DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0388
346
ISABELLA’S ANGER
Isabella now determined to give up the idea of a
painting for her studio, and to ask Bellini for one of
those sacred subjects in which he excelled. On the
15th of September, she wrote to Vianello: “M.
Michele,—You may remember that many months
ago we gave Zuan Bellini a commission to paint a
picture for the decoration of our studio, and when it
ought to have been finished we found that it was not
yet begun. Since it seemed clear that we should
never obtain what we desired, we told him to abandon
the work and give you back the 25 ducats which
we had sent him before, but now he begs us to leave
him the work, and promises to finish it soon. As
till now he has given us nothing but words, we beg
you will tell him in our name that we no longer care
to have the picture, but that if in its stead he would
paint a Nativity (Presepio- manger) we should be
well content, as long as he does not keep us waiting
any longer, and will count the 25 ducats which he
has already received as half payment. This, it
appears to us, is really more than he deserves, but
we are content to leave this to your judgment. We
desire this Nativity should contain the Madonna and
Our Lord God and St. Joseph, together with a St.
John Baptist and the usual animals. If he refuses
to agree to this, you will ask him to return the
25 ducats, and if he will not give back the money
you will take proceedings through the Via della
Ragione” (a Venetian Court of Justice). When this
letter reached Venice the painter was absent, but as
soon as he returned Vianello made him Isabella’s
offer, which he accepted gladly, promising to do a
most excellent thing for the Marchesa, and only
stipulating that the price should be 100 ducats, the
ISABELLA’S ANGER
Isabella now determined to give up the idea of a
painting for her studio, and to ask Bellini for one of
those sacred subjects in which he excelled. On the
15th of September, she wrote to Vianello: “M.
Michele,—You may remember that many months
ago we gave Zuan Bellini a commission to paint a
picture for the decoration of our studio, and when it
ought to have been finished we found that it was not
yet begun. Since it seemed clear that we should
never obtain what we desired, we told him to abandon
the work and give you back the 25 ducats which
we had sent him before, but now he begs us to leave
him the work, and promises to finish it soon. As
till now he has given us nothing but words, we beg
you will tell him in our name that we no longer care
to have the picture, but that if in its stead he would
paint a Nativity (Presepio- manger) we should be
well content, as long as he does not keep us waiting
any longer, and will count the 25 ducats which he
has already received as half payment. This, it
appears to us, is really more than he deserves, but
we are content to leave this to your judgment. We
desire this Nativity should contain the Madonna and
Our Lord God and St. Joseph, together with a St.
John Baptist and the usual animals. If he refuses
to agree to this, you will ask him to return the
25 ducats, and if he will not give back the money
you will take proceedings through the Via della
Ragione” (a Venetian Court of Justice). When this
letter reached Venice the painter was absent, but as
soon as he returned Vianello made him Isabella’s
offer, which he accepted gladly, promising to do a
most excellent thing for the Marchesa, and only
stipulating that the price should be 100 ducats, the