Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/209

Rh Arno and Mugnone, as we have before related, and being again united at the fountain of the labyrinth, they thence continue to the centre of the great fountain, where are the boys with the geese. From this point, according to the plans of Tribolo, the waters were to have been conveyed by two separate conduits, to the basins of the loggie, each stream passing subsequently on to one of the private gardens. Now the first of these gardens, that towards the west namely, is entirely filled with medicinal plants, or with such as are otherwise remarkable, for which reason the statue of Esculapius was selected to occupy the niche of the fountain placed at the summit of this garden of simples; the figure in question standing immediately behind the basin receiving the water.

The principal fountain of Castello, whereof we have spoken above, and which was constructed entirely of marble, was finished at all points by Tribolo himself, and was indeed completed to such perfection, that nothing better could be wished for in a work of that character; insomuch that I believe it may with truth be declared the most admirably proportioned, most pleasing, richest, and most beautiful fountain that has ever been constructed, seeing that throughout the whole work, in the vases, basins, figures, and other decorations, the most extraordinary ability, care, and patience, are everywhere apparent. After having prepared the model for the above-mentioned statue of Esculapius, Tribolo began to work on the marble, but being interrupted by other occupations, he did not complete that figure, which was subsequently finished by his disciple, the sculptor Antonio di Gino.

On a small lawn outside the garden, and to the east thereof, is an oak, which Tribolo found means to use for his purposes in a very ingenious manner. This old tree is covered with ivy climbing to the summit, and which covers every part, being interwoven among the branches in such sort, that it gives the appearance of a very thick grove to this oak, to the top whereof Tribolo made a commodious staircase, similarly concealed and covered with the ivy, not being visible indeed from any point. Arrived at the summit, a square chamber is found furnished with seats, which have the backs and arms of living verdure, and in the centre is a small table of marble, with a vase thereon, also of vari-