Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/323

Rh of this chamber Giorgio decorated with four pictures, each ten braccia in extent, and separated one from the other by niches four braccia wide, within which were placed statues; on each side of every niche was a terminus in relief, nine braccia high, in such sort that there were five niches and ten termini on each side, the whole room presenting ten niches, twenty termini, and eight historical pictures.

In the first of these pictures, which were in chiaro-scuro (that on the right hand namely, and next to the stage), there was a beautiful figure representing Venezia Adriatica, seated on a rock in the midst of the sea, and holding a branch of coral in her hand. Around her were Iseptune, Thetis, Proteus, Nereus, Glaucus, Palemon, and other marine gods and nymphs, all of whom presented to her gold, jewels, pearls, and other riches of the sea. There were besides troups of Loves shooting their arrows, with others hovering in the air and scattering flowers; the remaining space of the picture was filled with beautiful palm-trees.

In the second picture were the rivers Drave and Save, represented by nude figures with their appropriate urns. The third painting presented the river Po, depicted as a large and corpulent figure with seven sons, to signify the seven arms or branches which proceed from the Po, and all of which pour themselves into the sea, as though each were a royal and independent stream. In the fourth picture was the Brenta with other rivers of Friuli.

The picture placed opposite to that of the Venezia Adriatica represented the island of Candia, wherein was perceived the infant Jove suckled by the goat and surrounded by numerous nymphs. Beside this, and opposite to the Drave and Save, was the river Tagliamento with the mountains of Cadore, beneath which, and standing opposite to the river Po, was the lake Benacus with the river Mincio, which are represented as falling into the Po. Beside this last, and opposite the Brenta were the Adige and the Tesino, both of which fall into the sea.

In the niches between the pictures decorating the righthand side of the apartment were the following allegorical figures or virtues, Liberality, Concord, Piety, Peace, and Religion; while on the other side were Fortitude, Civic Prudence, Justice, a figure of Victory with War beneath