Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/313

Rh It is true that his abilities did. not receive their due appreciation from those who might have worthily rewarded them in Rome and Florence; but in France, on the other hand, they were so fully acknowledged, that the glory he there acquired might well have sufficed to quench the utmost thirst of fame, and to satisfy the most exacting ambition that could possibly be entertained by any artist whatsoever. Higher dignities and honours, or a more exalted distinction, he could not have obtained in this life, seeing that by so great a monarch as is the King of France, he was valued and regarded beyond any other man exercising his vocation. But of a truth, the merits of this artist were such that Fortune would have done him a very great injustice had she offered him anything less.

In addition to his gifts as a painter. Rosso was endowed with great personal advantages; he was graceful and impressive in discourse, was an excellent musician, and possessed extensive acquirements in philosophy. As respects his own art, the quality more to be prized than all others by which he was distinguished, was the truly poetical character which he constantly imparted to all the figures in his various compositions. In design he was bold and firm; his manner was exceedingly graceful; he displayed extraordinary force in all cases demanding that quality, and gave further proof of his ability in the admirable grouping of his figures. The architectural works of Rosso are singularly meritorious, and in all things, however poor his condition, he ever proved himself rich in spirit, and replete with greatness of mind. Wherefore, whoever shall pursue the manner adopted in his works by this artist, may be certain that his labours shall be for ever renowned, as were those of Rosso, which in respect of boldness have not their equal; they show no trace of an overlaboured effort, and are wholly free from that dryness and tedium to which so many subject themselves, in the hope of bringing their works from their real nothingness to the appearance of something great.

Rosso studied drawing in his youth from the Cartoon of Michelagnolo, and would follow but very few of the masters