Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/105

Rh appointments nor anything else that he required, and with which the monarch had commanded that he should be supplied.

Offended by this treatment, and perceiving that men of ability were as much despised and maltreated by the ministers of that magnanimous king, as they were valued and honoured by the sovereign himself, Giovann’ Agnolo departed, and this notwithstanding that all the arrears of his stipend were paid to him by the treasurers (who were made aware of his displeasure), even to the uttermost farthing. Before he left Paris, however, Giovann’ Agnolo declared his purpose of doing so, bv his letters to the King as well as to the Cardinal.

From the capital of France he proceeded to Lyons, and thence by Provence to Genoa, but did not remain there long, leaving that city in company with several of his friends, with whom he visited Venice, Padua, Verona, and Mantua, where, to his great pleasure, he saw and sometimes designed, many fine buildings, sculptures, and paintings. But that which pleased him more thafi all in Mantua, was the examination which he had opportunities for making of the paintings executed in that place by Giulio Romano, some of which he copied with much care. Having afterwards been informed, (while at Ferrara and Bologna,) that his brethren of the vServites were holding a ‘general Chapter of their Order in Budrione,he repaired thither to meet the many of his acquaintance, who were certain to be found there, more particularly the Florentine Maestro Zaccheria, who was his most intimate friend; and at the entreaty of this Maestro Zaccheria, Giovanni Agnolo there produced in a day and a night, two figures in terra^ of the size of life, representing Faith and Charity, which were coloured to imitate white marble, and served as ornaments to a Fountain contrived by him, with the aid of a great copper vessel, for the occasion. This fountain continued to throw water during the whole of the day on which the Chanter was held, to the reat honour and glory of the Frate.

With the same Maestro Zaccheria, Giovann’ Agnolo then returned to Florence, and to his Convent of the Servites, where he executed two figures, also in terra, and larger than life, which were placed in two niches of the Chapter House; these represented Moses and St. Paul, and were very highly