.1525-1608 Giulio de 'Medici, became Pope Clem ent VII... John of Bologna Allesandro was Duke. Uffizi Palace built by Vasari... Francesco was Grand Duke.... Ferdinand became Grand Duke. ..1530-1537 .1561 .1564-1642 .1574-1587 ..1587 .1600 PART II. THE TREASURES OF FLORENCE. "There be more things to greet the heart and eyes In Arno's dome of Art's most princely shrine, Where Sculpture with her rainbow sister vies" -Byron. PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA. Statue of Cosimo I, by John of Bologna. Fountain of Neptune, by Bartolommeo Ammanti, said to mark the spot of the execution of Savonarola. PALAZZA VECCHIO. Now the Town Hall of Florence. From the tower, a good view of the city. Platform where was placed the Ringhieri, decorated with sculpture. The Marzocco, or lion of Florence, by Donatello. In the Courtyard, a fountain of red porphyry, by Vasari, surmounted by a statue of a child with a dolphin by Verrocchio, and Arms of the city of Florence; by Bandinelli, a group of statuary, Hercules and Cacus, which was much ridiculed at the time of its completion. Inscription on the walls made when Savonarola proclaimed Christ king of Florence. Stairway with inscription in Latin and in Italian, naming the architects who had some share in the erection or the alteration of the palace: Arnolfo di Cambio, Pisano, Michelozzo, Bandinelli, Vasari and others; and also an inscription expressing a welcome to the princess who was to come as a bride to the Palazzo when it was the abode of the Medici in the year 1565—Joanna of Austria. Poor Joanna, we shall notice her statue, never finished in her honor, but now used as "Abundance" on the heights of the Boboli Gardens. Her husband, Francesco dei Medici is remembered only in connection with Bianca Capella. The Council Chamber, that was to have been decorated by Angelo, Leonardo and Bartolommeo, but whose works were never completed; instead it is decorated with frescoes by Vasari -the subjects being historical and showing the portraits of famous men. Vasari raised the roof, which has since been carved by Majano, and he otherwise altered it for Cosimo I. The Council Chamber had been made by order of Savonarola, who presided over affairs of Florence in it when the Medici were banished. His statue is now placed there. In that same room Cosimo I was proclaimed Duke of Tuscany, in 1569. |