Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/25

Rh obtain their ends from the rulers who were in power at the time.

It was under the direction of the same architect, that almost the whole of the foundations beneath the Apostolic Palace were strengthened and restored; many parts besides those we have mentioned, being in great danger of ruin, more particularly on one side of the Sistine Chapel, that whereon are the works of Michelagnolo namely, and on the façade also. This Antonio effected in such a manner, that not the slightest cleft or crack was afterwards perceptible; a work in which there was more danger than honour. He also enlarged the great hall of the Sistine chapel, and in two lunettes on the principal side he constructed those two immense windows which we now see there, with their extraordinary sashes, and compartments thrown forward into the vaulting and decorated with stucco-work: all which was done at great cost, and is a work of so much beauty that this may be considered the richest and most beautiful hall which had then been seen in the world. To this hall the master added a magnificent staircase, forming the communication between the Sistine Chapel and the church of San Pietro: this also is so beautiful and commodious an erection, that nothing better has ever been seen, whether among the ancients or moderns. The Pauline Chapel, wherein the sacrament is deposited, is likewise by Antonio Sangallo, and is a building of singularly beautiful and attractive character; it is indeed so exquisitely proportioned and arranged, that the graceful fabric appears to present itself arranged in festive smiles, as if to welcome the entrance of the visitor.

At the time when contentions were existing between the Pope and the people of Perugia, Antonio constructed the fortifications of that city; this work, in the progress of which the dwellings of the Baglioni family were razed to the ground, was completed by the architect with extraordinary rapidity, and was considered to be very finely executed. Antonio also built the fortress of Ascoli, and brought it to such a state in the course of a few days, that it could be held