0፣

BENVENUTO CELLINI.

Benvenuto Cellini was born at Florence in 1500. He at first learned sculpture, but he is far better known for his fine goldsmith-works; he has also engraved medals. His style is easy and unaffected, it might be said without art and whimsical like his wit. Cellini was a man of an odd temper, independent and quarrelsome; often he had sword in hand. At the plundering of Rome, by the constable de Bourbon, he joined with some friends to make an opposition. In his life written by himself, he boasts of having killed the constable with an arquebuse.

Under the pontificate of Paul III, he was falsely accused of having diverted the jewels of the pontifical crown, and regained his liberty only by the entreaties of François I who was desirous of having him in France, Cellini performed different works for this monarch; among others, a massy gold navel, where the elements are represented by proportioned figures of six or seven inches.

Eleonor of Autriche possessed a long while this precious jewel, which she carried away with other valuable objects to the castle of Ambras. It is now to be found at Vienne in the Bas-Belveder. The works of Cellini are so scarce and so highly valued that in 1774 an Englishman travelling in Italy gave 20,000 franks for a silver-cup chased by that skilful artist. Cellini returned to his country, where he died in 1571.

NOTICE

SUR

GUIDO CANLASSI, DIT IL CAGNACCI.

Guido Canlassi naquit à Castel-Sant-Arcangelo en 1601. La difformité qu'il avait lui fit donner le sobriquet de il Cagnacci, et il est presque toujours désigné sous ce seul nom.

Élève de Guido-Reni, il imita d'abord la manière de son maître, et fit plusieurs tableaux fort estimés; mais par suite, ayant voulu changer sa méthode et chercher un coloris plus vigoureux, il perdit une partie de son mérite.

Une singularité qui peut servir à faire reconnaître les tableaux de Cagnacci, est d'avoir donné à ses figures d'anges un caractère, qui s'éloigne par trop de la jeunesse.

Cagnacci mourut à Vienne, en 1681, âgé de quatrevingts ans.

NOTICE

OF

GUIDO-CANLASSI ALIAS IL CAGNACCI.

Guido Canlassi was born at Castel-Sant-Arcangelo in 1601. His deformity was the cause of his bearing the nickname of il cagnacci he is almost always designed by that single name.

A pupil of Guido-Reni, he at first imitated his master's manner, made several pictures greatly esteemed; but in process of time, being willing to change his method in attempting a more vigorous colouring, he lost part of his

merit.

A singularity which may serve to make his pictures known is to have given to the figures of his angels a character very far from youth.

Canlassi died at Vienna in 1681,

80 years old.

NOTICE

SUR

VINCENT CAMUCCINI.

Vincent Camuccini est né à Rome où il est regardé comme le plus babile des peintres vivans. C'est en France qu'il a étudié; mais il n'a pourtant pas conservé la manière de cette école, ayant surtout copié des tableaux de Rubens. Son dessin est pur, le caractère de ses figures est noble, son coIoris assez vigoureux, ses draperies sont bien jetées. Il a eu moins de succès lorsqu'il a fait des portraits.

Camuccini possède beaucoup de tableaux de maîtres anciens, des dessins remarquables et des gravures précieuses. Il a rempli pendant long-temps les fonctions de directeur de l'académie de Saint-Luc, et c'était aussi à lui qu'était confié le soin des collections du Vatican.

Camuccini, veuf depuis quelque temps, n'a eu qu'un fils. En 1833, il a reçu la décoration de la Légion-d'Honneur.

NOTICE

OF

VINCENT CAMUCCINI.

Vincent Camuccini is born at Rome were he is looked upon as one of the most skilful painters living, he studied in France, but did not however retain the manner of that school, having especially copied the pictures of Rubens. His drawing is neat, the character of his figures noble, his coloring pretty vigorous, his drapery well cast; he was less succesful when he made portraits.

Camuccini possesses many pictures of ancient masters, remarkable drawings and precious engravings. He has fulfilled for a long time the functions of director of the academy of Saint-Luc, he was likewise entrusted with the care of the collections of the Vatican.

Camuccini being a widower since a while had but one son. In 1833, the decoration of the legion d'Honneur was conferred on him.