ts distribution, and with carved
cornices of many kinds; and on the piers were lifesize figures.
Everything below the cornices, between one pier and another, he
adorned with festoons of stucco, vastly rich, and others painted, and
all composed of most beautiful fruits and every sort of foliage. And
then, in a large space, he caused to be painted after his own designs,
if what I have heard is true, about twenty-four scenes in fresco,
representing, I believe, the deeds of Alexander the Great; for which, as
I have said, he made all the designs, executing them in chiaroscuro with
water-colours. At the two ends of this gallery are two panel-pictures in
oils by his hand, designed and painted with such perfection, that there
is little better to be seen in the art of painting. In one of these are
a Bacchus and a Venus, executed with marvellous art and judgment. The
Bacchus is a naked boy, so tender, soft, and delicate, that he seems to
be truly of flesh, yielding to the touch, and rather alive than painted;
and about him are some vases painted in imitation of gold, silver,
crystal, and various precious stones, so fantastic, and surrounded by
devices so many and so bizarre, that whoever beholds this work, with its
vast variety of invention, stands in amazement before it. Among other
details, also, is a Satyr raising part of a pavilion, whose head, in its
strange, goatlike aspect, is a marvel of beauty, and all the more
because he seems to be smiling and full of joy at the sight of so
beautiful a boy. There is also a little boy riding on a wonderful bear,
with many other ornaments full of grace and beauty. In the other picture
are Cupid and Venus, with other lovely figures; but the figure to which
Rosso gave the greatest attention was the Cupid, whom he represented as
a boy of twelve, although well grown, riper in features than is expected
at that age, and most beautiful in every part.

The King, seeing these works, and liking them vastly, conceived an
extraordinary affection for Rosso; wherefore no long time passed before
he gave him a Canonicate in the Sainte Chapelle of the Madonna at Paris,
with so many other revenues and benefits, that Rosso lived like a
nobleman, with a goodly number of servants and horses, giving banquets
and showing all manner of courtesies to all his friends and
acquaintances, especially to the Italian strangers who arrived in those
parts.

After this, he executed another hall, which is called the Pavil