Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/398

390 but in such a manner that no unpleasant effect would have been caused. This design pleased Bernardino greatly, and would have been put into execution, but as he died before that was effected, the chapel was left in its unfinished condition to the heirs, who have not done anything further in the matter.

While Simone was labouring at this chapel, it chanced that Antonio da San Gallo passed through Arezzo, on his return from the fortification of Parma,, and was then proceeding to Loretto, whither he had already despatched II Tribolo, Raffaello da Montelupo, the young Francesco da San Gallo, and Girolamo da Ferrara, with Simon Cioli, and other statuaries, carvers, and stone-masons, he being commissioned to complete the work which Andrea Sansovino had left unfinished at his death; and Antonio then took measures which at length enabled him to secure the assistance of Simone Mosca likewise. When the last-named artist arrived in Loretto, San Gallo gave him the care, not only of the carvings, but of certain details in the architecture also, with that of other ornaments required for the same work; and in these commissions Simone acquitted himself admirably well: there are, indeed, some things which he executed with his own hand, of which the beauty is very remarkable, more especially the children in marble, carved in full relief on the pediments, which are over the doors; and although there are some of these which are by the hand of Simon Cioli, yet the best, which are indeed most beautiful, are all due to Mosca.

The last-named artist likewise undertook the whole of the festoons in marble which pass entirely around that work, and which he executed with the most exquisite art; the carvings are indeed most graceful, and worthy of the very highest commendation, insomuch that none need marvel if these works are admired and esteemed to such a degree, that many artists have travelled from various distant parts for the purpose of repairing to Loretto, there to behold these productions.

Perceiving the great value of the services rendered by Simone on all important occasions, Antonio da San Gallo not.only availed himself gladly of that aid, but had it much at heart to reward him very largely at some future time for