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Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1851. Excerpt: ... BACCIO BANDINELLI, SCULPTOR OF FLORENCE. [born 1487--Pied 1559.] At the time when the Arts were enjoying much prosperity in Florence, hy virtue of the favour and assistance accorded to them by the Magnificent Lorenzo do' Medici tho Elder, * there lived in the city a goldsmith, named Michelagnolo di Viviano of Gaiuole. f This man worked admirably well with his chisels, prepared intagli, and executed enamels and nielli; he was, in short, an able master in all the works proper to his vocation. Michelagnolo had also considerable know- ledge of, and much judgment in, jewels, which he set ex- tremely well, and for his various advantages and acquirements, was chosen head of their craft by all the foreign masters of that calling, 'to whom he was ever ready to offer hospitality; as ho also was to the young people of the city, and his shop was considered to be, as it truly was, the first in Florence. To him it was that the Magnificent Lorenzo and all the house of Medici were accustomed to have recourse, for whatever might be demanded in his vocation, and for Giuliano, the brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Michelagnolo prepared all the ornaments of crests, helmets, and devices of various kinds, used for the tournament which Giuliano held on the Piazza di Santa Croce, all of which were finished with the most delicate mastery. This gained him a great reputation, and gave occasion to much intercourse between the goldsmith and the sons of the Magnificent Lorenzo, by whom his productions were ever highly valued, while their favour and friendship brought him great gains, by which, and by the many labours which he executed for all the city and the whole state, Michelagnolo became a rich man, ns well as one of high repute among those of his art. When tho Medici left Florence in tho year 1494, ...