GIULIO PIPPI, surnamed " ROMANO" from the place of his birth, was b. at Rome in 1492. and became one of Raphael's most distinguished and beloved pupils. His excel lence as an architect and engineer almost equaled his genius as a painter. Giulio Pippi assisted Raphael in the execution of several of his finest works, and by special desire• of the great master he was intrusted with the completion of all his unfinished designs..
after his death. He likewise inherited a great portion.of Raphael's wealth. The works executed by Giulio Pippi, in imitation of Raphael, reflect so wonderfully, not alone the style and character, but the sentiment and spirit of the original, that in many instances uncertainty has arisen as to the baud from which they emanated; while, on the con trary, the more original creations of Giulio Pippi are deficient in the ideal grace of his master, and display rather breadth, and power of treatment., and boldness of imagina tion, than poetical refinement or elevation. Unlike Raphael, the chief excellence of Giulio Pippi does not lie in his conception of the divine or Christian, but rather of the classical ideal. Giulio Pippi died in 1546.
The principal architectural works designed by Giulio Pippi were executed at .31an tua, during his lengthened residence at the court of duke Frederick Gonzaga. The
drainage of the marshes surrounding Mantua, and the securing the city from the fre quent inundations of the rivers Po and Mincio, attest his skill as an engineer; while his genius as an architect found free scope in the restoration and adornment of many of the chief public edifices of Mantua, and especially in the erection of the splendid palace known as Il Palazzo del Te, which he also embellished with mythological frescos, and a profusion of exquisite decorations. Many of Giulio Pippi's finest pictures passed into the possession of Charles I. of England, who purchased, in 1629, the celebrated collection of the dukes of Mantua. Several of them are now contained in the Hamp ton court gallery; but the finest of all, a "Nativity," was sold to France, and now adorns the Louvre. The Naples gallery of Capi d'Opera, possesses a Holy Family by Giulio Pippi, called the "Madonna della Gatta." and considered the greatest of his pic tures; it is strongly imbued with the spirit and influence of Raphael. The Loggia of Raphael, in the Vatican, also contains some fine frescos executed by Giulio Pippi; and in the Palazzo Farnese there is a grand frieze attributed to him.