Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/221

Rh Unicorn; in the third oval is a figure representing Religion.

Of the six stories ahovementioned, the first represents Guido Pamese surrounded by numerous figures, all well executed; beneath it is the following inscription:— Guido Farnesius urbis veteris principatum civibus ipsis deferentibus adeptus, laboranti intestinis discordiis civitati, seditiosa factione ejecta, pacem et tranqillitatem restituit anno 1323.

In a long square is the figure of Pietro Niccolò Parnese, the liberator of Bologna, the inscription beneath which is as follows:— Petrus Nicolaus sedis Romance potentissimis hostibus memorabili prcelio superatis, imminenti obsidionis periculo Bononiam liberal, anno salutis 1361.

The square next to this shows Piero Parnese, when made Captain General of the Plorentines, the inscription being as follows;— ''Petrus Farnesius reip. Florentince imperator magnis Pisanorum copiis capto duce obsidionis occisis urbem Florentiam triumphans ingreditur, anno'' 1362.

In the circular picture opposite to that before-described is another Pietro Parnese, who defeats the enemies of the Roman Church at Orbatello; this also has its appropriateinscription. In one of the two other squares, which are of equal size, is the Signor Ranieri Parnese elected Captaingeneral of the Florentines in the place of the Signor Pietro his brother, with this inscription:— ''Rainerius Farnesius a Florentinis difficili reip. tempore in Petri fratris mortui locum copiarum omnium dux deligitur, anno'' 1362.

And in the remaining square is Ranuccio Parnesi appointed General of the Church by Pope Eugenius IV., with the inscription which follows:— ''Ranutius Farnesius Pauli III. papce avus Eugenio 4 P. M. rosce aurece munere insignitus pontificii exercitus imperator constituitur, anno Christi'' 1435.

In addition to these Stories, the whole ceiling is filled with most beautiful figures, to say nothing of the stucco-work, gilding, and other ornaments. The walls beneath have eight pictures, two on each. In the first, which is at the right of the entrance, is Pope Julius III. confirming the Duke Ottavio, and the Prince, his son, in the possession of Parma and Placentia, which he does in the presence of the Cardinal Parnese; in that of Sant’ Agnolo, his brother; the Cham-