, as was
seen in the time of the above-named Duke, by whom he was passing well
rewarded, as he deserved, for his rare parts and good qualities.

His son, Guidobaldo, who reigns at the present day, having then
succeeded him as Duke, caused a beginning to be made by the
above-named Genga with the Church of S. Giovan Battista at Pesaro,
which, having been carried out according to the model of Girolamo by
his son Bartolommeo, is of very beautiful architecture in every part,
for he imitated the antique considerably, and made it in such a manner
that it is the most beautiful temple that there is in those parts, as
the work itself clearly demonstrates, being able to challenge
comparison with the most famous buildings in Rome. After his designs
and directions, likewise, there was executed in S. Chiara at Urbino by
the Florentine sculptor Bartolommeo Ammanati, who was then very young,
the tomb of Duke Francesco Maria, which, for a simple work of little
cost, proved to be very beautiful. In like manner, the Venetian
painter Battista Franco was summoned by him to paint the great chapel
of the Duomo at Urbino, at the time when there was being made after
his design the ornament of the organ of that Duomo, which is not yet
finished.

Shortly afterwards, the Cardinal of Mantua having written to the Duke
that he should send him Girolamo, because he wished to restore the
Vescovado of that city, Girolamo went thither and fitted it up very
well with lights and with all that the above-named lord desired.
Besides this, the Cardinal, wishing to make a beautiful facade for the
Duomo, caused him to prepare a model for it, which was executed by him
in such a manner, that it may be said that it surpassed all the
architectural works of his time, for the reason that in it may be seen
grandeur, proportion, grace, and great beauty of composition.

Having then returned from Mantua, now an old man, he went to live at a
villa of his own, called Le Valle, in the territory of Urbino, in
order to rest and enjoy the fruits of his labours; in which place, not
wishing to remain idle, he executed in chalk a Conversion of S. Paul
with figures and horses of considerable size and in very beautiful
attitudes, which was finished by him with such patience and diligence,
that no greater could be either described or seen, as is evident from
the work itself, now in the possession of his heirs, by whom it is
treasured as a very dear and precious thing. There, while