d scenes to be painted from the life of Pope Sixtus, from his birth
up to the completion of that building--nay, up to the end of his life.
He also made the bridge that is called the Ponte Sisto, from the name of
that Pontiff; this was held to be an excellent work, because Baccio
built it with such stout piers and with the weight so well distributed,
that it is very strong and very well founded. In the year of the Jubilee
of 1475, likewise, he built many new little churches throughout Rome,
which are recognized by the arms of Pope Sixtus--in particular, S.
Apostolo, S. Pietro in Vincula, and S. Sisto. For Cardinal Guglielmo,
Bishop of Ostia, he made the model of his church, with that of the
facade and of the steps, in the manner wherein they are seen to-day.
Many declare that the design of the Church of S. Pietro a Montorio in
Rome was by the hand of Baccio, but I cannot say with truth that I have
found this to be so. This church was built at the expense of the King
of Portugal, almost at the same time that the Spanish nation had the
Church of S. Jacopo erected in Rome.

The talent of Baccio was so highly esteemed by that Pontiff, that he
would never have done anything in the way of building without his
counsel; wherefore, in the year 1480, hearing that the Church and
Convent of S. Francesco at Assisi were threatening to fall, he sent
Baccio thither; and he, making a very stout counterfort on the side of
the plain, rendered that marvellous fabric perfectly secure. On one
buttress he placed a statue of that Pontiff, who, not many years before,
had caused to be made in that same convent many apartments, in the form
of chambers and halls, which are known not only by their magnificence
but also by the arms of the said Pope that are seen in them. In the
courtyard there is one coat of arms much larger than the others, with
some Latin verses in praise of Pope Sixtus IV, who gave many proofs that
he held that holy place in great veneration.

ANDREA DAL CASTAGNO OF MUGELLO AND DOMENICO VINIZIANO

LIVES OF ANDREA DAL CASTAGNO OF MUGELLO AND DOMENICO VINIZIANO

[_ANDREA DEGL' IMPICCATI AND DOMENICO DA VENEZIA_]

PAINTERS

How reprehensible is the vice of envy, which should never exist in
anyone, when found in a man of excellence, and how wicked and horrible a
thing it is to seek under the guise of a feigned friendship to
extinguish not only the fame and glory of another but his very life, I
truly believe it to be