1'ERUZZI, BALDASSAIZE, in biography, was born at Accajano, in the territory of Sienna, in 14S1, in poor and dis tressed circumstances ; his fluffier having been reduced from a state of comparative affluence, by the civil wars which ravaged Florence and its territory. Baldassare exhibited his genius at a very early age; first by imitation of the works of others, and afterwards by original productions in the city of Volterra, where his tinnily resided. Thence he went to Rome, where he placed himself with the father of Maturino; and becoming conspicuous for ability, he was at length em ployed by pope Alexander VI., and also in many churches and convents in that city, in which he produced pictures justly entitled to exalted praise.
Together with painting, he studied architecture ; and prac tised it with considerable success. Ile was also renowned for his know ledge of perspective ; and the works he produced in imitation of architectural projections, excited even the sur prise and admiration of Titian. But his highest renown is
founded upon works of a much more elevated class ; viz., his paintings in fresco and in oil ; in which he exhibited a taste and style not unworthy of Raphael. There is at Wilton a picture of his of the Four Evangelists in Glory, with their peculiar characteristic accompaniments, which bears ample testimony to the truth of this remark ; and perhaps it is the only real specimen of his pencil in England. He wrote a treatise upon the antiquities of Rome, and a commentary on V itruvius, but did not live to publish them ; being poisoned by some who were probably envious of his reputation and talents, in 1536, at the age of 55.