And I
well believe that Alexander the Great in his great undertakings frequently
made use of the skill of Apelles, even if he himself did not know how to
draw. And in the works and commentaries, written by the monarch Julius
Caesar, we may see how much he availed himself of drawing, through some
capable man whom he had in his army. And I even think that the said Caesar
was extremely intelligent in painting, that the great Captain Pompey drew
very well and with style, he being vanquished by Caesar, as Caesar was a
better draughtsman. And I assert that a modern captain who commands a
great army and who is not capable and intelligent in painting and cannot
draw, cannot do any great feats or deeds of arms; and that he who
understands and esteems it will do deeds of renown which will be long
remembered, and will know his ways and how he stands, and how and where he
will break through, and how he will order his retreat, and he will know
how to make his victory appear much greater. For painting in war is not
only advantageous but very necessary. What country warmed by the sun is
more bellicose and better armed than our Italy, or where are there more
continuous wars and greater routs and sieges? and in what country warmed
by the sun is painting more esteemed and celebrated than in Italy?"
M. Angelo was already reposing when Joao Capata said:
"It indeed seems to me, Master Michael, that in arming excellently
Francisco d'Ollanda's lady you disarmed the Emperor Charles, not
remembering that we here are more Colonna than Orsino.
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