Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/336

328 deed certain, that both in his life and works Bagnacavallo was above mediocrity, and much superior to the other artists of whom we are now speaking: his drawing and invention also were of greater merit than those of the others abovenamed. Of the truth of what is here said, an example may be seen in our own book of drawings, which contains one by this artist, wherein he has delineated our Saviour Christ Disputing with the Doctors in the Temple, with a building, which is very ably and judiciously designed. Bagnacavallo ended his life at the age of fifty-eight. He had been always much envied by the Bolognese Amico, who was a self-willed and eccentric man; the figures of Amico also are in like manner contorted and half wild, so to speak. Examples of these capricious performances may be seen in many parts of Italy, but more particularly in Bologna, where he spent the greater part of his time.

But if Amico had followed up the many pains which he gave himself in drawing, with an execution of the true and right kind, and not as chance and caprice dictated, he might, peradventure, have passed beyond many who have been considered good and able artists; nay, so much is done by the mere persistence in practice, that among the works of a master who has produced large numbers, it is almost impossible but that something good should be found, and such, accordingly, among the many by this artist, is the fa9ade of a building which he painted in fresco, on the piazza of the Marsigli. It presents numerous divisions, in which are represented stories, and above these is a frieze of animals engaged in combat; these last are depicted with great spirit and boldness, and may be considered the best work ever produced by this master. Another façade was painted by Amico at the gate of San Mammalo; likewise executed the frieze around the principal chapel of San Salvatore; but this last is so extravagant, and so full of absurdities in every part, that it might well make a man laugh, even