Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/487

Rh taught his art to one of his daughters, and she also worked most admirably.

The desire of Yalerio for the possession of antiquities in marble, impressions from good works, ancient and modern, or designs and pictures by the hands of great and eminent masters, was so powerful that he spared no expense to obtain them, insomuch that his house at Vicenza is adorned with such a variety of these productions as to be a perfect marvel. Certain it is that he who has once conceived a true love of art never ceases to be influenced by that love until he sinks into his grave, and while he deservedly secures thereby reward and praises in life, he also renders his memory immortal. Valerio was ever richly remunerated for his labours, and received many benefits as well as various offices from the princes whom he served, wherefore those whom he left behind him are enabled by his endeavours to support themselves in an honourable condition. In the year 1546, when the infirmities arising from age would no longer permit him to give his attention to the labours of liis art, Valerio ceased to live, and resigned his soul to God.

At Parma, in former times, there flourished Marmita, who for some time gave his attention to painting, but afterwards devoted himself to the engraving of gems; he was a faithful imitator of the antique, and there are many admirable works by his hand. Marmita taught his art to a son ealled Ludovico, who lived long in Eome, and was in the service of the Cardinal Giovanni de’ Salviati, for whom he engraved four crystals of an oval form, which made part of the decorations of a very beautiful casket in silver. This casket was afterwards presented to the most illustrious Leonora of Toledo, Duchess of Florence. Among other works Ludovico executed a Cameo with a head of Socrates also, which is very beautiful; he too was an excellent imitator of antique medals, and derived very great advantage from the practiee of copying them.