Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/490

478 clothed with flesh; here this young artist has shown the zeal with which he laboured to acquire the anatomy of the human form, and in this, his first important work, as well as in the rilievi and paintings executed for the nuptials of his Highness, he has given an excellent specimen of his powers and awakened many hopes. Allori is thus continually labouring to render himself a good painter, and in the abovenamed as well as in certain smaller works (more especially in a little picture after the manner of a miniature executed for Don Francesco Prince of Florence, which is highly praiseworthy) he is studying to obtain facility and to form a fine manner.

Another youth called Griovanni Butteri, also the disciple of our academician Bronzino, has likewise displayed much readiness and facility; in that which he did, for example, when the obsequies of Michelagnolo were solemnized, and at the arrival in Florence of her most Serene Majesty Joanna, as well as in other works of minor importance.

The painter Cristofano dell’ Altissimo was also the disciple, first of Pontormo and afterwards of Bronzino; after having in his youth depicted numerous works in oil and some portraits, Cristofano was sent by Duke Cosimo to copy the many portraits of illustrious personages which are in the Gallery of Monsignore Giovio, and which that distinguished person, one of the most learned men of our own day, has collected. The Duke has besides many other works executed for him by the cares of Giorgio Vasari. The list of all these portraits shall be added to the index of this work, but here we will not speak more of them than to say that Cristofano has acquitted himself very zealously of his commission, having already copied more than two hundred and eighty of those pictures for the Guardaroba of the