Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/123

Rh paintings of which it was to serve as a basement or kind of frame-work.

Meanwhile the great hall of the kings in the papal palace, which is that before the chapel of Sixtus IV., had been finished by Anton da Sangallo, when Perino painted an octagonal picture in the ceiling, with a cross, and several compartments of an oval form, some of which were in relief; this being done, Perino was furthermore commissioned to add decorations in stucco, with command to make those ornaments as rich and beautiful as could possibly be contrived with the utmost resources of art This work the master commenced accordingly, and in the octangles he executed roses and figures of children alternately, the four boys being in full relief, and having their feet directed to the centre; their arms are thrown out, and with these they form what may be truly called a very beautiful circle: the remainder of the space is filled with the various devices of the house of Farnese, and in the centre of the vaulting are the arms of the Pope. And of a truth this work in stucco may justly be affirmed to have surpassed all that has ever been done in that manner by the ancients or moderns, and to be entirely worthy of the head of the Christian religion.

It was after the designs of Perino moreover, that the glass windows of the same Hall were executed by Pastorino da Siena, who was a very able master of his calling, and beneath these Perino likewise caused exquisite decorations in stucco to be prepared, which were afterwards continued by the painter Daniello Ricciarelli, of Volterra: this lastnamed artist, had death not opposed itself to his great designs, wrould have taught the world what is the boldness and heart of the moderns, and how their force suffices, not only to equal the works of the ancients, but perhaps even to surpass them. .