head to add the figure of a Satyr half hidden amidst the foli^ige, while he observes the Goddess and her attendant Graces with manifest enjoyment. This part so greatly pleased the Cardinal, that he caused me to be clothed anew from head to foot, and gave me a commission for painting a larger picture, also in oil, the subject a Battle of Satyrs, with Fawns, Sylvan Deities, and Cupids, which made a kind of Baccanalia. Setting hand to this work, therefore, I made the Cartoon, and then sketched the subject in colours on the canvas, which was ten braccia long.[1]
But the Cardinal was then obliged to depart for Hungary; wherefore, having made me known to Pope Clement, and left me under the protection of His Holiness, he commended me to the keeping of his first Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, the Signor Jeronimo Montaguto, with letters to the effect that, if I should desire to avoid the air of Pome for that summer, I was to be received at Florence by the Duke Alessandro. And well would it have been for me had I done so; for the heat and fatigue of my prolonged stay in Rome, with the air of that place, caused so serious an illness, that before I could recover it became needful to transport me in a litter to Arezzo. I was however ultimately cured, and about the 10th of December following, I went to Florence, where I was received with a friendly aspect by the above-named Duke, and was shortly afterwards consigned to the care of the Magnificent Ottaviano de’ Medici, who took me into his protection in such sort, that ever after, during his life, I was held by him in the place of a son. Nor have I ever ceased to cherish the beloved memory of that my true friend, but rather have revered, and do revere it, as that of one who was to me a most affectionate father.[2]
- ↑ Of this picture, Giorgio sent the description to Ottaviano de' Medici. See Lettera ii., in the Edition of Vasari above named.
- ↑ “Who would not become the friend of Vasari,” exclaims the Padre Della Valle, “if it were only for the sentiments of gratitude which he so manifestly entertained for all who had offered him kindness? How candidly does he relate whatever passes, how freely confess every obligation Oi whatsoever kind.” Very right you are, Della Valle, and truly may we affirm that those who have ventured to accuse our admirable Giorgio of ingratitude, injustice, presumption, or prejudice, have either never read more than garbled extracts of his works, or are themselves most justly chargeable with the defects they attribute to the kindly, upright, and most impartial Biographer.
