Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-10-01
The First Work of Michael Angelo.

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The distinguished painter, sculptor and ar
chitect, Michael Angelo Buonarott ii, was born
in Tuscany, in 1874. He was put out to nurse
TO the wife of a sculptor, and may, therefore,
be said to have sucked sculpture in his very
milk.
He entered the studio of Ghirlandajo at the
age of thirteen, and performed feats une-
qualled in the annals of art He seldom had
his work corrected, and his copy always sur
passed the original. His master being SUI
perior man himself, and capable of appreei-
ating talent wherever found, encouraged his
pupil in these developments of youthful ex-
celIence Not so with his companions. They
could not look upon their young rival with
complacency, for genius of this character
could not be suffered TO exist in a lad of thir-
teen wears. Michael Angelo had therefore to
endure their in-treatment.
Once our youthful artist took occasion 10
eriticise the design of one of his fellow work
men, and thereupon he received such blow
from the exasperated man, that il broke the
cartilage of his nose-frOm which cause il re-
manned crooked through life.
One day Angelo entered the grounds of the
Medici. He there beheld treasures of art,
which Lorenzo the Magnificent had collected,
such as he never beheld before. Struck with
prompted him, not only to initiate but TO ex-
eel these exquisite productions. Procuring a
block of marble, he Invested himself of his
outer garment, and, seizing chisel and ham
mer, he began the outlines of faun's head.
The studio of his former master was de-
serted by him, to the no small qualification of
his fellows, who rejoiced that they were at
last rid Of their detested and hated rival,
whose only crime consisted in his surprising
talent.
One day, as Michael Angelo was finishing
his faun's head, a man of about forty, ex-
eeedingly plain in feature, and dressed with
the greatest negligence, stopped opposite to
him, and silently observed him as he worked
Michael Angelo labored with ardor, without
taking the slightest notice of the unknown,
for whom he cared about as much as for the
dust that fell beneath his chisel-
When he had given the finishing stroke TO
his work, the young man drew back, after
the manner of artists in general, so as better
to Judge of the effect of his performance,
with which he appeared perfectly satisfied.
This was apparently the moment awaited by
the spectator of the scene, who, slowly adj
vancing, laid his hand on the young sculptor's
shoulder.
Friend" said he, with a smile, evil you
allow me to make one remark :"
Michael Angelo turned round with assur-
anee, and with an air combining contempt
and insOlence.
"a remark You:" said he, slowly.
"Or, in other words, if you like it better,
a criticism" continued the stranger.
!" On my faunis heads"
"0n your faun's head" quietly answered
the unknown.
|" And pray who are YOU, sir, who thus as
sumo a right TO criticise my labOr?"
cit can matter very little to you who |
am, if my criticism is correct" said the
stranger.
"And who is TO decide between us which
of the two is right?"
yourself, if you wish it,"
"Well, sir, let US hear speak !" said Mi
chsel Angelo, folding his arms with an air OF
defiance.
"Haye you not intended to represent the
gTinning head Of an old faun :" asked the
stranger.
Certainly-that is easy enough to be
SEEN"
"wen," suggested the critic, smiling,
where did you ever see an old man with a
perfect set of teeth 2"
The young man Redeemed up TO the eyes al
this remark, and bit his IN with vexation
The criticism was a Just one; and, waiting
till lis interlocutor had disappeared, he took
his ehisel, and, with a couple of blows, he
Knocked outs two of the faun's teeth. As il
was now growing late, Re resolved to return
the next day, and put finishing stroke &c
his work.
The following morning, at an early hour
Angelo repaired TO the garden; but, TO hi:
great surprise, his faun he'd disappeared, anC
Il its place was posted the stranger of the
day before. -,
young sculptor.
at has been removed BY my orders" qui
city answered the unknown.
"And who are you, sir, who thus dare u
give orders in the garden of Lorenzo the
Magnifcents"
"Follow me, and you shall learn,y said rh,
stranger.
81 shall certainly follow you, and obIg,
YOU to return me my faun's head"
"Perhaps You will be glad TO let il remain
where it is"
"We shall see."
eve shall see"
The stranger took the way TO the palac,
with the same calm and tranquil manner, ant
was preparing to ascend the grand staircase
when the young man, seizing his arm, will
an exclamation between timidity and anger
said:
w ncEC aAC gOu sOAAlsy SlE OO you tuiLi
TO penetrate thus, with impunity, into tn,
apartments of the prince Depend upon i
We shall get tnrned out"
But the unknown, without paying tn,
slightest attention to what the young MAJ
said, went on, and crossed the antechamber
The servants rose at his approach, and th,
guards saluted him with respect
Michael Angelo followed, with increasing
uneasiness.
"Can he hold some station in the palace .
thought he, rather uneasy at the idea. !" Ii
that case | am wrong in speaking so freely
Welll after all, my faun belongs to me, anC
he must return tit is my work. At al
events, can pay him for the marble"
The unknown trayersed the gallery and the
e saloon without the least impeachment.
= "The dewitt" thought Michael Angelo
"can he be the princes secretary? If so,
shall be in a nice predicament, after my i'm
pertinence to him. oh, what a blind fool
have beenp
The unknown now opened the door of q
chamber regally furnished, and rich with oh
jects of art of the greatest value.
The young sculptor paused on the thresh
old, speeches. and trembling; his boIdness
had quite forsaken him, and he gave himself
up as lost. He had certainly offended per.
son of immense power, when that person
could so unceremoniOusly enter the private
apartments Of Lorenzo de Medici, without
even being so much as announced. As he
endeavored to stammer forth few words OF
apology, he raised his eyes, and, to his aston.
ishment, beheld his faun's head resting ON a
rich pedestal
g.. -..l Al,