DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0384
342
CORRESPONDENCE WITH
finest collection of works of art in Venice, and who
was on intimate terms both with the painter and the
master of organs, spent a few days at Mantua, and
promised the Marchesa to induce Giovanni to paint a
fantasia to match the allegories of Mantegna.1
“ On my arrival here,” he wrote, March 5, “ I went
to see Zuan Bellini, to execute the commission given
me by Your Signory before I left, and told him your
wish, and the Storia which you desire him to paint.
Zuan Bellini replied that he was obliged to work for
this Signory in the Palace, and could never get away
from early morning till after dinner, but that he
would manage to find or rob time in which to serve
you, both for your sake and for love of me. But I
must warn you that the said Zuan has many other
works on hand, so that it will be impossible for you
to have your picture as soon as you wish. I think it
will be a year and a half before it is finished. As to
the price, he asks 150 ducats, but may reduce it to
100. This is all I can do.”
Isabella lost no time in clenching the bargain, and
on the 1st of April, Michele wrote again: “ I have
seen Zuan Bellini several times, and told him Your
Excellency’s wishes, and he has agreed to do the work
for 100 ducats in a year’s time. He will set to work
as soon as possible, and I hope that you may have
the picture in a little over a year. He promises to
take the greatest pains, and begs you to send him
25 ducats, and hopes to begin the work directly after
the holidays.—Your servant, M. Vianello.”
On the 4th of April, Isabella wrote: “ Messer
Michele,—I am glad to hear that you have induced
1 W. Braghirolli, Archivio Veneto, vol, xiii. ; C. Yriarte, Gazette
d. B. Arts, 1896.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH
finest collection of works of art in Venice, and who
was on intimate terms both with the painter and the
master of organs, spent a few days at Mantua, and
promised the Marchesa to induce Giovanni to paint a
fantasia to match the allegories of Mantegna.1
“ On my arrival here,” he wrote, March 5, “ I went
to see Zuan Bellini, to execute the commission given
me by Your Signory before I left, and told him your
wish, and the Storia which you desire him to paint.
Zuan Bellini replied that he was obliged to work for
this Signory in the Palace, and could never get away
from early morning till after dinner, but that he
would manage to find or rob time in which to serve
you, both for your sake and for love of me. But I
must warn you that the said Zuan has many other
works on hand, so that it will be impossible for you
to have your picture as soon as you wish. I think it
will be a year and a half before it is finished. As to
the price, he asks 150 ducats, but may reduce it to
100. This is all I can do.”
Isabella lost no time in clenching the bargain, and
on the 1st of April, Michele wrote again: “ I have
seen Zuan Bellini several times, and told him Your
Excellency’s wishes, and he has agreed to do the work
for 100 ducats in a year’s time. He will set to work
as soon as possible, and I hope that you may have
the picture in a little over a year. He promises to
take the greatest pains, and begs you to send him
25 ducats, and hopes to begin the work directly after
the holidays.—Your servant, M. Vianello.”
On the 4th of April, Isabella wrote: “ Messer
Michele,—I am glad to hear that you have induced
1 W. Braghirolli, Archivio Veneto, vol, xiii. ; C. Yriarte, Gazette
d. B. Arts, 1896.