sterly picture
both in drawing and execution, with grand draperies, a fur pelisse, and
damask doublet with crimson sleeves. In the National Gallery we possess
his own portrait by himself, in company with Cardinal de Medici. The
faces are well contrasted, and we judge from Sebastian's that his
biographer describes him justly, as fat, indolent, and given to
self-indulgence, but genial and fond of good company.

After an absence of twenty years he returned to Venice. There he came
in contact with Titian and Pordenone, and struck up a friendship with
Aretino, who became his great ally and admirer. The sack of Rome had
driven him forth, but in 1529, when the city was beginning partially
to recover from that time of horror, he returned, and was cordially
welcomed by Clement VII., and admitted into the innermost ecclesiastical
circles. The Piombo, a well-paid, sinecure office of the Papal court,
was bestowed on him, and his remaining years were spent in Rome. He
was very anxious to collaborate with Michelangelo, and the great
painter seems to have been quite inclined to the arrangement. The "Last
Judgment," in the Sixtine Chapel, was suggested, and Sebastian had the
melancholy task of taking down Perugino's masterpieces; but he wished to
reset the walls for oils, and Michelangelo stipulated for fresco, saying
that oils were only fit for women, so that no agreement was arrived at.

Sebastian's mode of work was slow, and he employed no assistants. He
seems to have been inordinately lazy, fond of leisure and good living,
and his character shows in his work, which, with a few exceptions, has
something heavy and common about it, a want of keenness and fire, an
absence of refinement and selection.

PRINCIPAL WORKS

Florence. Uffizi: Fornarina, 1512; Death of Adonis.
Pitti: Martyrdom of S. Agatha, 1520; Portrait (L.).
London. Resurrection of Lazarus, 1519; Portraits.
Naples. Holy Family; Portraits.
Paris. Visitation, 1521.
Rome. Portrait of Andrea Doria (L.).
Farnesina: Frescoes, 1511.
S. Pietro in Montorio. Frescoes.
Treviso. S. Niccolo: Incredulity of S. Thomas (E.).
Venice. Academy: Visitation (E.).
S. Giovanni Chrisostomo: S. Chrysostom enthroned (E.).
Viterbo. Pieta (L.).

CHAPTER XXII

BONIFAZIO AND PARIS BORDONE

Some uncertainty has existed as to the identity of the different members
of the family of Bonifazio. All the early historians ag