Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/196

188 the abbot went but little without, as was the case with many others, and therefore occupied himself in painting large figures, when, seeing that he succeeded according to his wishes, he commenced the execution of various works. The first of these was a figure of San Rocco, which he painted on panel for the rectors of that brotherhood in Arezzo; this is now in the chamber of audience, where the members are wont to assemble. San Rocco recommends the people of Arezzo to the Virgin, and in this picture Don Bartolommeo depicted the piazza of the city with the holy house of the brotherhood, and a company of Becchini who are returning from burying the dead. He likewise painted another San Rocco, also on panel, for the church of San Piero, this he depicted the city of Arezzo exactly as it was at that time, when it was verv different from what it now is. Another picture on the same subject, but greatly superior to the two before mentioned, was painted by this master for the chapel of the Lippi family in the capitular church of Arezzo, and in this the San Rocco is a regularly beautiful figure, and almost the best that Don Bartolommeo ever produced; the head and. hands could not possibly be more beautiful or more natural than they are. In the same city of Arezzo, and in the church of San Piero, where the Servites have their abode, this master painted a picture of the angel Raphael; and in the same place he executed the portrait of the Beato Jacopo Filippo, of Piacenza. At a later period, being invited to Rome, Don Bartolommeo painted a story in the chapel of Pope Sixtus, in company with Luca da Cortona and Pietro Perugino; and having returned to Arezzo, he painted a St. Jerome in Penitence, for the chapel of the Gozzari in the episcopal church. The saint is represented with wasted form, shaven head, and eyes