Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/464

452 But be this as it may, we are certain that the works of this master are not in public places where they may be seen by all, as are for the most part the paintings, sculptures, and buildings of others who practise these our arts. Now Don Giulio, although being old he does not study or do anything, but seek the salvation of his soul by good works, and a life spent wholly apart from mundane affairs, being in all respects an old man, and living as such, does yet continue to work occasionally, amidst the repose and comfort by which he is surrounded in the Farnese Palace, where he most willingly and courteously shows his productions to those who visit him for the purpose of seeing the same, as they would any other of the wonders of Rome.

There is now living in Rome, and certainly a very able artist in his vocation, the painter Girolamo Sicciolante of Sermoneta, of whom, although we have already named him in the Life of Perino del Vaga, whose disciple he was, and whom he assisted greatly in his works at the Castel Sant’ Angelo and elsewhere, it will yet be well to say here also what his merits so amply deserve. Among the first works of Girolamo was a picture twelve palms high, which he painted in oil at the age of twenty, and which is now in the Abbey of San Stefano near Sermoneta, his native place. In this work are figures of SS. Pietro, Stefano, and John the Baptist, with several Children. After this performance, which was much extolled, he painted a picture, also in oil, for the Church of Sant’ Apostolo in Rome, a Dead Christ namely, with the Madonna, San Giovanni, the Magdalen, and other figures, all executed with exceeding care.