DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0208
CRISTOFORO ROMANO
151
and there is no business of importance, I hope to
come to Mantua, if possible, for a fortnight; for I
wish above all else to see you and the other members
of our family. Meanwhile you must try and keep
well, and I will do the same. My journey to England,
as far as I can make out, is not to take place this
winter V
Fortunately, Castiglione found the Duke restored
to health on his return to Fossombrone. The court
resumed its former gaiety, and new visitors arrived
to add lustre to the daily gatherings in Elisabetta's
rooms. In November Bembo arrived from Venice, on
a flying visit to the March, with another popular per-
sonage, whose musical talents and witty conversation
made him as great a favourite at Mantua and Urbino
as he had been at Milan—the sculptor Cristoforo
Romano. Castiglione greeted him as an old friend,
and heard many interesting particulars regarding both
Milan and Mantua from his lips. Now the sculptor
was on his way to Rome, and brought with him as a
present to the Duchess his beautiful portrait-medal
of the Marchesana Isabella, which excited as much
admiration at the court as it does in our own time.
Not a little mirth was caused on this occasion by a
trick which the Duchess played upon her adorer,
f Unico Aretino. At her suggestion Cristoforo
showed Accolti the medal which he had been desired
to give the poet, and told him that he could not
spare one for him, upon which the jealous Aretine
broke into bitter reproaches. So violent was his
anger that some months later Isabella felt obliged to
write a letter to the sculptor, feigning the greatest
displeasure at his forgetfulness in obeying her orders,
and begged Cristoforo to show Accolti this note, ' in
i Serassi, i. 25.
151
and there is no business of importance, I hope to
come to Mantua, if possible, for a fortnight; for I
wish above all else to see you and the other members
of our family. Meanwhile you must try and keep
well, and I will do the same. My journey to England,
as far as I can make out, is not to take place this
winter V
Fortunately, Castiglione found the Duke restored
to health on his return to Fossombrone. The court
resumed its former gaiety, and new visitors arrived
to add lustre to the daily gatherings in Elisabetta's
rooms. In November Bembo arrived from Venice, on
a flying visit to the March, with another popular per-
sonage, whose musical talents and witty conversation
made him as great a favourite at Mantua and Urbino
as he had been at Milan—the sculptor Cristoforo
Romano. Castiglione greeted him as an old friend,
and heard many interesting particulars regarding both
Milan and Mantua from his lips. Now the sculptor
was on his way to Rome, and brought with him as a
present to the Duchess his beautiful portrait-medal
of the Marchesana Isabella, which excited as much
admiration at the court as it does in our own time.
Not a little mirth was caused on this occasion by a
trick which the Duchess played upon her adorer,
f Unico Aretino. At her suggestion Cristoforo
showed Accolti the medal which he had been desired
to give the poet, and told him that he could not
spare one for him, upon which the jealous Aretine
broke into bitter reproaches. So violent was his
anger that some months later Isabella felt obliged to
write a letter to the sculptor, feigning the greatest
displeasure at his forgetfulness in obeying her orders,
and begged Cristoforo to show Accolti this note, ' in
i Serassi, i. 25.