Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/462

450 Emperor and other great personages; the rest were kept by the Duke for himself. Among other works he copied a small Head of Christ, from one of great antiquity in the Duke’s possession, which formerly belonged to Godfrey King of Jerusalem, and which is said to be a more exact resemblance of the Saviour than any other in existence. Don Giulio also executed for His Excellency a Crucifix with the Mary Magdalen at the foot thereof, which is a work of infinite beauty. The same artist likewise painted a small picture, the subject a Pieta, of which we have the design in our book, with another, also by the hand of Don Clovio, representing Our Lady dressed in the Hebrew manner, and holding the Infant Christ in her arms; she has a choir of Angels around her, with several nude figures, representing Souls in the act of recommending themselves to her mercy. But to return to the Signor Duke: that Prince has ever greatly admired the abilities of Don Clovio, and taken pains to procure his works; nay, had it not been for the respect due to Cardinal Farnese, he would not have permitted our artist to leave him at the time when he remained, as we have said, during some months in his service at Florence.

Besides the works above-mentioned, Duke Cosimo has a small picture by Don Clovio, representing Ganymede borne to Heaven by Jupiter turned into an Eagle: this was copied from that designed by Michelagnolo, and which is now in the possession of Tommaso de’ Cavalieri, as we have said elsewhere. The Duke has also in his writing-room a figure of San Giovanni Battista, seated on a stone, with some Portraits by the same artist, which are truly admirable. Don Clovio formerly painted a Pieta, with the Maries and other figures, for the Marchioness of Pescara, with one exactly similar for Cardinal Farnese, who sent it to the Empress, sister of King Philip, and wife to the Emperor Maximilian.

Another work, executed with infinite care, and representing St. George killing the Dragon, with an exquisite Landscape, was sent by Farnese to his Imperial Majesty; but this was surpassed in design by a larger picture, which Don Giulio painted for a Spanish gentleman; the subject is the Emperor