Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/355

Rh Audience, and was an Annunciation, with the figure of G-od the Father above, surrounded by numerous angels in the forms of children. In the same city, on occasion of the first visit paid to it by the Duke Alessandro, this artist constructed a very beautiful triumphal arch at the gate of the palace of the Signoria, with numerous figures in relief. There were, besides, many other preparations made for the entry of the Duke, and this master, in competition with other artists, painted the decorations of a dramatic spectacle, which were considered very beautiful. Having proceeded to Rome at the time when the Emperor Charles V. was expected to visit that city, Francesco there executed certain figures in terra; and on the Capitol he painted the Arms of the Roman people in fresco, which was much commended. But the best work that ever proceeded from the hands of this artist was one executed in the Medici Palace; an Escritoire namely, for the Duchess Margaret of Austria, so finely ornamented with stucco, and so richly adorned, that it is not possible to see anything better; nay, I even believe that it would be impossible, in a certain sense, to do as much in silver as L’ Indaco has here done in stucco. From these things it is inferred, that if this master had taken pleasure in labour, and had made good use of his abilities, he might have become very eminent.

Francesco drew tolerably well, but Jacopo much better, as may be seen from the drawings in our book.

The excellent painter, Luca Signorelli, of whom, according to the order of time, we are now to speak, was, in his day, most highly renowned through all Italy, and his works were held in more esteem than those of any other master have