Statues were executed by Micbelagnolo himself in less than a year.
In the centre is the third niche, but this is of a square form, having been originally intended to serve as the entrance to the oval temple, wherein the quadrangular sarcophagus was to have been erected. In this niche there is now placed the beautiful and majestic Statue of Moses, of which we have said enough. Over the heads of the terminal figures, which serve as capitals, there are the Architrave, Frieze, and Cornice, which project over the termini and are richly carved in foliage, ovoli, denticulations, and other ornaments. Above the cornice is a second compartment without carving of any kind, but with termini of a different form, and other figures, standing immediately over those below, they stand in the place of pilasters with varied cornices. In the centre of this compartment, which is similar to and accompanies that below in all its parts, is an opening corresponding with the niche wherein is the Moses; and here, supported by the ressaults of the cornice, is a marble sarcophagus on which is the recumbent Statue of Pope Julius II. executed by the sculptor Maso dal Bosco.[1] Immediately over this and within a niche is the figure of Our Lady holding the Divine Child in her arms, and executed, after the model of Michelagnolo, by the sculptor Scherano da Settignano. These are tolerably good statues; and in two other niches, also of a square form, are two larger statues, a Prophet and a Sybil namely, both seated; they are placed immediately over the figures representing Active Life and Life in Contemplation. These were made by Raffaello da Montelupo, as we have said in the Life of Baccio his father, but did not give satisfaction to Michelagnolo.
This part of the Tomb was surmounted by a richly decorated cornice, which formed the summit of the whole, and projected considerably over the whole front of the work.
At the ends of the same, and above the Termini, stand Candelabra of marble; and in the centre, or over the Prophet and Sybil, are the Arms of Julius 11. Within each of the niches, however, it has been necessary to make a window for the convenience of the monks who serve the church; the choir being behind this monument, these windows permit the voices to be heard in the church, and allow the divine
- ↑ This is believed to be Maso Boscoli, the disciple of Andrea Sansovino.
