.NzUxMg.NTMyOA

After his introduction to Prince Francesco by his friend Vecchietti, Jean Bologne's favour with the Medici kept constantly in the ascendant, and his well-timed event having occurred in 1558, when Cosimo's project to associate his eldest sone with him in the conduct of affairs was receiving a commencement of execution, the artist gained a very powerful protector. His fame had already spread far beyond the confines of Tuscany, and henceforth the fortunate artist was to know nothing but success. A title of nobility was conferred upon him by letter patent, dated 26th August, 1588, one year after the death of Francesco, by the Emperor Rudolph, son of Maximilian II, and in exchange for all the marvels due to his fertile chisel and versatile imagination, the artist asked from Bologna a wife, and became a citizen of Florence, henceforth to be known under the illustrious name of Giovanni Bologna. His wedded life, however, was of short duration, and his wife died childless. In 1599 the King of Portugal made him a Knight of the Order of Christ's Militia, and order appreciated above all others by the Court of Rome. His school was probably the most flourishing ever known, and his studio was visited with a feeling of respectful admiration by all the illustrious visitors to Florence; there the master, even when an octogenarian, was invariably found at work surrounded by his numerous Flemish and Italian pupils. After the death of Vecchietti, in 1590, the sculptor remained the venerated guest of his house. In a letter dated 22nd January, 1608, Pietro Tacca relates that he was executing the bust of the august man at the Villa del