Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/249

Rh as well as because he had been recommended by the Pope, and he was immediately furnished with a piece of marble, from which he was to make a relief representing the Birth of the Virgin. Baccio prepared the model, and commenced the work, but being a man who could not endure any equal or even comparison, and who was very sparing in praise of the works of others, he began to censure and use disparaging terms concerning the labours of Andrea, when speaking of them to the other sculptors who were then at Loretto, declaring that the master had no power of design, but affirming the same thing of the other artists also, insomuch that after a short time he caused himself to be regarded with ill-will by all of them.

These things coming to the ears of Andrea, he, like the wise man that he was, reproved him, at first with gentle words, remarking that works are executed with the hand and not with the tongue, and that good drawing is not to be inferred from sketches on paper, when the calling of the sculptor is in question, but is to be proved by the success of the whole work when it is seen completed in stone; advising moreover that Baccio should speak of him for the future in different terms.

But Bandinelli replying haughtily and with many abusive words, Maestro Andrea could endure no more, and rushed upon his assailant with intent to kill him; this was prevented by some who stood near and who interposed between them, whereupon, being compelled to leave Loretto, Bandinelli caused his work to be taken to Ancona, but becoming dissatisfied and wearied with it although then very near completion, he left it there unfinished and departed from the place. This rilievo was subsequently brought to a conclusion by Raffaello da Monte Lupo, and was fixed in its place, together with those by Maestro Andrea, but it is not equal to them in excellence, although, even thus left incomplete by its author, there is yet much in it worthy of praise.

Having returned to Home, Bandinelli made interest with the Pope, by the intervention of the Cardinal Giulio de