Giorgio Vasari, an Italian artist, born in Arezzo in 1512, died in Florence, June 27, 1574. He belonged to a family of painters, was brought up at Florence by his kinsman Cardinal Passerini, together with Ippolito and Alessandro de' Medici, and became the friend and pupil of Michel Angelo and Andrea del Sarto. After returning to Arezzo in 1527 he produced his first religious painting. Subsequently he was also engaged as a sculptor in that city and in Rome, where he acquired a fortune. His chief works are a " Descent from the Cross " in Rome; the design for the villa Giulia, finally executed by Michel Angelo and Yignola; decorations for the Medici palace at Florence, including the "Adoration of the Magi;" and "Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist" at Rome, one of his masterpieces. He was one of the founders of the Florentine academy of fine arts. His biographical work on Italian artists is still a standard authority. It is entitled Le vite de' piu eccellenti pittori, scultori e arcliitetti (in 3 parts, Florence, 1550; 2d ed. enlarged, 2 vols. 4to, 1568; best recent ed., 13 vols. 12mo, Florence, 1846-'57). It has been translated into English by Mrs. Jonathan Forster (5 vols., London, 1850-52).