Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/231

Rh to appear that can offend the eye or in any manner disappoint the expectation of the beholder. When this Bacchus was completed, it was purchased by Bongianni Capponi, and his nephew, Ludovico Capponi, now has it in one of the courts of his house.

While Piero was executing these works, it was as yet known to but very few, that he was the nephew of Leonardo da Yinci, but his performances having rendered him known, and even distinguished, there was question made of his birth and kindred; whereupon he was ever after called II Yinci, and no longer Piero, not only for his near connection with his uncle Leonardo, but also for that felicity of his genius wherein he so closely resembled that great man.

II Yinci then, while he was thus pursuing his studies, had heard much discourse from many persons concerning the works of art to be seen in Rome; all highly extolling the same, as is the custom of every one. By these means Piero was inflamed with an ardent wish to see these works, and he had besides the hope that he should himself profit greatly, not by examining the works of the ancients only, but those of Michelagnolo likewise, and he further hoped to make the acquaintance of the last-named master, who was then living and resided at the time in Rome. He repaired to that city accordingly, in company with several of his friends; but having seen all that he had desired to behold there, he returned once more to Florence; perceiving with great judgment that the works he saw in Rome were too profound for him at that time, and must be studied and imitated, not thus in the commencement of his career, but after he had acquired a more intimate acquaintance with Art.

Tribolo had about that time completed a model for the shaft or column of the fountain of the labyrinth, in which there are certain Satyrs in basso-rilievo, with four masks in mezzorilievo, and four little boys seated on vine-tendrils; these last being in full relief, and Piero ' having then returned, Tribolo gave him the charge of this column, which he executed and completed, making certain graceful additions to the design, which were entirely original and peculiar to himself; nor have these failed to receive commendation from all who have seen them.

The marble vase, or rather basin, of this fountain, had been