But these are not the only masterpieces contained in this chamber. Over the chimney there is a hand in relief, by Michael Angelo, equal to his most celebrated work; and the walls are ornamented by thirty-six pictures, painted at Florence.
The second and third rooms contain the portraits of several hundred painters, most of them drawn by themselves. What a satisfaction to contemplate the characters of those celebrated masters, whose works have afforded us the highest gratification. But as admittance has never been refused to the most humble candidate for fame, who may choose to send his portrait, many have gained a place here, who will soon be forgotten every where else. In point of execution, my friend the Princess Belmonté, I am afraid, is among this number; but as a patroness of the arts and sciences, she is justly entitled to a place in the gallery of Florence; and, as long as St. Cecilia is held in veneration, the tuneful, the generous Belmonté will ever be remembered.
The fourth is filled with the heads of illustrious persons, and a variety of inscriptions. On one of which, Seraspandes and Rhodaspes, the sons of Phraates, are mentioned; and it is particularly valued because Justin, the only Roman historian who takes notice of these Princes being at Rome, omitted their names.
The fifth contains a beautiful statue of an hermaphrodite, which gives name to the chamber; an Adonis, by Michael Angelo; Venus Victrix; Venus Celeste, and a Bacchus. All excellent statues; and near fifty valuable paintings.
The present Grand Duke fitted up the sixth hall for the reception of Niobe, and her fourteen children, with a taste and magnificence worthy these admirable statues.
The collection of old paintings in the next room is also the work of the reigning Prince. They are accompanied by several busts and statues.
The eighth contains copies in bronze, not only of the Venus of Medicis, and the most admired pieces in the preceding apartments, but of every other celebrated statue, of which the Dukes of Florence have not been able to procure the original. Among these are the Quirinal group of horses; the Capitol Gladiator; the Vatican Apollo, and Meleagre; the little Spanish fawn; the Farnese Hercules, Bull, and Flora, and many others, which the severest critics have allowed to be equal to the originals.
But it is not copies only which here ravish the sight. John Bologna's incomparable Mercury soon arrests the eye. He is absolutely flying, and in so easy, and so natural an attitude, that it is some moments before one perceives that he is supported by the breath of Zephyr, on which he is rising into the air.
From this we pass into the cabinet of bronze antiques, where a variety of miniature Gods and Goddesses, animals, and monsters; altars, tripods, and lamps; helmets, rings, and bracelets, &c. &c. are preserved in fourteen cases.
We now close the Gallery with the Tuscan Museum, whose chief contents are the instruments used by the ancients in their funeral ceremonies, with a variety of urns, in which the burnt bones of the dead were deposited.