Giorgio Vasari

“ The Duke did not forbid either of those artists to prepare a model, nor did he deprive them of the hope that he who should acquit himself the best should be the one chosen to execute the work. He knew that Baccio was superior as regarded ability, knowledge, judgment, and the power of design, to any sculptor in his service, provided only that he would labour industriously, and was not displeased with this competition, which he hoped might incite Bandinelli to acquit himself better than he had done, and to produce such a work as he was well able to perform, if he did his best. ”

“ Thus, while conversing on subjects connected with art, or speaking of their own works, each would point out the defects of the other and would frequently utter very offensive remarks to each other in the presence of the Duke, in all which his Excellency found no little amusement, since there was of a truth much spirit and acuteness in these bitter discourses, insomuch that Duke Cosimo gave them free scope and permission to say whatever they pleased to each other in his presence, but with the understanding that neither was to recur to these quarrels when they had gone forth. ”

“ But considering the Hercules of Bandinelli entirely apart from other works, and judging it by itself, we cannot do otherwise than commend it very highly, and all the more since it has been seen that many sculptors have subsequently attempted the execution of large statues, but none of them have attained to the point reached by Baccio. [31] Nay, had that artist received from nature an amount of grace and facility equal to the labour and pains which he was ever ready to impose on himself, he would certainly have been entirely perfect in the art of the sculptor. ”

“ Baccio prepared the model, and commenced the work, but being a man who could not endure any equal or even comparison, and who was very sparing in praise of the works of others, he began to censure and use disparaging terms concerning the labours of Andrea, when speaking of them to the other sculptors who were then at Loretto, declaring that the master had no power of design, but affirming the same thing of the other artists also, insomuch that after a short time he caused himself to be regarded with ill-will by all of them. ”

“ To this Michelagnolo there was born in the year 1487, a son, whom he named Bartolommeo, but who afterwards, according to the custom of Florence, was by every one called Baccio. Desiring that this youth should be the heir of his art, as well as of his possessions, the father took him into his workshop, in company with other young people, who were learning the art of design, as it was then customary to do, seeing that he who was not a good designer and well-acquainted with works in relief, was at that time held to be no finished goldsmith. ”

“ Baccio well knew that the public display of an unfinished performance tends to injure the reputation of the artist in the judgment of all those who do not belong to his vocation or do not understand the subject, and have not seen the models thereof; he proceeded to complete the altar therefore, by the addition of a figure representing the Almighty Father, for which a most beautiful piece of marble had been brought from Carrara. ”

“ The figure of Hercules, bent down, is seen with the head brought near his foe; grinding his teeth, which are firmly pressed together, he raises the right arm, and fiercely dealing Cacus a second blow, is about to dash his head to pieces with his club.
When Michelagnolo heard that the marble had been given to Baccio, he felt very much displeased; but whatever were the efforts he made for the purpose, he could not prevail on the Pope to recall his mandate, his Holiness being well satisfied moreover with the model of Bandinelli, and was therefore the less to be moved from his purpose. ”

“ While Baccio was thus residing in the palace, his Holiness bethought him of a vow which he had made, while shut up in the castle of Sant’ Angelo, and resolved that it should now be fulfilled. This vow was to place a group of seven large figures in bronze, each six braccia high, on the summit of the round marble tower which is opposite to the bridge of the castle, the whole six represented as cast at the feet of an angel, whom the Pontiff proposed to have erected in the centre of the tower on a column of vari-coloured marble, the figure to be in bronze, with a sword in its hand. ”

“ He had at the same time prepared a cartoon for a picture representing the Deposition of Christ from the Cross; the Saviour is supported in the arms of Nicodemus, the Virgin Mother stands weeping beside him, and near that group is an Angel, bearing in his hands the crown of thorns with the nails. This Bandinelli at once began to paint; he finished it with great promptitude, and, having done so, instantly placed it to be shown in the shop of the goldsmith Giovanni di Goro, who was a friend of his, desiring to know the opinions of people respecting it, but more particularly that of Michelagnolo. ”

“ Now while Baccio was busied with this work, he took up his abode in the apartments of the Medici palace, and to give himself the appearance of an extraordinary devotion to the Pope, he wrote every week to his Holiness; but not confining himself to details respecting art, he entered into particulars with relation to the citizens and the acts of those who administered the government, officiously supplying intelligence to the injury of many, and thereby awakening a more bitter hatred against himself than had even previously existed ”

“ All who labour for honour, but obtain censure only, must needs, as we cannot but suppose, be secretly afflicted at heart, however unjust or unworthy may be the blame thus incurred, they cannot but feel aggrieved by the same. One consolation Baccio had in his regret, the possession of a little estate, namely, which the Pope caused to be presented to him over and above the stipulated payment for his work; and this gift was doubly acceptable to the sculptor, first, because the revenue thereof was useful to him ”

“ Bandinelli had at this time no undertaking in hand, and Domenico suggested to the Pope that, by the emulation of two men so much distinguished, his Holiness would be more diligently, more rapidly, and more effectually served, than by entrusting all to one, since the rivalry and competition between them would stimulate them both to do their utmost for the work. This advice of Domenico pleased the Pontiff, who proceeded to act in accordance therewith, and Baccio obtained the marble. ”

“ After Baccio’s death the contest respecting the block of marble became more eager than ever. Benvenuto being constantly about the Duke respecting it, and considering himself to have the best right to the same, in virtue of a small wax model which he had prepared, and for which he desired that the Duke would give him the block; while Ammannato, as being a sculptor of marbles, and more extensively experienced in such works than Benvenuto, thought that for many reasons the work did more justly appertain to himself. ”

“ This last-mentioned artist being attached to the service of the Signor Don Francesco, Prince of Florence, requested permission from his Excellency to make the model of a colossal figure, of size equal to the dimensions of the marble in question. Not that Maestro Giovan Bologna had any expectation of being permitted to execute the statue in marble, but he hoped at least to have an opportunity for the display of his skill, and for showing what he could do; having received the permission of the prince, therefore, he also then commenced his model, which he prepared in the convent of Santa Croce. ”

“ These things coming to the ears of Andrea, he, like the wise man that he was, reproved him, at first with gentle words, remarking that works are executed with the hand and not with the tongue, and that good drawing is not to be inferred from sketches on paper, when the calling of the sculptor is in question, but is to be proved by the success of the whole work when it is seen completed in stone; advising moreover that Baccio should speak of him for the future in different terms. ”

“ It is true that much labour and pains must have been given before the work could have been arranged as Baccio and Giuliano have placed it, and as it now stands; nor is it to be denied that they merit commendation for those portions of the masonry which are executed with the Calandrino, and which recede at a sharp angle, on account of the wall being awry, and because of the consequent irregularity in the direction of the Hall. Nothing can be done more perfectly indeed, as regards the masonry, which is admirably put together, and shows great care. ”

“ Baccio was indeed already giving many proofs that he had more love for sculpture than for the work of the goldsmith. When he went to Pinzirimonte, [6] a villa purchased by his father, for example, he would stand long before the labourers who were working without their upper clothing, and would draw the figures of these men with great zeal and delight, proceeding in like manner with respect to the cattle on the farm, which he would copy with equal care. ”

“ The group being finally given to public view, all who were capable of judging, and who took into account all the difficulties of the work, have agreed in considering it to display very careful study and to exhibit exact proportion in the various parts; the figure of Cacus more particularly, has ever been held to be admirable in its attitude.
It must also be remembered that the neighbourhood of Michelagnolo's David, deprives the Hercules of Baccio of much praise which it might otherwise have received, being close beside it, and without doubt the most beautiful colossal statue ever sculptured ”

“ And without doubt in this man the desire for honour and excellence in his art, and for the power of working effectually therein, does well merit high commendation; impelled by which desire, and by a firm will, with which it was manifest indeed that he had been endowed by nature from his earliest youth, even more largely than with aptitude or readiness in art,— impelled by this, I say, Baccio spared himself no labour, nor did he permit himself any relaxation: always intent on acquiring, or occupied in manual operations, he was never to be found idle ”

“ This gained him a great reputation, and gave occasion to much intercourse between the goldsmith and the sons of the Magnificent Lorenzo, by whom his productions were ever highly valued, while their favour and friendship brought him great gains, by which, and by the many labours which he executed for all the city and the whole state, Michelagnolo became a rich man, as well as one of high repute among those of his art. ”

“ Learning this event, Baccio suffered no time to intervene, but hastened instantly to Rome, where he first repaired to Madonna Lucrezia Salviati de’ Medici, the sister of Pope Leo, whom he made potent efforts to convince that none could do greater honour to the remains of those illustrious Pontiffs than would be rendered by his own ability, declaring at the same time that the sculptor Alfonso was destitute of powers in drawing, had no practice, and possessed no judgment in the qualities of marbles ”

“ BACCIO BANDINELLI, SCULPTOR OF FLORENCE.
[born 1487—died 1559.]
At the time when the Arts were enjoying much prosperity in Florence, by virtue of the favour and assistance accorded to them by the Magnificent Lorenzo de’ Medici the Elder, [1] there lived in the city a goldsmith, named Michelagnolo di Yiviano of Gaiuole. [2] This man worked admirably well with his chisels, prepared intagli, and executed enamels and nielli; he was, in short, an able master in all the works proper to his vocation. ”

“ But as it frequently happens that the human thought promises itself certain things, whereof the contrary has been determined by the wisdom of G-od, so did it happen now, for the war against Florence breaking out, Michelagnolo had to consider other matters besides polishing marbles, and was ultimately compelled to withdraw himself from the city; but when the war being at an end, peace was concluded, Pope Clement caused Michelagnolo to return to Florence, with orders to complete the Sacristy of San Lorenzo ”

“ Baccio instantly obeyed and Solosmeo entered, when, being presented with wine, and beginning to drink, the conversation was immediately turned on the monuments, and on the fact that the execution thereof had been confided to Bandinelli; Solosmeo instantly reproached the Cardinals for the bad choice they had made, following up his remarks with much evil speaking against Baccio whom he accused of ignorance in his art, as well as of arrogance and avarice, entering meanwhile into very minute particulars in support of his assertions. ”

“ This picture Pope Clement wished to see executed on one side of the above-named chapel, proposing that the Martyrdom of San Lorenzo, who was condemned by Decius to the death of roasting on a gridiron, should occupy the opposite wall of the same chapel.
The Martyrdom of San Lorenzo was designed by Baccio with extraordinary care and delicacy, the various figures, clothed and nude, being delineated with much judgment, and the various attitudes of the bodies and limbs proving considerable knowledge of art. ”

“ A gentlewoman who was examining these statues, being asked by certain nobles of her company, what she thought of the same, replied that she could not judge of the Adam; and, when further pressed to say what she thought of the Eve, ultimately answered, that there seemed to her to be two good things in the statue, and which merited commendation, namely, that it was white and firm; thus ingeniously censuring the artist, while she seemed to be giving him praise ”

“ The building has likewise been adorned with friezes in stucco, amply decorated with figures both large and small, as also with devices and other ornaments of various kinds: while beneath the niches, and in the compartments of the ceilings, are numerous and beautiful inventions of carved work and stuccoes: all which has enriched the whole work in such a manner that its appearance is entirely changed, and it has gained considerably, both in grace and beauty. ”

“ After the departure of the Medici from Florence, and while the popular government was in power, Michelagnolo was occupied with the fortifications of the city, and he was then shown the piece of marble which Baccio had diminished for his Hercules and Cacus, together with the model made by Bandinelli, and this was done with the intention that, if this block of marble were not found to have been too much lessened, Michelagnolo should take it for the execution of two figures of his own invention. ”

“ This contention, or rather this enmity, caused Baccio to proceed all the more zealously with his figure of the Almighty Father, but the Duke did not show him so much favour as formerly, a circumstance for which Baccio sought to console himself by paying homage to, and devoting himself to the service of, the Duchess. ”