Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/254

246 and Damiano, painted in the principal chapel of the church of San Lorenzo at Florence. This picture Pope Clement wished to see executed on one side of the above-named chapel, proposing that the Martyrdom of San Lorenzo, who was condemned by Decius to the death of roasting on a gridiron, should occupy the opposite wall of the same chapel.

The Martyrdom of San Lorenzo was designed by Baccio with extraordinary care and delicacy, the various figures, clothed and nude, being delineated with much judgment, and the various attitudes of the bodies and limbs proving considerable knowledge of art. The different movements and actions also of those who, surrounding San Lorenzo, are engaged in the cruel office wherewith they are occupied, with the dark and angry countenance of the wicked Decius, may be more particularly remarked: with looks of rage he commands that the fire shall be increased, and hastens the death of the innocent martyr, who, raising one arm to heaven, commends his spirit to God. By this work Baccio so greatly pleased Pope Clement, that the latter caused the Bolognese, Marco Antonio, to engrave it in copper, and this was accomplished by Marcantonio accordingly with much care. His Holiness then conferred the dignity of a knight of San Piero on Bandinelli, as an appropriate recompence for the ability thus displayed.

After these things Bandinelli returned to Florence, where he found Gio-Francesco Rustici, his first master, engaged with a picture of the Conversion of St. Paul. Baccio thereupon commenced a cartoon, as it were in emulation of his master, with the figure of a San Giovanni, whom he represented as a youth, and in the wilderness; he has a lamb in the left arm, and is holding the right extended towards heaven. Bandinelli then caused a panel to be prepared, and executed his picture in colours, placing it in the public view when he had finished it, by suspending the same in the shop of his father Michelagnolo, which was situate on the descent leading from Orsanmichele to the new market.

The design of this work was commended by the artists, but they were not so well satisfied with the colouring, which was somewhat hard, and the painting was not in a good manner. Baccio nevertheless despatched the picture as a present to Pope