Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/79

Rh flowing and easy, they are also very judiciously arranged; of equal merit is the second figure, that of the Pharisee namely, the hand is placed on the beard, which it presses back in a certain manner, and the face wears an expression of infinite gravity, while it likewise gives evidence of much astonishment at the words of the preacher.

While Rustici was occupied with this work, he became weary of having to make daily application for money to the Syndics of the Guild above-named, or to their deputies, and the rather as the same persons were not always in attendance, and are besides, for the most part, men who have but little regard for distinguished ability, and do not care greatly for the merits of the work before them. Giovan-Francesco became weary of this I say, and to finish the undertaking, he sold an estate belonging to his patrimonial inheritance, and which he possessed at San Marco Vecchio, a place situate at a short distance from Florence. Yet notwithstanding all these labours, expenses, and cares, he was but very poorly rewarded by those Syndics and by his fellow citizens. One of the Ridolfi, who was a chief of that Guild, more particularly showed himself adverse to the interests of Rustici, moved by some private pique, or perhaps offended because the latter did not pay him honour enough; perhaps also, because Giovanni would not let him see the figures in progress whenever he desired to do so. Be this as it may, Ridolfi was always found to be the opponent of Rustici in every question arising between him and the Syndics.

That which ought to have redounded to the honour of Giovan-Francesco was consequently turned to his injury, seeing that, whereas he had merited a double degree of reverence, as a distinguished artist no less than a noble and citizen of eminent station, his having become a sculptor deprived him, with the ignorant and foolish, of that honour and respect which were due to his birth. When his work had to be estimated, therefore, and when GiovanFrancesco on his part had chosen Michelagnolo Buonarroti for that office, the Court of Syndics, by the persuasion of Ridolfi, selected Baccio d’Agnolo to perform the same duty on their part. Of this, Rustici complained bitterly, remarking to the Syndics, in full council assembled, that the per-