Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/313

Rh place of the semi-circular staircase previously existing there, and which, having ascended eight steps, turned inwards and ascended eight more, as designed by Bramante. This was erected in the great recess in the centre of the Belvedere, but Miclielagnolo now designed the beautiful quadrangular staircase with a balustrade of peperino marble, as we still see it.

It was in this same year that Vasari completed the printing of his book, comprising the Biography of the Painters, Sculptors, and Architects; but he had written the life of no surviving artist (although many were very old), Michelagnolo alone excepted. He now presented his work to that master, who received it very gladly, many facts derived from his own lips having been recorded therein, for he, being of so advanced an age, and having so much judgment as well as experience, was well able to afford much information. No long time afterwards, having read the book, Michelagnolo sent Vasari the following sonnet, which he had written, and which, in memory of his affection, I think it well to add in this place:— If with the chisel and the colours, thou Hast made Art equal Nature, now thy hand Hath e’en surpassed her, giving us her beauties Rendered more beautiful. For with sage thought Now hast thou set thyself to worthier toils, And what was wanting still, hast now supplied. In giving life to others; thus depriving Her boast of its last claim to rise above thee. Is there an age whose labours may not hope To reach the highest point? yet by thy word All gain the limit to their toils prescribed. The else extinguished memories thus revived To new and radiant life, by thee, shall now Endure, with thine own fame, throughout all time. Vasari, having soon afterwards returned to Florence, remitted the charge of laying the foundations at San Pietro-aMontorio to Michelagnolo; but to Messer Bindo Altoviti, then Consul of the Florentines and a great friend of Vasari, the latter remarked that it would have been much better if the Tomb of Pope Julius had been erected in the Church of San Giovanni de’ Fiorentini, Giorgio added, that he had already spoken on the subject to Michelagnolo, who wished to promote the change, seeing that this would be a good opportunity for completing that Church. The proposal pleased Messer Bindo, who, being admitted to much familiarity by