Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/392

380 portraits from the life, in his native city and its neighbourhood. Among other productions by Longhi, are two sufficiently graceful little pictures, which the reverend Don Antonio da Pisa, then Abbot of the Monastery, caused him to paint, no long time since, for the monks of Classi, many other works have also been executed by this painter. It is certain that Luca Longhi, being studious, diligent, and of admirable judgment as he is, would have become an excellent master had he not always confined himself to Eavenna, where he still remains with his family: his works are accomplished with much patience and study; and of this I can bear testimony, since I know the progress which he made during the time of my stay in Ravenna, both in the practice and comprehension of Art. Nor will I omit to mention that a daughter of his, called Barbara, still but a little child, draws very well, and has begun to paint also in a very good manner and with much grace.

Livio Agresti of Forlìi, was at one time the rival of Luca, but after he had painted certain Stories in fresco in the Church of the Spirito Santo, and executed some few other works, he left Ravenna and repaired to Rome. Here he studied design with great zeal and acquired considerable facility, as may be seen in certain fa9ades, and other works in fresco, executed by Livio at that time. The first works painted by this artist at Narni are also tolerably good ones; and in the Church of the Spirito he has produced frescoes and Stories in one of the Chapels, which are executed with much care and patience, wherefore they are justly praised by every one. This last work procured Livio, as is said, the commission for painting one of those smaller stories, which are over the doors in the Hall of Kings in the Palace of the Vatican; and here he acquitted himself in such sort that his work may bear comparison with any to be seen there. The same artist painted seven pictures on cloth of silver, to serve as hangings for a chamber for the Cardinal of Augusta, by whom they were sent to Spain as a present for King Philip, and in that country they are considered very beautiful.

Another picture on cloth of silver was painted by Agresti for the Church of the Chietini in Forli, where it now is. At length, having acquired good and bold design, become a