepare his own designs, almost entirely without aid from any one, he procured him a commission for the painting of a Chapel from the men of the Company of Santa Maria dell’ Orto-a-Ripa in Rome, but making it almost appear that he intended to execute the work himself, since it was certain that to Federigo alone the commission never would have been given, he being still but a youth, and to satisfy those men Taddeo did paint a Nativity of Christ in that chapel; but the rest was entirely executed by Federigo alone; the latter acquitting himself in such a manner as to give evidence of the ability which is now made manifest in his works.[1]
About the same time, the Duke of Guise, who was then at Rome, desiring to find a good painter and able man, who might paint a palace which he had in France, Taddeo was proposed to him for that purpose, whereupon, having seen certain of his works, and his manner having pleased His Excellency, the Duke agreed to give him a stipend of 600 crowns per annum, and it was settled that Taddeo, when he had finished his works then in hand, should proceed to France and enter his service. And so, indeed, our artist would have done,
- ↑ “The frank impartiality of Vasari,” remarks a compatriot of our Author, comes in remarkable contrast with the envious acrimony of Federigo, who has but proved his own abjectness of mind, and fixed a deep stein on his reputation, while basely seeking to villify the upright biographer.”
