Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/23

Rh after the plan of that in Rome. Nor were these the only plans prepared by Antonio in that city; he also made designs for many other palaces and buildings of various character, for different persons, some natives of the place, and some strangers. These edifices were in many instances erected at such enormous cost that to whoever has not seen them, the account would seem incredible; they were finished at all points, with the most commodious arrangements, and in the richest manner; this being done by many, without doubt for the purpose of gaining credit with the Pope, for so it is that many seek to obtain favour for themselves by flattering the humour of princes, and in such cases as these it may at least be admitted that the thing deserves commendation in a certain sense, inasmuch as that it redounds to the convenience, advantage, and enjoyment of all.

In the year which saw Charles V. returning victorious from Tunis, and when there were erected in Messina, Apuglia, and Naples, very magnificent Arches of Triumph in celebration of so great a victory, Antonio received a commission from the Pope to erect a Triumphal Arch of wood-work at the Palace of San Marco in Rome likewise, the Emperor being expected to visit that city also. This construction presented a square of four sides, being intended to form the entrance of two streets, and was so beautiful, that a more admirably proportioned or more superb work in wood has never been seen. Nay, if the splendour and cost of marble had been added to the forethought, art, and care, bestowed on the design, formation, and construction of this fabric, it might with truth have been enumerated—the perfection of its statues, decorations in painting, and other ornaments considered—among the seven wonders of the world. The Arch was placed at the outermost angle of the place, where it turns towards the principal piazza namely; it was of the Corinthian order, the four round columns of silver-gilt standing on each side, the capitals thereof being beautifully carved in foliage, and richly gilded with gold. Over the columns, both within and without, there were also very superb archi-