s the said temple, where he was to receive
baptism. The charge of this was given to Tribolo, who, in company with
Tasso, adapting himself to the place, brought it about that the
temple, which in itself is ancient and very beautiful, had the
appearance of a new temple designed very well in the modern manner,
with seats all round it richly adorned with pictures and gilding. In
the centre, beneath the lantern, he made a great vase of carved
woodwork with eight sides, the base of which rested on four steps, and
at the corners of the eight sides were some large caulicoles, which,
springing from the ground, where there were some lions' paws, had at
the top of them certain children of large size in various attitudes,
who were holding with their hands the lip of the vase, and supporting
with their shoulders some festoons which hung like a garland right
round the space in the middle. Besides this, Tribolo had made in the
middle of the vase a pedestal of wood with beautiful things of fancy
round it, upon which, to crown the work, he placed the S. John the
Baptist of marble, three braccia high, by the hand of Donatello, which
was left by him in the house of Gismondo Martelli, as has been related
in the Life of Donatello himself. In short, this temple was adorned
both within and without as well as could possibly be imagined, and the
only part neglected was the principal chapel, where there is an old
tabernacle with those figures in relief that Andrea Pisano made long
ago; by reason of which it appeared that, every other part being made
new, that old chapel spoilt all the grace that the other things
together displayed. Wherefore the Duke, going one day to see those
decorations, after praising everything like a man of judgment, and
recognizing how well Tribolo had adapted himself to the situation and
to every other feature of the place, censured one thing only, but that
severely--that no thought had been given to the principal chapel. And
then he ordained on the spot, like a person of resolute character and
beautiful judgment, that all that part should be covered with a vast
canvas painted in chiaroscuro, with S. John the Baptist baptizing
Christ, and the people standing all around to see them or to be
baptized, some taking off their clothes, and others putting them on
again, in various attitudes; and above this was to be a God the Father
sending down the Holy Spirit, with two fountains in the guise of
river-gods, representing the Jor