Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/363

Rh Perugia, who took great delight in architecture, and had written a commentary on Vitruvius but a short time before. This palace the cardinal determined to have amply decorated with paintings, wherefore Benedetto set himself to work, and being assisted by Maso Papacello, of Cortona, who was his disciple, and had studied under Giulio Romano likewise, as will be related hereafter; and by Tommaso, as well as other disciples and workmen, he did not cease until he had painted almost the whole of the building in fresco. But the Cardinal desired to have a picture from the hand of Luca also, whereupon the latter, although very old and afflicted with palsy, depicted the Baptism of Christ by St. John, in fresco, on the wall of the palace chapel, on that side namely whereon the altar stands; but he could not entirely finish it, seeing that while still working at this picture he died, having attained the eighty-second year of his age.

Luca Signorelli was a man of the most upright life, sincere in all things, affectionate to his friends, mild and amiable in his dealings with all, most especially courteous to every one who desired his works, and very efficient as well as kind in the instruction of his disciples. He lived very splendidly, took much pleasure in clothing himself in handsome vestments, and was always held in the highest esteem for his many good qualities, both in his own country and in others.

And now, with the close of this master's life, which took place in 1521, we will bring this second part of our work to an end, terminating with Luca, as the master who, in the fundamental principles of design, more especially in the nude form, and by the grace of his inventions, as well as the dis-