Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/521

Rh large plate of the Conversion of San Paolo, for which the engraver obtained a very great increase of reputation; there are vast numbers of soldiers and horses in this work, which has ever been considered an exceedingly beautiful one. Enea likewise engraved the Portrait of the Signor Ciovanni de’ Medici, father of the Duke Cosimo, with a decoration or frame-work which is exceedingly rich in figures: he likewise engraved one of the Emperor Charles Y., with a framework appropriately exhibiting figures of the Goddess of Victory, and trophies of various kinds. For this the master was largely rewarded by his Majesty, and received the commendations of all who saw the work. In another plate which is admirably well executed, Enea Vico engraved the Victory obtained by Charles V. on the Albio; and. for Doni he executed certain Heads from Nature, with very beautiful ornaments in the manner of medals; these were Henry King of Frantje, the Cardinal Bembo, Messer Ludovico Ariosto, the Signora Laura Terracina, Messer Cipriano Morocini, and Doni himself.

For Don Giulio Clovio, a most distinguished miniature painter, Enea engraved a plate of San Giorgio destroying the Dragon, and although this may be considered to belong to the earliest works engraved by his hand, he has nevertheless acquitted himself exceedingly well therein. Possessing much elevation of genius, and desirous of devoting himself to greater and more important undertakings, Enea Vico afterwards applied his attention to the study of antiquities, more particularly to that of ancient medals. Of these he has published several books, wherein may be found the true eiSgies of many emperors and their consorts, with inscriptions, and reverses of medals in great variety: they are indeed of most varied character, and are well calculated to assist all who take pleasure therein, to a clearer and more exact understanding of historical events. For this work Enea has merited and will long deserve high praise, and those who have attacked his book of medals have proved themselves guilty of injustice, for whoever considers the great labour and pains he has bestowed, on the work, with the extensive utility as well as beauty of the sajne, should and will excuse him, even though he may have sometimes erred in matters of