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VILLA DI PAPA GIULIO 



When engaged on some work in Florence, Vasari tells how word came 

 of the death of Pope Paul III., and that a Conclave was summoned to 

 elect his successor ; he goes on to relate : "It chanced that going out of 

 the city gate to meet Cardinal Monte, who was passing through on his 

 way to the Conclave, I had no sooner made my bow to that prelate and 

 spoken a Few words with him, than he said to me, ' I am going to Rome, 

 and shall infallibly be elected Pope ; wherefore, if thou hast anything to 

 desire, hasten to follow me, so soon as the news shall arrive, without 

 waiting any other invitation than that I now give thee, or seeking any 

 further intelligence.' Nor was this prognostic a vain word. Being at 

 Arezzo during the Carnival of that year, I was making arrangements for 

 certain festivals and maskings, when there came a messenger with the 

 news that the aforesaid Cardinal had become Pope Julius III. Mounting 

 my horse, therefore, without delay, I proceeded to Florence, whence 

 hastened by the Duke, I departed at once for Rome, to be present at the 

 coronation of the new Pontiff, and to make arrangements for the 

 festivities consequent thereon." 



The new Pontiff was as good as his word, and Vasari had constant 

 employment found for him. " It was myself, for example, with whom 

 originated the first arrangement and plans of the Vigna Julia, which the 

 Pope then caused to be constructed at an incredible cost ; arid although 

 the works were executed by others, it was I who made drawings of all 

 the fancies which Pope JuHus invented for that place, and which were 

 afterwards examined and corrected by Michelagnolo ; when Jacopo 

 Barozzi da Vignola completed various apartments, halls, and ' chambers 



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