executed numerous works under the direction of Ammannato; but having been invited to Messina after the death of Martino, to occupy the place formerly held in that island by Fra Giovann’ Agnolo, he there died. Battista di Benedetto, a youth who has already given evidence of future success, was also the disciple of Ammannato; his many works produced thus early show him to be in nowise inferior to the above-mentioned Andrea, or to any other of the young sculptors who are Academicians, whether in genius or judgment.
The Sculptor and Architect, Vincenzio de Bossi, of Fiesole, also a member of the Florentine Academy, is in like manner worthy of a memorial in this place, in addition to what has been said of him in the Life of Baccio Bandinelli, whose disciple he was.[1] Having left his master, Vincenzio, though still young, gave a favourable specimen of his ability in a group, representing San Giuseppe with Our Saviour Christ, a child of about ten years old, which he executed for the Eitonda; both of these figures being in a very good manner, and giving evidence of great facility. He afterwards constructed two Tombs in the Church of Santa Maria della Pace, the figures of those within them are in a recumbent position on the sarcophagi; and on the external front are figures of Prophets in half-relief, which are of the size of life, and have acquired for Vincenzio the name of an excellent Sculptor. This caused him to be commissioned by the Eoman people to execute the Statue of Pope Paul IV., which was placed on the Capitol, and wherein he acquitted himself exceedingly well; but this work had not a long life, seeing that when the Pontiff died, his Statue was destroyed by the populace, ever prone to persecute fiercely to-day those whom they were yesterday exalting to the skies.
At a later period, Vincenzio executed two Statues, somewhat larger than life, carved in one piece of marble; the subject is Theseus, King of Athens,[2] who has carried ofp Helen, and holds her in his arms; beneath his feet there lies
- ↑ Many details of interest respecting this sculptor will be found in Borghini, ut supra.
- ↑ A commentator thinks it well to assure us that this must needs be Paris, and not Theseus. Our friend is right without doubt, but the dear Giorgio has already told us that his eyes were more familiar with the painter’s palette than with the page of the mythologian, et hoc getius omne.
