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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