Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/360

348 Vincenzio Borghini, they being obliged by their rules to solemnize the obsequies of all their brethren. They had done this most affectionately, and to the satisfaction of every one, in the case of Fra Giovan-Agnolo Montorsoli, who was the first that had died after the creation of the Academy; and it was now fitting and proper that they should resolve on what was to be done for the due honouring of Buonarroto, who had been unanimously elected first Academician and head of them all. To this proposal all replied, that, being obliged, as they were, to the genius of that great man, they desired that nothing should be omitted which could contribute to do him honour, but that everything should be accomplished in the best manner possible. That decided, and to avoid the daily assemblage of so many men, which was very inconvenient to them, as well as for the more effectual arrangement of the preparations, four persons, all of eminent reputation and distinguished in their arts, were chosen to direct the same. These were the painters Agnolo Bronzino and Giorgio Vasari, with the sculptors Benvenuto Cellini and Bartolommeo Ammannato; who were appointed to consult among themselves, and with the Prorector, as to all the arrangements to be made; they being empowered to dispose of everything belonging to the Academy: this charge they undertook the more willingly, as they saw that all the artists, young and old, came forward readily with offers to prepare, each in his several vocation, such pictures and statues as were needed for the ceremony.

It was first resolved that the Prorector and Syndics should lay all before the Duke in the name of the Academy, requesting from his Excellency such countenance and aid as they might require, the first thing to be asked being permission for the solemnization of those obsequies in the Church of San Lorenzo, which belongs to the illustrious house of Medici, and where are the greater part of Michelagnolo’s works in Florence. His Excellency was also requested to permit Messer BenedettoVarchi to pronounce the funeral oration, to the end that the greatness and excellence of Michelagnolo might be suitably set forth in the eloquence of so distinguished a man as was Varchi, but who, being in the particular service of his Excellency, could not undertake that offi.ce without his permission, although they were certain that he