Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 4.djvu/93

Rh Eagles, for example; Venus by her Doves, the Moon by Women, Mars by Wolves, Mercury by Cocks, the Sun by Horses, and Saturn by Serpents. There are besides the twelve Signs of the Zodiac, and forty-eight figures of the Constellations; as, for example, the Great Bear, the Dog-star, and many others, as we have said, but which we pass over, and do not recount them in their order, to avoid needless prolixity, and because the works are themselves to be seen. Almost all these figures are by the hand of Perino.

In the centre of the ceiling is a circular compartment, within which are four figures, representing Victory, and holding the triple crown of the Pontiffs, with the keys of St. Peter; the figures are fore-shortened, and executed with the most perfect mastery, displaying great knowledge of art and wonderful judgment; the draperies also are exceedingly light and graceful, the nude forms being veiled only with textures so nearly transparent that the form of the lower limbs and arms is discovered through them; without doubt a most graceful beauty. This work was held at the time and is still considered to be highly honourable to the artists, rich and elaborate in its character, cheerful in its effect, and of most pleasing aspect; at a word, this performance is entirely worthy of that Pontiff, who did not fail to reward the artists for their pains, which were fully worthy, without doubt, of very large remuneration.

Perino next undertook to execute a facjaae in chiaroscuro, a method then brought into use by Polidoro and Maturino. The building which he thus decorated is opposite to the house of the Marchesa di Massa, and near that of Maestro Pasquino, and the work was executed by Perino with infinite boldness of design,- and much care in the treatment.

In the third year of his pontificate, Pope Leo X. repaired to Florence, and as on the occasion of his visit many festive preparations were made, and arches of triumph, &c., erected, Perino, partly for the purpose of beholding those pomps,