confidence Pierre Chambiges as the architect. Charles Normand
after an exhaustive examination of documents, declares that the
Italian master's design was followed in the south court, but that
after his death in 1549 the design was ordered to be revised and the
great facade was erected in a style wholly different from the original
plan. This eminent authority inclines to the belief that the new
design was due to Du Cerceau. Certain it is that French masters were
associated with Domenico, for we know that on the 19th June 1534, a
rescript came from the city fathers to the masters Pierre Chambiges,
Jacques Arasse, Jehan Aesselin, Loys Caquelin and Dominique de
Cortona, reminding them that it would be more seemly to push the works
forward and keep an eye on the workmen instead of going away to dine
together.]

[Footnote 104: "Ah! me, how thou art changed! See, thou art neither
two nor one."]

[Illustration: TOWER OF ST. ETIENNE DU MONT.]

After the death of Da Vinci Francis never succeeded in retaining a
first-rate painter in his service. Andrea del Sarto and Paris Bordone
did little more than pay passing visits, and the famous school of
Fontainebleau was founded by Rosso and Primaticcio, two decadent
followers of Michel Angelo. The adventures of that second-rate artist
and first-rate bully, Benvenuto Cellini, at Paris, form one of the
most piquant episodes in artistic autobiography. After a gracious
welcome from the king he was offered an annual retaining fee of three
hundred crowns. He at once dismissed his two apprentices and left in a
towering rage, only returning on being offered the same appointments
that had been enjoyed by Leonardo da Vinci--seven hundred crowns a
year, and payment for every finished work. The Petit Nesle[105] was
assigned to Cellini and his pupils as a workshop, the king assuring
him that force would be needed to evict the possessor--it had been
assigned to the provost--adding, "Take great care you are not
assassinated." On complaining to the king of the difficulties he met
with and the insults offered to him on attempting to gain possession,
he was answered: "If you are the Benvenuto I have heard of, live up to
your reputation; I give you full leave." Benvenuto took the hint,
armed himself, his servants and two apprentices, and bullied the
occupants and rival claimants out of their wits. It was at this Tour
de Nesle that Francis paid Cellini a surprise visit with his mistress
Madame d'Estampes