S._]

There had recently returned from France Cardinal Bernardo Divizio of
Bibbiena, who, perceiving that King Francis possessed not a single
work in marble, whether ancient or modern, although he much delighted
in such things, had promised his Majesty that he would prevail on the
Pope to send him some beautiful work. After this Cardinal there came
to the Pope two Ambassadors from King Francis, and they, having seen
the statues of the Belvedere, lavished all the praise at their command
on the Laocoon. Cardinals de' Medici and Bibbiena, who were with them,
asked them whether the King would be glad to have a work of that kind;
and they answered that it would be too great a gift. Then the Cardinal
said to them: "There shall be sent to his Majesty either this one or
one so like it that there shall be no difference." And, having
resolved to have another made in imitation of it, he remembered
Baccio, whom he sent for and asked whether he had the courage to make
a Laocoon equal to the original. Baccio answered that he was confident
that he could make one not merely equal to it, but even surpassing it
in perfection. The Cardinal then resolved that the work should be
begun, and Baccio, while waiting for the marble to come, made one in
wax, which was much extolled, and also executed a cartoon in
lead-white and charcoal of the same size as the one in marble. After
the marble had come and Baccio had caused an enclosure with a roof for
working in to be erected for himself in the Belvedere, he made a
beginning with one of the boys of the Laocoon, the larger one, and
executed this in such a manner that the Pope and all those who were
good judges were satisfied, because between his work and the ancient
there was scarcely any difference to be seen. But after setting his
hand to the other boy and to the statue of the father, which is in the
middle, he had not gone far when the Pope died. Adrian VI being then
elected, he returned with the Cardinal to Florence, where he occupied
himself with his studies in design. After the death of Adrian and
the election of Clement VII, Baccio went post-haste to Rome in order
to be in time for his coronation, for which he made statues and scenes
in half-relief by order of his Holiness. Then, having been provided by
the Pope with rooms and an allowance, he returned to his Laocoon, a
work which was executed by him in the space of two years with the
greatest excellence that he ever achieved. He also restore