Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/575

Rh apartments of His Holiness, and wherein.is the Descent of the Eallen Angels, was commenced in December, 1570; and in January, 1571, Vasari had already completed the designs for all the three Chapels, as well as nearly painted three pictures. On the 10th of February he wrote to the Prince, Francesco de’ Medici, informing him that he had brought to conclusion fifty-six pieces of the Cartoons for the three Chapels, and had sketched twelve large Cartoons for that of San Michele, with no other assistance than that of Sandro di Baldassare; having been impelled to this excess of haste by his wish to return to the Hall of the Palace in Florence, where he hoped to recommence his labours in the month of July then following.

One of the three Chapels above-named, that dedicated to San Pietro Martire namely, was thrown open to public view on the 30th of April in that year (1571); and with all these works on his hands, the Pope was still daily committing some new one to the care of the master; now it was to superintend the buildings in San Pietro; now to conduct the waters of the Acqua Vergine, from Salona to Rome; anon, to repair the Church of San Giovanni Laterano, or to execute other undertakings of similar character.

From May to December of 1571, we have no records, but Vasari may be presumed to have returned to Florence before the month of July, as his letters prove that he much wished to do; since we find that the paintings of the Great Hall, so frequently alluded to, were given to public view on the 5th of January, ]572.

But the master did not long remain in Florence, Pope Pius V. having again requested Duke Cosimo to permit him to return to Rome; and among other works he then executed a picture of San Girolamo in the Desert. But not all the labours here pressed on his attention by the Pope could divert his thoughts from a great undertaking, entrusted to