Full text: Spence, B.: The "Lions" of Florence and its environs, or the stranger conducted through its principal studios, churches, palaces and galleries

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first turning to the right, which leads down to the 
Badia, or Abbey of Fiesole, erected by Brunellesco, 
by order of Cosimo il Vecchio dei Medici. 
BADIA FIESOLANA.—The facade was left by Bru¬ 
nellesco in the same state as it existed is the more 
ancient Badia. The convent which is close to the 
Badia, was a favourite resort of the Platonici; here 
Pico della Mirandola wrote his work on Genesis 
which he called “Etaplo.” In the refectory is a large 
fresco by that strange though clever artist Giovanni 
da S. Giovanni, representing our Saviour attended 
upon by angels after his fast in the desert. This 
subject is treated in Giovanni’s usual extravagant 
manner; as a fresco painting it is full of vigour and 
good colouring. I have before mentioned that Gio- 
vanni was the last link of the Florentine school of 
colourists, who with Cigoli, Matteo Rosselli, Iacopo 
da Empoli, etc. succeeded to the Michelangelesque 
school of Vasari and Bronzino. At one period of his 
life he was comparatively rich; Giovanni however 
soon squandered away his money, and died in a hos¬ 
pital about 1690. 
VILLA SALVIATI. — Leaving the Badia you have 
in front of you on the hill opposite, the castle like 
and celebrated historical Villa Salviati, built by la¬ 
copo Salviati. This Villa or castle (for the roof and 
windows have been added in the sixteenth century) 
had been completely abandoned by its former pos¬ 
sessors and was only known a few years ago to
	        
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