nothing at all, since he is thinking of the end before he has made a beginning to his work.” There was perpetual discord between Michelagnolo Buonarroti and Leonardo, and the competition between them caused Michelagnolo to leave Florence, the Duke Giuliano framing an excuse for him, the pretext for his departure being that he was summoned to Rome by the Pope for the Fa9ade of San Lorenzo. When Leonardo heard of this, he also departed and went to France, where the king, already possessing several of his works, was most kindly disposed towards him, and wished him to paint the cartoon of Sant’ Anna, but Leonardo, according to his custom, kept the king a long time waiting with nothing better than words. Finally, having become old, he lay sick for many months, and, finding himself near death, wrought diligently to make himself acquainted with the Catholic ritual, and with the good and holy path of the Christian religion: he then confessed with great penitence and many tears, and although he could not support himself on his feet, yet, being sustained in the arms of his servants and friends, he devoutly received the Holy Sacrament, while thus out of his bed.[1] The king, who was accustomed frequently and affectionately to visit him, came immediately afterwards to his room, and he, causing himself out of reverence to be raised up, sat in his bed describing his malady and the different circumstances connected with it, lamenting, besides, that he had offended God and man, inasmuch as that he had not laboured in art as he ought to have done. He was then seized with a violent paroxysm, the forerunner of death, when the king, rising and supporting his head to give him such assistance and do him such favour as he could, in the hope of alleviating his sufferings, the spirit of Leonardo, which was most divine, conscious that he could attain to no greater honour, departed in the arms of the monarch,[2] being at that time in the seventy-fifth[3] year of his age.
- ↑ For the question respecting Leonardo’s creed, &c., see Amoretti, Memorxe Storiche, &c.
- ↑ That the truth of this statement is much disputed is known to all. Most writers are now agreed in considering it fabulous. Melzi does not mention the circumstance in the letter which announces the death of Leonardo to his relations; and Lomazzo, Trattato, &c., not only affords no confirmation of the account given by Vasari, but even says that the king learned the death of Leonardo from Melzi.
- ↑ He died on the 2nd of May, 1519, consequently not in the seventyfifth, but the sixty-seventh year of his age. —Ed. Flor.. 1832-8.
