Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/207

Rh rounded by Angels, who support the body, and in very sorrowful attitudes are contemplating their Maker, reduced to that condition by the sins of the world.

When this work was completed, it received universal commendation; and Andrea, moved by the entreaties of many persons, who were admirers of the picture, consented to have it engraved in Kome by the Venetian Agostino; but the engraving was not a successful one, for which cause Andrea would never afterwards permit any of his works to be engraved. Returning to the picture itself, however, this gave no less satisfaction in France, whither it was sent, than it had done in Florence; and the King, conceiving the most earnest desire to possess other works by the same hand, gave orders to the intent, that the master should execute certain paintings for him; a circumstance which induced Andrea to form the design of proceeding at no distant time into France, and in this he was much encouraged by the persuasions of his friends.

But in the meantime, the Florentines, understanding that Pope Leo X. was minded to do his native city the grace and favour of showing himself therein, which he did in the year 1515; the Florentines, I say, commanded that most magnificent preparations should be made for the festivals which were to be arranged for the reception of His Holiness. A very sutnptuous array of ornaments, triumphal arches, temples, colossal statues, and other decorations, was accordingly made ready^ and the fronts of buildings were richly decorated, insomuch, tha,t the like had never before been seen, whether as regarded splendour, magnificence, or beauty; for at that time there was a greater number of distinguished men in Florence, and more men of genius were then flourishing there than had been known at any previous period. Jacopo di Sandro and Baccio di Montelupo constructed an arch, en-