Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/449

Rh tendom. The altar of St. Peter and the ancient choir or tribune was all that Bramante retained, and this he enclosed within a rich balustrade most beautifully executed, with columns or balusters of the Doric order, and all in Peperigno marble. This enclosure is of such extent, that when the Pops goes to St. Peter’s to perform high mass, he can find space within it for all his court, as well as for tlie ambassadors of all Christian princes; the work was not entirely finished at the death of Bramante, and received its ultimate completion from the Sienese Baldassare.

Bramante was a person of most cheerful and amiable disposition, delighting to do everything whereby he could bring benefit to his neighbour. He was the assured friend of all men distinguished by their talents, and favoured them to the utmost of his power, as was manifest in his conduct towards the graceful Rafiaello da Urbino, a most celebrated painter who was induced to settle in Rome by his means. This master always lived in the most splendid and honourable manner, and in the station to which he had attained, all that he possessed was as nothing to what he might and would have expended. He delighted greatly in poetry and took much pleasure in music; hearing as well as practising improvisations on the lyre with infinite enjoyment: he would also occasionally compose a sonnet, if not in so polished a manner as we are now wont to expect, yet always giving evidence of an earnest purpose and entirely free from errors of style. Bramante was highly esteemed by the prelates,