He did other paintings for Lombardy, and for many lords, and, among others, two in Mantua1 for Duke Federigo II., to be sent to the emperor, a work worthy of such a prince. When Giulio Romano saw these paintings, he said that he had never seen colouring to approach it. One was a naked Leda, and the other a Venus, the colouring so lovely and the flesh-tints so well done that it appears actual flesh and not paint. One of them contains a remarkable landscape, in which no Lombard has ever surpassed him. He also did hairs so lightly coloured and so finely polished and threaded that nothing better can be seen.
Some cupids shoot arrows of gold and lead at a stone, a very skilfully executed subject.
A clear and limpid stream runs between rocks, and bathes the feet of Venus, enhancing her loveliness, and it is hard to regard her delicateness and whiteness without emotion. Therefore Antonio merited every possible honour when alive and the praises of writers after his death. At Modena he painted a Madonna,2 valued by all artists, and considered to be the best -painting in that city. Magdalene,3 a very beautiful thing. Reggio possessed a fine and remarkable picture, which not long ago came under the notice of M. Luciano Pallavicino, who was very fond of paintings, and, without minding the cost, he bought it as if it had been a jewel and sent it to his house at Genoa.