Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/439

Rh pursued his researches as far as Naples, and visited all places wherein he could ascertain that ancient buildings were to be found. The remains still existing at Tivoli, and in the villa of Adrian were studiously measured by Bramante, who profited largely by these examinations, as will be declared in the proper place. These pursuits caused his talents to become known to the Cardinal of Naples, who began to remark, and eventually to favour his progress. While Bramante, therefore, was continuing his studies as here described, it came into the mind of the Cardinal to rebuild a cloister in Travertine, for the monks of the Pace, and this work he committed to Bramante. Whereupon, being very anxious to make gain as well as to acquire the good will of the Cardinal, he gave himself to the work with the utmost zeal and diligence, by which means he quickly brought it to a most successful conclusion. It is true that the building was not one of distinguished beauty, but it obtained a great name for the architect, seeing that there were but few masters in Rome, who then devoted themselves to architecture with the zealous study and promptitude of execution which distinguished Bramante.

In the commencement of his labours, this master served as under architect to Pope Alexander VI. when that Pontiff was constructing the Fountain in the Trastevere, as likewise for that which he also erected on the Piazza of St. Peter, but his reputation having increased, he was invited to take part with other eminent architects in the greater number of the consultations which were held respecting the Palace of San Giorgio, and the church of San Lorenzo in Damaso, which Raffaello Riario, Cardinal of San Giorgio, was at that time about to build near the Campo di Fiore. And although better works may have been executed at a later period, yet this palace, were it only for its extent, has ever been considered and still continues to be thought a splendid and commodious habitation; the works of this fabric were conducted by Antonio