Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/301

Rh The building has likewise been adorned with friezes in stucco, amply decorated with figures both large and small, as also with devices and other ornaments of various kinds: while beneath the niches, and in the compartments of the ceilings, are numerous and beautiful inventions of carved work and stuccoes: all which has enriched the whole work in such a manner that its appearance is entirely changed, and it has gained considerably, both in grace and beauty. And whereas, according to the first design, the audience chamber did not rise beyond the height of eighteen braccia, the roof of the hall being twenty-one, and a space of three braccia being left between them, the roof of the latter has now been raised to such an extent that it stands twelve braccia above its previous height, and fifteen above the audience chamber of Baccio and Giuliano, insomuch that the roof of the hall is now thirty-three braccia high.

Duke Cosimo certainly gave proof of much promptitude of determination, when he formed the resolution to complete this entire work, of which more than one third was still wanting, for the occasion of the above-mentioned wedding, and in the space of five months; although it had taken more than fifteen years to bring it to the condition in which it was then found. His Excellency nevertheless would have it brought to perfection, and did so within the time specified: nay, not only did he cause all that Baccio had commenced to be completed, but he also furthermore commanded Giorgio Vasari to execute a work designed by the latter; whereupon, recommencing from the basement which encircles nearly the whole of the building, Vasari formed a passage or corridor bordered with a balustrade, and from which, in walking around the edifice, you discover the interior of the hall on one side, while you obtain a view of the entire piazza from the other.

By favour of this corridor therefore, the princes and nobles can now commodiously behold whatever spectacles and festivities there may be proceeding in the piazza or the hall, without being seen themselves, to their great enjoyment; and may afterwards withdraw to the apartments, passing at their pleasure by the private or public staircases through all the chambers of the palace.

There are nevertheless many who are dissatisfied, that in a work so great and so beautiful, the building was not