Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/578

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This brought infinite credit to Vasari, insomuch that, an inscription being demanded for the Hall from Yincenzio Borghini, the latter composed the following, of which the conceit was suggested to him, it is said, by our Giorgio himself: “In thirty-nine years, which is three times thirteen, under six popes and by twelve excellent painters, this work had been continued, but not completed; wherefore Gregory XIII., Pontifex Maximus, commencing in the first year of his Pontificate, has brought it to conclusion in thirteen months, by the hand of Giorgio Vasari, the thirteenth painter.” Very greatly did Vasari rejoice in the completion of this work, and the rather as his friends and benefactors, the principal personages of the papal Court, were never weary of congratulating themselves on the results obtained by his means; and had he possessed his earlier vigour and powers of labour, these nobles would have been only too glad to supply him with opportunities for the exercise of the same.

In the midst of all this triumph our beloved Giorgio was furthermore to be gratified by an invitation from Philip of Spain, who, by the mouth of Marcantonio Colonna, had despatched his request that Vasari would repair to the Spanish Court; but the latter refused, “desiring no higher glory than that already obtained; seeking no increase of riches, and resolving to attempt no new toils: being desirous, in short, of nothing more than the opportunity of reposing himself beneath the shadow of his own magnificent Sovereign.” He returned to Florence accordingly, and resumed his labours at the Cupola, the Pontiff expressing infinite grief at his departure, and consoling himself principally with the hope that Duke Cosirao would send the artist to him once more in the winter of 1574. But in the month of June of that year, worn out by the pains and fatigues of a life unusually active and laborious, the excellent master closed his mortal career, crowned with fame and honours, and very sincerely lamented.

Such was the life, and such the works, of Giorgio Vasari. Richly endowed by nature, he was furthermore aided by earnest zeal for the study of his art, and a persistent industry; but there were defects in his artistic education which