Passavant, Johann David: Raphael of Urbino and his father Giovanni Santi (London , New York: MacMillan and Co., 1872)

LbiLriM IV.

UXVLX lllO X.

(iziz—1520.)


XOblX Julius II. Xapbael ba6 served a prince nt once
severe, courteous, persevering, an6 ambitions of illus-
trating bis reign tbrougb lire productions of art. Ibe
period was propitious lor great enterprises, ancl b^ bis
ambitious i6eas an6 tbe austerity of bis cbaracter,

Julius II. gave a fresb impulse to all tbat was going forwarcl. Ibe vast
6eI6 for exertion wbicb be opened to artists excited a fruitful emulation,
ancl art was bringing fortb marvels of all bin6s at tbe time wben tbe
^oung painter of Urbino was executing bis masterpieces.
I^eo X„ no less a frien6 of art tban bis predecessor, was, bowever, of
a ver^ cliberent cbaracter. His bigb birtb, brilliant education, bis 6eli-
cate taste—a family inberitance—bis affable manners, ancl great prodi-
gality, all contributecl to gain tbs affection of all tbat approacbecl bim.
bl is liberality to autbors, poets, ancl artists, wbo 6ocbs6 to Xome from
all tbs states in Ital/, bas for ever renclerecl bis name famous.
blis preclscessor, bowever, far surpassed bim in energy ancl in tbe
cleptb of bis combinations. Julius II. pursuecl brml/ ancl unbssitatingl^
bis great aim of tbe consolidation of tbe papal power, an6 tbe deliverance
of Ital^ from tbe foreign ^obe, wbilst, on tbe contrary, tbe politics of
b.eo X. were narrower, as be sougbt principally tbe advancement of bis
own familv. Julius II., b/ tbe wise administration of bis resources, was
able to ensure tbe continuation of bis gigantic labours in art; wbilst
lbeo X., by- bis exaggerated magnificence an6 unbounclecl generosity, so