DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0082
60 COUNT BALDA8SARE CASTIGLIONE
ancient Rome that Castiglione's help proved invalu-
able. This report took the form of a Latin letter
addressed to the Pope in Raphael s name. The painter
begins by lamenting the terrible havoc wrought by
those wicked barbarians, the Goths and Vandals, and
the recent destruction of ancient monuments which
had taken place during his own residence in Rome—a
period of less than twelve years. Alter saying that the
churches and palaces of the new city are built with the
lime made of old marbles, the writer implores the Holy
Father to protect the remains of the Imperial city,
the mother of all the glories and greatness of Italy.
He then proceeds to describe the gradual develop-
ment of architecture in ancient and medieval days,
and expresses his ardent admiration for the classical
style adopted by Bramante, in opposition to the
Gothic art of a former age. After this he explains
the system of measurements which he has employed,
and gives a brief analysis of his work and examination.
These introductory pages, which were to be followed
by a full description of the ancient monuments still
in existence, breathe all the passionate enthusiasm
for antiquity which Riled the humanists of the
Renaissance, and inspired the culture of which
Raphaels own art was the Rnest Rower.
The elegant Latin phrases in which these senti-
ments are expressed were no doubt composed by
Castiglione, and the letter was Rrst published at
Padua in 1788, among the minor works of the author
of the ' Cortegiano.' But although the form of the
letter was evidently the work of Castiglione, there
can be no doubt that its substance was due to
Raphael, who gladly availed himself of his friend's
help to clothe his ideas in graceful language. A
Roman writer, Abate Francesconi, Rrst pointed this
ancient Rome that Castiglione's help proved invalu-
able. This report took the form of a Latin letter
addressed to the Pope in Raphael s name. The painter
begins by lamenting the terrible havoc wrought by
those wicked barbarians, the Goths and Vandals, and
the recent destruction of ancient monuments which
had taken place during his own residence in Rome—a
period of less than twelve years. Alter saying that the
churches and palaces of the new city are built with the
lime made of old marbles, the writer implores the Holy
Father to protect the remains of the Imperial city,
the mother of all the glories and greatness of Italy.
He then proceeds to describe the gradual develop-
ment of architecture in ancient and medieval days,
and expresses his ardent admiration for the classical
style adopted by Bramante, in opposition to the
Gothic art of a former age. After this he explains
the system of measurements which he has employed,
and gives a brief analysis of his work and examination.
These introductory pages, which were to be followed
by a full description of the ancient monuments still
in existence, breathe all the passionate enthusiasm
for antiquity which Riled the humanists of the
Renaissance, and inspired the culture of which
Raphaels own art was the Rnest Rower.
The elegant Latin phrases in which these senti-
ments are expressed were no doubt composed by
Castiglione, and the letter was Rrst published at
Padua in 1788, among the minor works of the author
of the ' Cortegiano.' But although the form of the
letter was evidently the work of Castiglione, there
can be no doubt that its substance was due to
Raphael, who gladly availed himself of his friend's
help to clothe his ideas in graceful language. A
Roman writer, Abate Francesconi, Rrst pointed this