DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0069
CHAPTER XXXI
1519
Castiglione in Rome—His letters to Isabella d' Este—Festivities at
the court—The Pope's love of music—Raphael's loggia—
Trial of Longolio—Raphael's survey of ancient Rome—Cas-
tiglione's assistance—Elegy and letters to Ippolita—-The
Count returns to Mantua.
IN spite of the arduous nature of Castiglione s diplo-
matic duties and the difficulties which he met with
in their discharge, he thoroughly enjoyed the hve
months which he spent in Rome. In after-years he
looked back with affectionate regret on the pleasant
memories of these days in the great city which he
calls ' his own Rome, the delight alike of gods and
men/ Three summers had passed since his last visit,
and during this interval many improvements had been
made in the Borgo. New and splendid palaces had
arisen in the Via Giulia, and the works at St. Peter's
and the decoration of the Vatican had been carried on
under Raphaels direction. Three of the wonderful
tapestries from the painter's cartoons which the
Cardinal of Aragon had seen at Brussels were sent
to Rome in September, and by the end of the year
seven pieces were hung in the Sistine Chapel. In
May the elaborate scheme of decoration which Raphael
had planned for the second story of the gallery connect-
ing the Belvedere Casino with the Vatican Palace was
VOL. 11. 49 4
1519
Castiglione in Rome—His letters to Isabella d' Este—Festivities at
the court—The Pope's love of music—Raphael's loggia—
Trial of Longolio—Raphael's survey of ancient Rome—Cas-
tiglione's assistance—Elegy and letters to Ippolita—-The
Count returns to Mantua.
IN spite of the arduous nature of Castiglione s diplo-
matic duties and the difficulties which he met with
in their discharge, he thoroughly enjoyed the hve
months which he spent in Rome. In after-years he
looked back with affectionate regret on the pleasant
memories of these days in the great city which he
calls ' his own Rome, the delight alike of gods and
men/ Three summers had passed since his last visit,
and during this interval many improvements had been
made in the Borgo. New and splendid palaces had
arisen in the Via Giulia, and the works at St. Peter's
and the decoration of the Vatican had been carried on
under Raphaels direction. Three of the wonderful
tapestries from the painter's cartoons which the
Cardinal of Aragon had seen at Brussels were sent
to Rome in September, and by the end of the year
seven pieces were hung in the Sistine Chapel. In
May the elaborate scheme of decoration which Raphael
had planned for the second story of the gallery connect-
ing the Belvedere Casino with the Vatican Palace was
VOL. 11. 49 4