Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/210

198 decorated the Staircase of the Patriarchs with small figures placed with infinite grace behind certain ornaments in stucco: this done, he painted two Stories in fresco, that of Lazarus and the Conversion of the Magdalen namely, in the above-mentioned chapel, the designs for which, by the hand of Federigo, we now have in our book. The Altarpiece for the chapel, which he painted in oil, is an Adoration of the Magi. At a somewhat later period, Federigo executed certain pictures in a Loggia at the Villa of Messer Giovan Battista Pellegrini, which is situate between Monselice and Chioggia, and where Andrea Schiavone has also left many works, as have the Flemings, Lambert and Walther. Those now executed there by Federigo were very highly extolled.

His brother having thus departed, Taddeo continued the frescoes in the Chapel of San Marcello, at which he worked all the summer, and where he finally painted the Altar-piece in oil. The subject chosen was the Conversion of St. Paul; and the Saint, a figure in a very fine manner, is seen fallen from his horse and bewildered at the splendour and voice of Christ, who appears surrounded by a Glory of Angels, and is in the act of uttering the words,—“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Those around him are standing, in equal amazement, all looking terrified and confounded by the miracle pas.sing before them. In the ceiling our artist depicted three Stories in fresco from the Life of the same Saint, within certain compartments, formed of stucco-work.

One represents St. Paul when, being led prisoner to Rome, he disembarks on the Island of Melita, and the serpent seizes his hand as he is in the act of kindling a fire. In this picture numerous figures of mariners, almost entirely nude, stand around the ship. The second exhibits the miracle of the youth, who, having fallen from the window, and being brought to St. Paul dead, is, through the power of God, restored by him to life. The third presents the beheading and death of the Saint.

The walls beneath are in like manner adorned with two Stories in fresco, one shows St. Paul curing a lame man, the other is a Disputation, wherein the Saint causes a Magician to be struck with blindness, both truly beautiful pictures;