Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 edition. Excerpt: ... CRITICISMS ON ARCHITECTURE AND PAINTING DURING A TOUR IN ITALY. I. PALACE SPADA. Not far from the Farnese, built in the Pontificate of Paul III. (Farnese) by Card. Capoferro, and afterwards purchased by the family Spada, with whom it continues. It is not very large, surrounding one small cortile only, with a little garden behind it; of an unpleasing architecture, much ornamented with festoons, medaglions, reliefs and niches with statues between every two windows. It has a deserted, dirty, melancholy air within side, as most of the old Italian houses have. IN THE SUMMER APARTMENTS. Death of Archemorus. The serpent has intwisted the child, who is still alive in his folds, and raises the fore part of his body to defend himself against three warriors who are attacking him. Hypsipile stands by, her hair dishevelled, and in VOL. IV. Q great affliction, mezzo relievo. Figures about half life, the workmanship indifferently good, and does not want spirit. The following are of the same size and character Antique. Zethus and Amphion. The former sitting with a dog by him, the other (a very gentile figure) stands before him, his hand resting on the testudo. These insignia denote the different characters of the two brothers, and seem to give some light to that passage in Horace: Gratia sic fratrum geminorum, Amphionis atque Zethi, dissiluit; donee suspecta severo Conticuit lyra. Fraternis cesaisse putatur Moribus Amphion. Tu cede potentis amici Lenibus imperils; quotiesque educet in agros-iEtoliis onerata plagis jumenta canesque; Surge, et inhumane senium depone Camenae. There is some architecture in the sculpture perhaps alluding to the building of Thebes by Amphion's lyre Antique. Daedalus and Pasiphae. He is sitting, in one hand a saw, the other...