Giorgio Vasari

“ Wherefore it appears to me that the lasting gratitude justly due to the ancients, by those whose studies enable them to derive improvement from their labours, is due in no less degree to the labours of Bramante, from those who benefit by them: for if the Greeks invented that architecture which the Romans imitated, Bramante did more than the latter, since he not only imitated, but, imparting to us what they had taught, in a new and ameliorated form, he added unwonted graces and beauties to the art, which we receive ennobled and embellished by his efforts. ”

“ A more exalted genius could not well have been imparted by nature to any artist, than that conferred on Bramante, nor could any master display a more profound acquaintance with the principles of his art, more rigid adherence to the proportions of his works, or a richer variety of invention in their decoration, than may be found in those executed by this architect. ”

“ In the first cloister of San Pietro-a-Montorio, Bramante built a round temple constructed entirely of Travertine, than which nothing more perfectly conceived, more graceful, or more beautiful can be imagined, whether as regards arrangement, proportion, or variety: [28] and if the erection of the entire cloister, which is not finished, had been completed after a design by our architect, which may still be seen, the effect of the whole would have been much more noble than it now is. ”

“ And very fortunate was it, both for him and for us, that Bramante did meet with such a prince (for very rarely does such good fortune happen to men of great genius) , one at whose cost he was furnished with opportunities which rendered it possible for him to display the resources of the power with which he was endowed, and prove to the world that mastery over the difficulties of his art, the evidences of which are so much admired in his works. ”

“ Bramante therefore commenced the construction of the palace of San Biagio, on the Tiber, and there is still a most beautiful temple in the Corinthian order, commenced there on that occasion by this master, but which has never been completed. The remainder of the fabric there in part erected is of rustic work most admirably executed, and it is much to be lamented that so honourable, useful, and magnificent an edifice, acknowledged by the masters of the profession to be the most perfect in that kind ever seen, should have failed to receive its due completion. ”

“ He carried forward the buildings of the Belvedere with excessive rapidity, and such was the zeal with which he seconded the eagerness of the Pope—who would have had the edifice receive birth at a wish, rather than await the slow process of erection— that the men who were labouring at the foundations carried away at night the sand and earth which they had dug out in the presence of Bramante during the day, and he then without further precautions permitted the foundations to be laid. ”

“ Wherefore, those who devote themselves to the examination and admeasurement of architectural antiquities, find no less science and excellence of design in the works of Bramante than in those of the ancients themselves, and among artists well acquainted with the profession which he exercised, this master must ever be accounted one of the most exalted minds by whom our age has been illustrated. ”

“ The Pope, being thus determined to undertake the commencement of that stupendous building, the church of St. Peter; caused one half of the older fabric to be demolished, and set hand to the reconstruction, with the firm resolve that in art, invention, arrangement, and beauty, as well as in extent, magnificence, and splendour of decoration, that edifice should surpass all the buildings ever erected in that city by the whole power of the republic; aided as this was by the genius of the many able masters whose works had illustrated the states of the church. ”

“ In the service of his Holiness Bramante repaired to Bologna, when that city returned to the protection of the church in the year 1504, and in all the war of Mirandola he occupied himself with various labours of great ingenuity, rendering very important assistance on that occasion.
This master prepared numerous designs for the groundplans of buildings, as well as for entire edifices, all of which are truly admirable, as may be judged from certain examples of them which appear in our book: the proportions in every instance are very fine, and the whole design gives evidence of consummate art. ”

“ Among other things is a winding stair constructed between columns, which is graduated in such a manner that it can be ascended on horseback: in this work the Doric order is followed by the Ionic, and the Ionic by the Corinthian, thus rising from one order into the other; the whole is conducted with the utmost judgment and finished with exquisite grace, insomuch that it does him equal honour with whatever other work he may have executed in the same place. ”

“ The invention of this fabric was considered so fine that all declared nothing better had been seen in Rome since the time of the ancients; [22] but, as we have said, of the second corridor the foundations only were completed, nor has the whole been finished even to our own times, although Pius IV. has at length almost brought it to a conclusion.
Bramante likewise erected the cupola which covers theHall of Antiquities, and constructed the range of niches for the statues. ”

“ But of a truth, Ventura well deserves to be had in remembrance, seeing that this work is the most remarkable production of modern times to be found in the city of Pistoja.
↑ Writers are by no means agreed as to the name of this master; the architect Cesariano, who declares himself to have been his scholar, calls him “Donato of Urbino, called Bramante.” According to Mazzucchelli, he subscribed himself, “Bramante Asdrubaldino;” but Pagave, citing authentic documents, calls him “Bramante Lazzari.” — See further Pungileoni, Memorie sulla vita di Donato o Donnino Bramante, &c., Rome, 1836. ”

“ But the place of Bramante’s birth is also a subject of dispute. Baldi, Memorie d'Urbino, affirms that he was born at Fermignano, near Urbino. Cesariano maintains that Urbino itself was his birthplace. Others contend for Monte Asdrubale, and others again for Monte San Pietro, both in the territory of Urbino ”

“ Such was the plan, and after designs prepared in accordance with it, Bramante constructed the first corridor, which proceeds from tlie palace and j-oins the Belvedere on the side towards Rome, [21] the last part of the Loggia which was to ascend the acclivity and occupy the higher level excepted: of the opposite part, that towards the wood namely, he could only lay the foundations, but could not finish it, the death of Julius interrupting the work, and that of the architect himselt also taking place before it had proceeded further. ”

“ His Excellency some time afterwards went himself to Pistoja when he found the arrangements to his satisfaction, [45] and gave orders that the whole should be executed: the buttresses have therefore been all completed, and a commencement has been already made in the vaulting of the cupola, so that the work of Ventura will be brought to a conclusion with improved proportions, increased grandeur, and in a richer manner. ”