the figure of a Trojan; Statues more graceful, or more carefully executed than these are, could not well be imagined: it chanced therefore, that when Duke Cosimo visited Rome, he went to see such modern works as he thought worthy of remark, no less than the ancient productions; when, being shown these Statues, and justly commending them, they were courteously presented to his Excellency, by Yincenzio, who at the same time offered his services to the Duke. It is true that when Duke Cosimo had transported the Statues to his Palace of the Pitti, he paid a very good price for the work, and having brought Yincenzio with him likewise, he commissioned him no long time afterwards to execute the Labours of Hercules, in marble; commanding him to represent the same in figures, larger than life, and in full relief. With these Yincenzio is now occupied, he has already completed the Slaying of Cacus, and the Combat with the Centaur, and as the work is of an exalted and difficult character, so, as it is hoped, will it prove an excellent production of art; Yincenzio possessing a fine genius, with much judgment, and being very thoughtful in the conduct of all matters of importance.
Nor will I omit to mention, that under the discipline of this artist, the young Florentine citizen, Ilarione Ruspoli is devoting himself to Sculpture in a manner which does him great honour; and when the obsequies of Michelagnolo, with the marriage so frequently alluded to, presented him with an opportunity, he showed equal excellence of design and facility in the production of statues, with the other Academicians of his age.
Francesco Camilliani, a Florentine Sculptor and Academician, who was the disciple of Baccio Bandinelli, after having proved himself an excellent Sculptor, by many good works, has consumed fifteen years in executing ornaments for Fountains. One of these, which he has made for Don Luigi di Toledo, at his Garden in Florence, is certainly most surprising; the decorations which surround it, are various figures of men and animals, represented in divers attitudes, but all graceful and effective; the entire work is indeed rich and magnificent, nay, truly regal, and has been completed without sparing any amount of cost thereon.[1] Among the
- ↑ This Fountain, comprising 644 pieces of marble, was sold to the city of Palermo, in the year 1573, for the sum of 20.000 crowns, and the
