money. …' But for the past forty years you have lived on me, and never have I received from you even a good word. …"[1]
A serious question was that of Leonardo's marriage. It occupied the uncle and the nephew for six years.[2] The docile Leonardo treated the uncle with money to leave with the utmost deference. He accepted all his observations and left him to choose, discuss and reject the ladies who offered themselves: he seemed to be indifferent. Michael Angelo, on the contrary, took a passionate interest in the matter, every bit as much as though it was he who was going to marry. He regarded the marriage as a serious affair, in which love was the least important point. Nor did money weigh much more in the balance. That which counted was health and honourability. He gave his nephew some very austere advice, devoid of poetry—robust and positive counsels.
"It is a grave decision. Recollect that between man and woman there should always be a difference in age of ten years; and make sure that she whom you choose is not only good but healthy. …Several persons have been mentioned to me. One pleased me, the other not. If you think of it, write to me, in case you like one better than the other. I will give you my opinion. … You are free to have one or the other, provided that she is of noble birth and well educated, and rather without a dowry than a large one—in order to live in peace. …[3]
