Michael Angelo and the heirs of Julius II., who were becoming threatening.[1] In 1532 a fourth contract was signed between the representatives of the Duke of Urbino and Michael Angelo on the subject of the mausoleum, the latter promising to make a new model of the monument, very reduced in size,[2] to complete it in three years, and to pay all the expenses, as well as 2000 ducats, in view of what he had already received from Julius II. and his heirs. "It will suffice," wrote Sebastiano del Piombo to Michael Angelo, "if a little of your odour (un poco del vostro odore) is found in the work."[3] Sad conditions, since, in signing them, Michael Angelo was confessing to the failure of his great project, and had to pay into the bargain! But, in truth, from year to year it was the failure of his life, the failure of life itself, to which Michael Angelo subscribed in each of his despairing works.
After the project for the monument of Julius II., it was that for the tombs of the Medici which came to nothing. On September 25, 1534, Clement VII. died. Michael Angelo—fortunately for him—was then absent from Florence. For a long time past he had lived there in a state of anxiety, for Duke Alessandro de’ Medici hated him. But for the respect which this prince had for the Pope he would have had the sculptor killed.[4]
- ↑ "If you had not the Pope’s protection," wrote Sebastiano to him, "they would dart like serpents" ("Saltariano come serpenti"). (March 15, 1532.)
- ↑ But six statues, some commenced, others unfinished (doubtless the "Moses," the "Victory," the "Slaves," and the figures of the Boboli grotto) were now to be delivered for the mausoleum, which was to be erected at San Pietro in Vincoli.
- ↑ Letter from Sebastiano del Piombo to Michael Angelo. (April 6, 1532.)
- ↑ Many times had Clement VII. to defend Michael Angelo
