all round
stones set on edge, and the lower part of the upright walls being
painted with similar stones, there is no sharp angle to be seen, and
that level surface has the effect of a vast expanse, which was executed
with much judgment and beautiful art by Giulio, to whom our craftsmen
are much indebted for such inventions.

In this work the above-mentioned Rinaldo Mantovano became a perfect
colourist, for he carried the whole of it into execution after the
cartoons of Giulio, as well as the other rooms. And if this painter had
not been snatched from the world so young, even as he did honour to
Giulio during his lifetime, so he would have done honour (to himself)
after Giulio's death.

[Illustration: THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GIANTS BY THE THUNDERBOLTS OF JOVE

(_After the fresco by =Giulio Romano=. Mantua: Palazzo del Te, Sala dei
Giganti_)

_Alinari_]

In addition to this palace, in which Giulio executed many other works
worthy to be praised, of which, in order to avoid prolixity, I shall say
nothing, he reconstructed with masonry many rooms in the castle where
the Duke lives at Mantua, and made two very large spiral staircases,
with very rich apartments adorned all over with stucco. In one hall he
caused the whole of the story of Troy and the Trojan War to be painted,
and likewise twelve scenes in oils in an antechamber, below the heads of
the twelve Emperors previously painted there by Tiziano Vecelli, which
are all held to be excellent. In like manner, at Marmirolo, a place five
miles distant from Mantua, a most commodious building was erected after
the design of Giulio and under his direction, with large paintings no
less beautiful than those of the castle and of the palace of the Te. The
same master painted an altar-piece in oils for the Chapel of Signora
Isabella Buschetta in S. Andrea at Mantua, of Our Lady in the act of
adoring the Infant Jesus, who is lying on the ground, with S. Joseph,
the ass and the ox near a manger, and on one side S. John the
Evangelist, and S. Longinus on the other, figures of the size of life.
Next, on the walls of the same chapel, he caused Rinaldo to paint two
very beautiful scenes after his own designs; on one, the Crucifixion of
Jesus Christ, with the Thieves, some Angels in the air, and on the
ground the ministers of the Crucifixion and the Maries, with many
horses, in which he always delighted, making them beautiful to a marvel,
and many soldiers in various attitudes; and, on