37 6 



THE GARDENS OF ITALY. 



. THE TERRACED GARDEN OF THE PALAZZO ROSAZZA. 



floor was originally open, and its gay frescoed and stuccoed interior must have given a 

 characteristic note of gaiety and richness tothe sea front of the palace. A lower hall, with 

 lunetted coved ceiling, richly frescoed with four panels of " Triumphs," gives access to a vaulted 

 staircase leading up to this loggia which, as closed in, has the appearance of a gallery. From it is 

 approached a noble saloon, marked by a rich but curiously designed fireplace. Adjoining is the 

 sober bedroom used by Andrea Doria. The portraits of the great admiral are of much interest ; in 

 one of them appears his favourite yellow cat. The house was presented to him in 1522, 

 thirty years before his death at the age of ninety-two. 



A long inscription on the present street front records that Andrea Doria. Admiral of the 

 Papal, Imperial, French and Genoese fleets, caused the palace to be rebuilt for himself 

 and his successors. These alterations to the older structure seem to have been made 

 in 1529 by Fra Giov. Aug. Montorsoli (1507 1563), described as an assistant of Michel- 

 angelo. The frescoes and grotesques were by Perino del Vaga (1500 1547). The style is that 

 of Raphael rather than of his great rival. It is the early character of this villa-palace which 

 is attractive in a city which, as a whole, is dominated by the later school of Alessi 

 (15001572). What remains of the gardens in front is of great interest. The pebble 

 mosaic sloping ways, though modern in feeling, accord well with the herring-bone brick 

 paving of the arcades. Though "the general garden has been altered to shapeless 



grass plots with 

 serpentine paths, 

 there are two terrace 

 gardens still left. 

 One provides a back- 

 ground of green trees 

 to the arcades ; while 

 in the other palms 

 shade a raised foun- 

 tain with marble 

 balustrading. The 



399. ORIGINAL SECTION OF THE HOUSE 



AND GARDEN. 



From Gauthier. 



