tials of the above-mentioned Lord
Duke and Signora Vittoria Farnese, which took place afterwards at
Urbino, he, assisted by his young men, executed on the arches erected by
Genga, who was the head of the festive preparations, all the historical
pictures that were painted upon them. Now, since the Duke doubted that
Battista would not finish in time, the undertaking being very great, he
sent for Giorgio Vasari--who at that time was painting at Rimini, for
the White Friars of Scolca, of the Order of Monte Oliveto, a large
chapel in fresco and an altar-piece in oils for their high-altar--to the
end that he might go to the aid of Genga and Battista in those
preparations. But Vasari, feeling indisposed, made his excuses to his
Excellency and wrote to him that he should have no doubt, for the reason
that the talents and knowledge of Battista were such that he would have
everything finished in time, as indeed, in the end, he did. Giorgio then
going, after finishing his works at Rimini, to visit that Duke and to
make his excuses in person, his Excellency caused him to examine, to the
end that he might value it, the above-mentioned chapel that had been
painted by Battista, which Vasari much extolled, recommending the
ability of that master, who was largely rewarded by the great liberality
of that lord.

[Illustration: THE POOL OF BETHESDA

(_After the painting by =Jacopo Tintoretto=. Venice: S. Rocco_)

_Anderson_]

It is true, however, that Battista was not at that time in Urbino, but
in Rome, where he was engaged in drawing not only the statues but all
the antiquities of that city, and in making, as he did, a great book of
them, which was a praiseworthy work. Now, while Battista was giving his
attention to drawing in Rome, Messer Giovanni Andrea dell'Anguillara,
a man truly distinguished in certain forms of poetry, having got
together a company of various choice spirits, was causing very rich
scenery and decorations to be prepared in the large hall of S. Apostolo,
in order to perform comedies by various authors before gentlemen, lords,
and great persons. He had caused seats to be made for the spectators of
different ranks, and for the Cardinals and other great prelates he had
prepared certain rooms from which, through jalousies, they could see and
hear without being seen. And since in that company there were painters,
sculptors, architects, and men who were to perform the dramas and to
fulfil other offices, Battista and Amm