Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/373

Rh Story, which was painted in an admirable manner, with figures exhibiting attitudes of infinite animation, by Giovanmaria Butteri, was the Statue of Poetry, the work of Domenico Poggini, a man of much experience in the casting of bronze, the making of dies for coin, and the execution of medals; nor was he less remarkable as a writer of poetry.

Thus it was then that the Catafalque was adorned, and as it diminished at every stage there was a walk entirely around each platform; it was indeed not unlike the Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome; or rather, being of square form, it was more like the Septizonium of Severus; not that near the Capitol, which is commonly called so by an error, but the true one, near the Baths of Antoninus, of which there is a plate in the Nuove Rome.

Up to this point the Catafalque had three stages; the first on which were the River-gods, the second where were the groups, and the third on which stood the single figures. Prom the platform of the last stage there rose a base or socle, one braccio high, much smaller than the platform on which it was placed; and above the ressaults of which were seated the Statues, as before-mentioned, while around it were the words, Sic ars extollitur arte. On the socle was a Pyramid, nine braccia high, on two sides of which, that tOAvards the principal door namely, and that towards the High Altar, were two oval compartments, each bearing the head of Michelagnolo in relief; a Portrait from the life, and admirably executed by Santi Buglioni.

On the summit of the Pyramid was a Ball in due pro portion Avith the same, and supposed to be placed there as representing one that might contain the ashes of him so highly honoured; while above the Ball was a figure, larger than life, Avith the appearance of marble, and representing Pame in the act of commencing her flight to cause the glory and praise of that greatest of masters to resound through the whole Avorld; she being about to place to her lips a trumpet Avhich terminated in three mouths for that purpose.

This figure of Pame Avas by the hand of Zanobi Lastricati, Avho, in addition to all his labours as Proveditor for the Avhole, Avould yet, to his great honour, assist Avith the force of his genius and the labour of his hand also. The height of the Catafalque, from the floor to the head of the Pame, was twenty-eight braccia, as we have said. Besides the Cata-