Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/409

Rh on the other the Empress, clothed in linen garments; they are kneeling in prayer with folded hands, and are surrounded by numerous Saints. The composition of this work was in accordance with the orders of his Majesty, who was then giving evidence of his intention to retire, as he afterwards did, from mundane atfairs, to the end that he might die in the manner of a true Christian, fearing God and labouring for his own salvation. This picture the Empeior told Titian that he would have taken to the Monastery, where his Majesty afterwards finished the course of his life; and being a work of extraordinary merit, it is expected that engravings thereof will be published in a short time.

The same master painted for the Queen Maria a figure of Prometheus bound to the Mount Caucasus and torn by the Eagle of Jupiter; with one of Sisyphus in Hell loaded with his stone, and Tityus devoured by the Vulture. All these were transmitted to her Majesty, with a figure of Tantalus of the same shze, that of life namely, on cloth and in oil. He painted a Venus and Adonis also, which are admirable; the Goddess is fainting as she sees herself abandoned by ' Adonis, who is accompanied by dogs, which are singularly natural. In a picture of the same size, Titian painted Andromeda bound to the Pock with Perseus delivering her from the Sea-monster; a more beautiful painting than this could not be imagined; and the same may be said of another, Diana Bathing with her Nymphs, and turning Actseon into a Stag. He painted a figure of Europa likewise, borne over the Sea by the Bulk These pictures are in the possession of the Catholic King, and are held in high esteem for the animation imparted to them by the master, whose colours have made them almost alive.

It is nevertheless true that his mode of proceeding in these last-mentioned works is very different from that pursued