Giorgio Vasari

“ For who does not feel infinite contentment, to say nothing of the beauty and ornament resulting from them, at sight of the effigies of his ancestors, more particularly if they have been distinguished for their deeds in war or by their works in peace, or have rendered themselves illustrious by learning or other signal qualities and remarkable virtues, or by the part they have taken in the government of the state? ”

“ In this picture also, Gentile Bellini depicted the Piazza and Façade of St. Mark’s, with the sea, but in a different manner from that of the preceding story, and with so vast a multitude of figures, that it is really a marvel. In another compartment the same Pope is again represented standing in full pontificals, and conferring his benediction on the Doge, who is armed, and, having a large train of soldiers, would seem to be departing for the field: in long procession behind the Doge is an immense number of nobles, and the palace of San Marco is seen in perspective. ”

“ Gentile, therefore, representing this story, delineated in perspective several houses situated along the Grand Canal, showing the Ponte della Paglia, and the Piazza di San Marco, with a long procession of men and women who are walking behind the clergy. Many persons have cast themselves into the water, others are in the act of throwing themselves in, some are half-immersed, and others are in other positions, but all in very fine attitudes: finally, the artist depicted the Guardian above-named, who recovers the cross. ”

“ Having caused Gentile, therefore, to make liimself ready, they conducted him in their own galleys, with all safety, to Constantinople, where, being presented to the Grand Turk by the lieutenant of the Signori a, he was received by him very willingly, and, being something new, was much caressed, more especially when he had presented Sultan Mahomet with a most charming picture, which that monarch admired exceedingly, scarcely finding it possible to conceive that a mere mortal should have in himself so much of the divinity as to he capable of reproducing natural objects so faithfully. ”

“ This work is one of the best executed by the hand of Gentile, although the picture wherein there is the representation of a sea-fight displays more invention; for in the last there are numerous galleys engaged in battle, with an almost incredible number of men, and, in fine, because the artist has here proved that he was no less accurately acquainted with maritime warfare than with the details of painting. ”

“ But from that time forward, finding himself alone, and without a competitor who could equal him in that city, his fame and credit constantly increased, and he attained to such eminence as to be reputed the first in his profession: and the renown thus acquired was not only maintained in his house, but was much enhanced by the circumstance that he had two sons, both decidedly inclined to the art, and each possessed of good ability and fine genius. ”

“ Before the Pope, who is seated and surrounded by many senators, is Otho kneeling and plighting his faith by an oath. In the next compartment Vivarino represented Otho crowned in the presence of his father, who receives him joyfully; and in this picture are buildings in perspective very finely painted; Barbarossa is seated, and his son, who kneels before him, holds his hand: Otho is accompanied by many Venetian nobles, and among these figures are portraits from the life, so well depicted as to prove that this master copied nature very faithfully. ”

“ Waagen mentions a picture, now in the Berlin Gallery, in which are the portraits of Gentile Bellini and of Giovanni his brother, painted by the former. Seethe Catalogue (German) for 1841. ↑ An Italian commentator asks, “wherefore do artists not take the precaution of writing on the portraits they execute the name of the person represented, since likenesses, however striking their merit as works of art, lose all their moral value, when the spectator does not know whom they present.” ”

“ It is the custom, then, in Venice to paint very much on canvas, either because that material does not so readily split, is not liable to clefts, and does not suffer from the worm, or because pictures on canvas may be made of such size as is desired, and can also be conveniently sent whithersoever the owner pleases, with little cost and trouble. Be the cause what it may, the first works of Jacopo and Gentile were on cloth, as we have said ”

“ John. ↑ See Lanzi, English Edition, vol. iii. p. 27. See also Baruffaldi, Vite de' Pittori Ferraresi. ↑ That Vasari has not here made mention of Titian, is to be attributed to haste or forgetfulness. In the life of that artist he does not omit to record that he also was among the disciples of Giovanni Bellino. —Ed. Flor. 1849. ↑ One of the last of Giovanni’s labours was a Bacchanal, executed for the Duke Alfonzo, of Ferrara; this he left unfinished, and it was completed by Titian, in whose life mention is made of it by Vasari. ”