Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/450

442 called the Madonna di Campagna, in which, and in other edifices, constructed by him in Verona and elsewhere, Bernardino is succeeding extremely well. In the erection and decoration of the principal chapel of San Giorgio, in Verona, this artist has moreover acquitted himself in a highly distinguished manner. The building is of the composite order, and is such,—as the Veronese affirm—whether, for size, design, or execution, that they believe none equal to it can be found in Italy.

This chapel has received the form of the semicircular space within which it is built, and has Corinthian columns, with a composite capital; they stand wholly apart from the wall, and have pilasters behind them. The pediment which rises above them all is of similar character, and follows the circular form of the recess, with an effect which proves great mastery in the architect: it is decorated with all the ornaments which belong to that order. Nor will I omit to mention the fact that when Monsignore Barbaro, Patriarch-elect of Aquileia, who is profoundly conversant with such matters, and has written on the subject—when Monsignore Barbaro, I say, examined this work on his return from the Council of Trent, he did not refuse commendation to that part of it which is completed, and expressed approval also of the portion which is still in progress; nay, having inspected the fabric several times, he concluded by remarking that he had never seen one similar to it, and that it could scarcely have been better done. This may suffice as an indication of what may be hoped from the genius of Bernardino, who, on the mother’s side, belongs, as we have said, to the San Michele family.

But to return to Michele San Michele, from whom we departed, not without cause, some short time back. The death of Gian Girolamo caused him so much grief, since in him he beheld that branch of the house of San Michele menaced with extinction—his nephew leaving no children that — notwithstanding the determined efforts which he made to conquer and overcome his sorrow, he was seized with a malignant fever, of which he died in a few days, to the inexpressible regret of his country and of his most illustrious masters. This happened in the year 1559, and