Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-09-29
The First Work of Michael Angelo


in Tuscany, in 1474. He was put out to nurse
to the wife of sculptor, and may, therefore,
be saiG to have sucked sculpture in his very
milk
He entered the studio of Ghirlaudajo at the
age of thirteen, and performed teats une-
uualled in the annals of art. He seldom had
his work corrected, and his copy always sur
passed the original His master being a su-
uerior man himself, and capable of appreci-
ating talent wherever found, encouraged his
pupil in these developments of youthful ex-
celence. 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 years. Michael Angelo had therefore to
endure their ill-treatment.
Once our youthful artist took occasion TO
criticise the design of one of his fellow work
men, and thereupon he received such blow-
from the exasperated man, that it broke the
cartilage of his n0se-from which cause itro
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
their antique beauty, an instructive jealousy
prompted him, not only to initiate but to cx-
eel these exquisite productions. Procuring a
block Of marble, he Invested himself of his
outer garment, and, Selling chisel and ham
mer, he began the outlines of a faun's head
The studio of his former master was de-
serted by him, to the no small qualification of
his fellows, who reoiced 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, man of about forty, ex-
ceedingly 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 ad-
yancing, laid his hand on the young Sculptor's
shoulder.
Friend" said he, with Il smile, {" will you
allow me to make Que remark ?"
Michael Ange.o turned round with assur-
ance, and with air combining contempt
and insOlenCe.
{" A remark You ," said he, slowly.
Or, i'll other words, if you like it better,
criticism" continued the stranger.
On my faun's head"
"On your faun's head" quietly answered
the unknown.
And pray who are you, sir, who thus as
sumo rlSht to crincise my labor =
1t can matter very little to you who
am, II my criticism Is correct" said the
stranger.
ANA "n" Is TO decide between us which
Vi Inc TWO Is ti5hI
1ourseit, II you WISH IT,
wen, SIR let us, us hear speak said Mi,
chael Angelo, toidlng ms arms with an air OF
defiance.
nave you nor intended to represent the
sflnhlilg heao Oh an oid fa"h asked the
stranger.
Certalhly-that Is easy enough to DC
seen.
" Gil, SuSseSIe" the criuc smiling,
"neio u" you ever see all oio man with Il
Po1no"' oeO vi 'e''"
lne you,lS man te"ucIcu up 10 the eyes at
inns re!lldih, ana OIL ms up with Vexatlon.
me crlnclsm was Just one; and, waiting
till LIS ll1VerioIutor hau disappeared, he took
ms cniSel' ald' WIN couple OF blows, he
Nlo.heu ouI5 TWO ot 'i,c i"Nh teeth. AS IL
WAS now growing late, he resolved 10 return
tn' next oay' ana put Il hhismng stroke to
MS nv morh; -
Inc following morning, at an early hour,
Angelo repaired to the garden; but, to his
great surprise, his taun he'd disappeared, and
IT'S place was posted the stranger OF the
oay before.
where Is my mead anGriiy asked the
Young sculptor.
II mas oeel removed oy my orders 4ul
e"l ans" eleu Tue ui'Ai'o"h'
ana VINO are you' sir, VINO thus dare tt
give orders IN the garden OF Lorenzo the
hagnincent ::
Follow me, and you shall learn, sa'' the
stranger.
shatl certainly follow you, ari obligt
So" 10 70 return me my 1aun mead;
eihapS you VIII De Siau 10 let 1t remain
where 1t is"
", e snaii see
we snail see
Inc stranger took the way to the palace
win the same calm and tranquil manner, anC
was preparing to ascend the grand staircase
when the young man, selling his arm, witt
an exclamation between timidity and anger
said:
here are you going, sir Do you think
10 penetrate thus, with lmpunity, into the
apartments OF the prince? Depend upon il
we snail get turned out"
But the unknown, without paying the
slightest attention to what the Young man
said, went on, and crossed the antechamber
The servants rose at his approach, and the
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. III
Nhnx nf-f,, L