ductions of a bold, proud, animated, prompt, and forceful character; he is, indeed, a man but only too well disposed and able to hold his own by word in the presence of Princes, as well as ready with hand and spirit in matters of art; yet I will not here say more, because he has himself written a Treatise concerning his Life and Works, with one on the Art of the Goldsmith, on founding and casting in Metal, as well as on other matters appertaining to those arts: he has spoken of Sculpture likewise with much more eloquence and to more purpose than might, perhaps, be possible to myself; wherefore, as regards Benvenuto, it shall suffice me to have thus indicated some few among the best of his principal works.[1]
Francesco, the son of Giuliano da Sangallo, a sculptor and architect, also one of our Academicians, and now seventy years old, has likewise produced numerous works in sculpture, as we have said in the Life of his father. The three figures in marble, somewhat larger than life, which are on the Altar in the Church of Or San Michele, are by his hand.
They are much extolled, and represent Sant’ Anna, the Virgin, and Our Saviour Christ as a Child. Some other Statues, also in marble, on the Tomb of Piero de’ Medici at Monte Cavallo, are likewise by his hand, as is the Sepulchre of the Bishop of Marzi in the Nunziata; and that of the historian Monsignore Giovio.[2] The same master has also executed many fine works in architecture at Florence and elsewhere; and his many valuable qualities, with the services performed by his father Giuliano, have secured to him the good-will of the House of Medici, for which cause the Duke Cosimo gave him the place of Architect to the Cathedral of Florence, when the death of Baccio d’Agnolo left that office vacant.
Of Ammannato, who is among the chief of our Academicians, I need not speak further, since we have said enough of him in describing the works of Jacopo Sansovino, and I will but add, that the very able Sculptor, Andrea Calamec of Carrara, also an Academician, was his disciple: the latter
- ↑ Benvenuto Cellini frequently speaks of Vasari in a manner which proves his ill-will to that master, whom he doubtless—rude and eccentric as he was—very frequently offended, yet no one could discover any trace of resentment in what is here said by our upright and impartial author.
- ↑ The tomb of Giovio is in a recess, near the side door of the Cloister of San Giovanni Laterano.
