[963] Old paintings of similar scenes are by no means rare, and no doubt often represent masquerades actually performed. The wealthy classes soon became accustomed to drive in chariots at every public solemnity. We read that Annibale Bentivoglio, eldest son of the ruler of Bologna, returned to the palace after presiding as umpire at the regular military exercises, ‘cum triumpho more romano.’ Bursellis, l. c. col. 909. ad. a. 1490.
[964] The remarkable funeral of Malatesta Baglione, poisoned at Bologna in 1437 (Graziani, Arch. Stor. xvi. i. p. 413), reminds us of the splendour of an Etruscan funeral. The knights in mourning, however, and other features of the ceremony, were in accordance with the customs of the nobility throughout Europe. See e.g. the funeral of Bertrand Duguesclin, in Juvénal des Ursins, ad. a. 1389. See also Graziani, l. c. p. 360.
[965] Vasari, ix. p. 218, Vita di Granacci. On the triumphs and processions in Florence, see Reumont, Lorenzo, ii. 433.
[966] Mich. Cannesius, Vita Pauli II. in Murat. iii. ii. col. 118 sqq.
[967] Tommasi, Vita di Caesare Borgia, p. 251.
[968] Vasari ix. p. 34 sqq., Vita di Puntormo. A most important passage of its kind.
[969] Vasari, viii. p. 264, Vita di Andrea del Sarto.
[970] Allegretto, in Murat. xxiii. col. 783. It was reckoned a bad omen that one of the wheels broke.
[971] M. Anton. Sabellici Epist. l. iii. letter to M. Anton. Barbavarus. He says: ‘Vetus est mos civitatis in illustrium hospitum adventu eam navim auro et purpura insternere.’
[972] Sansovino, Venezia, fol. 151 sqq. The names of these corporations were: Pavoni, Accessi, Eterni, Reali, Sempiterni. The academies probably had their origin in these guilds.