DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0389
WITH THE PAINTER
347
same which he was to receive for the Storla. This,
however, Isabella refused to give, saying that 50 ducats
was sufficient, since the Nativity must be of a smaller
size, and could not be placed in her Camerino, but
should be hung in a bedroom. The exact dimensions
of the new picture were sent to Venice by Francesco
Gonzaga’s secretary, Battista Scalona, and Vianello
acknowledged the receipt of the measurements, and
told Isabella that Bellini agreed to paint the Presepio
and to introduce “ the Child and St. John Baptist,
with a distant landscape and other inventions, if this
is agreeable to Your Highness. As to the price, he
agreed to take 50 ducats, and anything more which
may seem good to Your Excellency. So I ordered the
canvas to be prepared with gesso, and he promised to
begin at once.”1
Isabella now suggested the addition of a St. Jerome
to the group, but the painter demurred to this, and
the Marchesa was compelled to yield. “ Apparently,”
she wrote to Vianello on the 25th of November,
“ Bellini will not hear of St. Jerome being introduced
in my Nativity; but I did not choose the subject,
and it is he who seems to be reluctant to paint the
picture at all, so let him do as he pleases. I am will-
ing to have the Presepio, as long as it is worthy of
his reputation. As for the medium and material,
canvas or panel, he may do as he likes, as long as he
keeps to the measurements supplied.”2
A whole year went by, and, hearing no more of her
picture, Isabella once more desired Lorenzo da Pavia
to inquire if Giovanni Bellini were alive or dead! On
the 6th of October 1503, Lorenzo wrote: “ I have
been to see Zuan Bellini, who declares the canvas
1 Braghirolli, op. cit. 2 Yriarte, op. cit.
347
same which he was to receive for the Storla. This,
however, Isabella refused to give, saying that 50 ducats
was sufficient, since the Nativity must be of a smaller
size, and could not be placed in her Camerino, but
should be hung in a bedroom. The exact dimensions
of the new picture were sent to Venice by Francesco
Gonzaga’s secretary, Battista Scalona, and Vianello
acknowledged the receipt of the measurements, and
told Isabella that Bellini agreed to paint the Presepio
and to introduce “ the Child and St. John Baptist,
with a distant landscape and other inventions, if this
is agreeable to Your Highness. As to the price, he
agreed to take 50 ducats, and anything more which
may seem good to Your Excellency. So I ordered the
canvas to be prepared with gesso, and he promised to
begin at once.”1
Isabella now suggested the addition of a St. Jerome
to the group, but the painter demurred to this, and
the Marchesa was compelled to yield. “ Apparently,”
she wrote to Vianello on the 25th of November,
“ Bellini will not hear of St. Jerome being introduced
in my Nativity; but I did not choose the subject,
and it is he who seems to be reluctant to paint the
picture at all, so let him do as he pleases. I am will-
ing to have the Presepio, as long as it is worthy of
his reputation. As for the medium and material,
canvas or panel, he may do as he likes, as long as he
keeps to the measurements supplied.”2
A whole year went by, and, hearing no more of her
picture, Isabella once more desired Lorenzo da Pavia
to inquire if Giovanni Bellini were alive or dead! On
the 6th of October 1503, Lorenzo wrote: “ I have
been to see Zuan Bellini, who declares the canvas
1 Braghirolli, op. cit. 2 Yriarte, op. cit.