Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/44

36 and of Apollo and Hyacinth, all of which are published in engravings.

After Giulio had separated himself entirely from GiovanFrancesco, he undertook various architectural works in Rome, as for example, the design for the house of the Alberini in Banchi, although some believe that the plan of this work is due to Raphael himself. Giulio likewise designed a Palace which is on the piazza of the Dogana in Rome, and this, being considered very beautiful, has, for that reason, been engraved. He also built a house for himself at one corner of the Macello de’ Corbi, where stood that in which he was born. The principal range of windows is very beautiful, and, however small this building, it is, nevertheless, a very graceful one. The excellent qualities of Giulio causing him to be esteemed the best artist in Italy, after the death of Raphael, the Count Baldassare Castiglione, who was then in Rome as ambassador from Federigo Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, and was the intimate friend of Giulio, as we have said, did his utmost, by prayers and promises, to prevail on that master to accompany him to Mantua, Baldassare having been commanded by the Marquis, his master, to send him an architect, of whose services he might avail himself, whether for his own palace, or the necessities of the city, and having moreover observed that it would be particularly agreeable to him if he could have Giulio. The latter, thereupon, declared at length that he would certainly go, provided they could obtain the permission of the Pope; and the desired licence being secured, Baldassare, who was returning to Mantua, thence to proceed as ambassador from the Pope to the Emperor, took Giulio with him to that city.

Arrived in Mantua, he was presented by Castiglione to the Marquis, who, after a most amicable reception, caused him to be given a dwelling very honourably appointed, with a liberal stipend and a table, not for himself only, but for