See what Cardinal
Della Valla or Cardinal de Cesis did. Likewise Pope Paul, who, although
not very musical nor interested in painting, yet treats me well, and at
least better than I ask; and then there is Urbino, my servant, to whom he
gives solely for grinding my colour ten 'cruzados' a month besides rations
in the palace. I say nothing of his vain favours and kindnesses, of which
I sometimes feel ashamed. Now, what shall I say of the diverting Sebastian
Veneziano? to whom (although he did not come at a favourable time) the
Pope gave the Leaden Seal, with the honour and profit which appertain to
that office, without the lazy painter having painted more than two things
in Rome, which will not astonish Senhor Francisco much. So that in this
our country, even those who do not esteem painting greatly, pay for it
much better than those who are greatly delighted with it in Spain or
Portugal; and therefore I advise you as a son that you ought not to depart
from Italy, because I fear that if you do you will repent it."
"I thank, you, Senhor Michael Angelo, for your advice," I said to him,
"but still I am serving the King of Portugal, and in Portugal I was born
and hope to die, and not in Italy. But as you make such a difference in
the value of painting in Italy and in Spain, do me the favour of teaching
me how painting ought to be valued, because I am in this matter so
scandalised that I do not trust myself to value any work."
"What do you call valuing?" he replied.
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