Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/66

58 picture for the Cathedral of Pisa, which is now in the house of the Wardens of works. Benedetto has likewise painted a picture of the Madonna, and this work gives proof of a truly poetical invention; the artist having represented a figure of Florence, who is presenting the dignitaries of the house of Medici to the protection of the Virgin. This work is now in the possession of the Signor Mondragone, a Spaniard, very highly favoured by the most illustrious Signor, the Prince of Florence.

Giulio died on the day of All Saints, in the year 1546, and over his tomb were placed the following lines:—

The first profession of Sebastiano, as many affirm, was not painting, but music; for, besides that he was a singer, he delighted to perform on various instruments, but more especially on the lute, that being an instrument which permits the player to take all the parts himself, without requiring any one to accompany him. His accomplishments in this matter rendered him for a time exceedingly acceptable to the