Chap. II. PECORI. SOGGI. 45 at Florence. 1 Without entering at any length into this question, it is sufficient to remark that Soggi has a local Aretine stamp and something of the Umbrian of Perugino, but that his talent does not justify Vasari in saying that, “after Raphael no one was more stu dious or diligent than he.” 2 Soggi is indeed but little superior to Pecori, and only preserves the humble cento of Signorelli and Perugino handed down by Don Bartolommeo della Gatta. His life is of use however in conjunction with Pecori’s, because it contains authentic dates and certified facts, and we thus become acquain ted with the time when both laboured. He was born at Arezzo in 1480, 3 but was taken at an early age to Florence, where he studied in the Medici Garden. 4 After giving some proofs of his skill there he was sent by his father (c. 1512) to Rome under the patron age of the Cardinal di Monte, for whom he furnished arms and pictures with varying success. 5 He was for a long time secure of the prelates' interest, and accompanied him to Arezzo, settling there and doing much for the churches and companies of the town. 6 The same interest no doubt insured him commissions (1522) from Baldo Magini, a chamberlain of Pope Julius the Second, who had undertaken works of some importance in the church of the Madonna delle Carcere at Prato. There he had the audacity to measure himself against Andrea del Sarto, offering to wager any sum he could beat him at any picture. Andrea contemptuously retorted: — he would back his boy Puligo to do better. 7 The favour of Baldo Magini was however proof against these taunts, and Soggi remained 1 Vas. X. 209. 2 Vas. X. 209. 3 This date is derived from the income-return of 1480—1 made by Donato di Jacopo Soggi at Flo rence. Niccolo is registered in it as one year old. (See Tav. Al fa b. ub. sup.) 4 Vas. VII. 205. 5 The arms of Leo the X lh were placed by him on the front of the cardinal’s palace, and he finished a S. Praxedis martyr and a holy family which have since been lost. (Vas. X. 210—11.) 6 lb. X. 210—11. 7 Vas. X. 213 and com. 221 and VIII. 283.
