but it would have been well for him in these his last years not
to work save as a pastime, so as not to diminish with works of less
excellence the reputation gained in his best years, when his natural
powers were not declining and drawing towards imperfection. When
Vasari, the writer of this history, was at Venice in the year 1566, he
went to visit Tiziano, as one who was much his friend, and found him
at his painting with brushes in his hand, although he was very old;
and he had much pleasure in seeing him and discoursing with him. He
made known to Vasari Messer Gian Maria Verdezotti, a young Venetian
gentleman full of talent, a friend of Tiziano and passing able in
drawing and painting, as he showed in some landscapes of great beauty
drawn by him. This man has by the hand of Tiziano, whom he loves and
cherishes as a father, two figures painted in oils within two niches,
an Apollo and a Diana.

Tiziano, then, having adorned with excellent pictures the city of
Venice, nay, all Italy and other parts of the world, deserves to be
loved and revered by the craftsmen, and in many things to be admired
and imitated, as one who has executed and is still executing works
worthy of infinite praise, which shall endure as long as the memory of
illustrious men may live.

[Illustration: PARIS BORDONE: THE VENETIAN LOVERS

(_Milan: Brera, 105. Canvas_)]

Now, although many have been with Tiziano in order to learn, yet the
number of those who can truly be called his disciples is not great,
for the reason that he has not taught much, and each pupil has gained
more or less knowledge according as he has been able to acquire it
from the works executed by Tiziano. There has been with him, among
others, one Giovanni, a Fleming, who has been a much-extolled master
in figures both small and large, and in portraits marvellous, as may
be seen in Naples, where he lived some time, and finally died. By his
hand--and this must do him honour for all time--were the designs of
the anatomical studies that the most excellent Andrea Vessalio caused
to be engraved and published with his work. But he who has imitated
Tiziano more than any other is Paris Bordone, who, born in Treviso
from a father of Treviso and a Venetian mother, was taken at the age
of eight to the house of some relatives in Venice. There, having
learned his grammar and become an excellent musician, he went to be
with Tiziano, but he did not spend many years with him, for he
perceived t