Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/273

Rh Udine who still survives, he is a very good painter and architect, as is his younger brother Antonio Floriani, whose admirable qualities in his vocation have obtained him an appointment in the service of his Majesty the Emperor Maximilian. Several pictures by Francesco Floriani were to be seen two years since in the possession of the above-named emperor, who was then king; one of these was a Judith who has just taken off the head of Holofernes: this is a work which 'betokens great judgment and gives proof of the utmost care. The same monarch is in possession of a book, which is filled with pen and ink drawings by Francesco Floriani, these consist of buildings displaying the richest powers of invention, as for example, theatres, palaces, porticoes, bridges, arches of triumph, and other works in architecture, useful as well as beautiful.

The painter Gensio Liberate was likewise a disciple of Pellegrino; he is remarkable, among other things, for the exactitude and beauty with which he depicts all kinds of fish. This artist is now in the service of the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, wherein he holds a distinguished position, and very deservedly, seeing that he is a truly excellent painter.

But among the most renowned and illustrious of all the painters belonging to Friuli, and the one who has most distinguished himself in our days, is Giovanni Antonio Licinio, sometimes called Cuticello, by whom all those above-named were far surpassed, whether we consider their invention, composition, design, boldness, or beauty of colouring. His paintings in fresco were greatly superior to those of all the others; he excelled them in promptitude of execution, in the great relief which he gave to his figures, or, to say all at a word, in every other quality demanded for the due exercise of our arts.

This master was born at Pordenone, a small town in Friuli, ,