Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/435

Rh him to display the resources of the power with which he was endowed, and prove to the world that mastery over the difficulties of his art, the evidences of which are so much admired in his works. The extraordinary merit of this architect is indeed obvious, not only in the general arrangement of buildings erected by him, but also and equally in their various details: the first projection and mouldings of the cornices for example, the shafts of the columns, the grace and elegance of the capitals and bases, the careful adjustment of the consoles and finish of angles, the vaultings, the staircases, the buttresses, ressaults, and other supports— all received his attention in due measure, as did every other arrangement required for the completion of the whole edifice; insomuch that every architectural work constructed by his counsels or after his designs is an object of surprise as well as delight to all who behold it. Wherefore it appears to me that the lasting gratitude justly due to the ancients, by those whose studies enable them to derive improvement from their labours, is due in no less degree to the labours of Bramante, from those who benefit by them: for if the Greeks invented that architecture which the Romans imitated, Bramante did more than the latter, since he not only imitated, but, imparting to us what they had taught, in a new and ameliorated form, he added unwonted graces and beauties to the art, which we receive ennobled and embellished by his efforts.

This master was born at Castello Durante, in the state of Urbino, his parents being of good condition though very poor. In his childhood he was taught to read and write, in addition to which he applied himself with great industry to