Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/468

456 and other important personages of their Courts. He has likewise portrayed the military leaders and great men of the House of Colonna, with those of the Orsini family, as he did the Signor Piero Strozzi, with a large number of bishops, cardinals, and other great prelates and nobles, to say nothing of many literary persons and other men of distinction, all which caused him to acquire a considerable reputation in Rome, as well as great gain; insomuch that he dwells at his ease in that city with all his family.

This artist drew so well even from his childhood, that he gave great hope of future excellence, and would doubtless have fulfilled the same, but he devoted himself, as I have said, to that for which he felt most inclined; yet the works he performs are not unworthy of commendation. There is a Dead Christ by his hand, in the Church of the Popolo for example, with a figure of San Luigi, and certain stories in the chapel of St. Denis, which is in the Church dedicated to the first-mentioned Saint, both of great merit. But the best work that he ever produced were the two stories in fresco, formerly executed, as we have said, for the Company of the Florentines at the Misericordia, with a Deposition from the Cross, wherein are the Thieves, with Our Lady in a swoon, all painted with infinite care and to the great credit of the artist. There are besides, numerous pictures and figures from his hand, dispersed through Rome; with fulllength portraits nude and draped, male and female, many of them very beautiful, because the originals were so. Jacopo has also portrayed many Princesses, Ladies, and Grentlewomen, who have been in Rome at different times; among others I know that he took the Signora Livia Colonna, a lady most noble for illustrious birth, for great ability, and for incomparable beauty.

And this shall suffice for Jacopo del Conte, who is still living and working.

I might here mention the names and works of many among our Tuscan artists, and those from other parts of Italy, but I pass over them lightly; some have ceased to work, from their advanced age; others, still young, are but beginning to make attempts, and will more effectually render themselves known by their works than can be done by writings. But of