Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/541

Rh of the stories are from the Life of Pope Paul IIL; and in each of them is the Portrait of that Pontiff, taken from the life. In the first, wherein are represented the Expeditions, so to speak, of the Roman Court, on the Tiber, are seen Embassies from various nations, some sent to beg favours, others to offer tribute to the Popes; and here there are numerous Portraits from nature. In large niches placed over the doors, which are on each side of the Story, are two figures of great size, the one representing Eloquence, the other Justice; over the first are two figures of Victory, sustaining a bust of Julius Caesar; and over the second, two similar figures bearing that of Alexander the Great. Over all are the Arms of the Pope, the supporters of the Escutcheon being Liberality and open-handed Generosity.

On the principal façade is the same Pontiff rewarding merit, by the bestowal of marriage portions, knighthoods, bishoprics, and cardinals’ hats. Among those who receive the same are Sadoleto, Polo, Bembo, Contarino, Giovio, Buonarroto, and other men of distinction, all portraits from the life: there is also a figure which represents Sovereign Favour, and is placed within a large niche; she holds a Cornucopia filled with various dignities, all which she pours out upon the earth: the figures of Victory above her head support the bust of the Emperor Trajan. There is also Envy, eating Vipers, and appearing to burst with their venom.

In the other story is Pope Paul, intent on various works of architecture, more especially on that of San Pietro at the Vatican; and therefore we have kneeling before His Holiness the figures of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, who are laying before him the plan of that church, and receiving his commands for the completion of the work. Here there is, moreover, the figure of Resolution, which, opening its breast, displays the heart within. Promptitude is likewise seen, accompanied by Riches; and in the niche is Abundance with Victories, holding a bust of the Emperor Vespasian. In a niche above this, and which divides one story from the other, is a figure representing the Christian Religion, having also two Victories over her head, who bear the bust of Numa Pompilius. The Escutcheon of xirms surmounting this stoly is that of the Cardinal San Giorgio, by whom the Palace was built.

In the Story opposite to that of the Expeditions of the