Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/172

164 one in the modern manner, the other in that of the Teutonic nations. This work is still preserved in the Sacristy of San Petronio as an extraordinary production, the master having drawn the building in perspective, after such sort that the fabric appears to be in relief. In the same city there are a vast number of designs by this artist, which he made in the house of the Count Giovanni Battista Bentivogli, for the above-named church, and which are so beautiful that it would not be possible adequately to extol their merit, more especially when we consider the wonderful and admirable inventions worked out by this master, in his wish to avoid the destruction of the old building, and in the endeavour to conjoin the new part with just and fair proportion to what remained of the old. For the Count Battista above-named, Baldassare made a design in chiaro-scuro, representing the Nativity of Christ and the Adoration of the Magi: the horses, chariots, and all else belonging to the Courts of the Three Kings are wonderful to behold; with such admirable grace and beauty are they depicted, as are also the architectural details of the temples and other buildings, by which the cabin is surrounded. The Count caused that work to be subsequently coloured by Girolamo Trevigi, who performed his part to great perfection.

The design for the portal of the church of San Michele in Bosco, a very beautiful monastery outside Bologna, which belongs to the Monks of Monte 01iveto, was prepared by this master; as were also the design and model for the Cathedral of Carpi, which was exceedingly beautiful; the structure was built under the direction of Baldassare, and according to the rules laid down by Vitruvius. In the same city our artist commenced the church of San Niccolo; but this building was not completed at that time, the master having been almost compelled to return to Siena, whither