Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-06

like worthless person; that this was
a mode-of treatment his faithful SER
vice had not merited, and concludes by
the declaration that the Holy Father
may seek elsewhere for some one who
should serve him better.
For three months he remains in
Florence, the Pope meantime sending
frequent briefs to the Gonfaloniere're-
questing that Michel Angelo be sent
back to Rome. This is finally accom-
pished by investing the artist with the
character of ambassador, which war
rants him a reception due to the rank
Of minister from the Florentine Repub-
lie. The meeting takes place at Be-
logna, whittier the Pope has journeyed
in the prosecution Of some Of his wal
measures. Accompanied by Bishop.
Michel Angelo enters the presence OF
His Holiness and kneels before him.
The Pontiff, looking with an angry
countenance upon him, says: "Instead of
coming to us, it appears that thou
hast been waiting till we should come
to thee" The artist confesses that be
had acted in anger, and the Bishop
thinking to help matters, remarks that
such men are always ignorant of mat
tiers out Of their vocation, whereupon
the Pope falls into a great rage, strik-
ing the Bishop with a stick hehasin his
hand, and as some say, exclaiming:
"'Tis thou that art the ignoramus,
with the impertinences thou art pour
ing forth, and which are such as we
should ourselves not think of uttering."
Others deny the infiction of blows,
making the Pope designate the Bishop
as an Ignorant, - and bidding him
"Get out of my sight and be hanged to
thee
1t is not difficult to believe Yasari's
account of the chastisement, since
Julius [. Is known to have employed
such means Of correction in other in
stances. Even Michel Angelo did not
wholly escape such expressions Of
papal wrath. On one occasion, when
he was engaged upon the work in the
Sistine chapel, he requested permission
Of his Holiness to pass the festival of
San Giovanni In Florence, when Pope
Julius said: "Well, but when viii this
chapel be fnished?" when l can,
Holy Father" replied the artist, where
upon the Pope struck him with staff
he had in his hand, exclaimiDg, when
1 can-when l canr I'll make thee
finish it, and quickly, as thou shalt see"
The artist had scarcely reached his
dwelling before there came a chamber
lain from the Pontiff with five huadred
crowns as q peaee-offering. Generally
the Pope's impotence did not avail
much in fastening the work in which
he was so deeply interested. He was
inquiring when the chapel
would be completed. Once Michel An
gelo replied, 1T viii be finished when
I shall have done all that I believe re-
quired TO satisfy art. F" "And We com
mand, said the Pontiff, ''tlfat you sat
isfy our wish and have it done quickly"
Then be threatened to have the artist
thrown from the scafioIding. The lat
ter labored with great inconvenience,
having the face turned upwards, and
with such great injury to his eyes that
for several months after the completion
Of this work he could neither read let
tiers nor examine drawings except in
the same attitude of looking upwards.
Another artist, writing of the matter,
did not know how Michel Angelo en-
dured it SO well; that for his own part
he had always suffered from having
painted five apartments in the palace
of Duke Cosimo, though he had a seat
made with a support for the head and
laid down to his work.
The paintings Of the Sistine chapel
were completed in twenty months, the
great master complaining that be was
unable to give such perfection Of finish
to the work as he desired, owing to the
of the Pope to see the re-
suit. Often he was obliged to assist
His Holiness in climbing the ladders
to look at the work. When it was half
done, the Pope resolved that the scat
folding should be removed and the
chapel opened for public exhibition.
Michel Angelo was obliged to
and the people thronged
5hither, the Pope leading the
7an, before the dust caused by
the scaffoiJing had sub
'ided, as some say, and others that the
,onoourse Of people stirred into a
loud the dust lying undisturbed be-
ore. Through the Pontiff's persua.
iions and threats, he fastened the con-
,lusion unsatisfactory to himself. The
Of the soaffolding was taken
Town and mass was celebrated in the
chapel on All-Saints' Day. The artist
lad greatly desired 20 retouch some
portions of the work, adding a little
lltra-marine to some of the draperies,
md gliding other parts,t to give a richer
nd more striking effect to the
whole, and the Pope afterwards wished !
his might be done, but Michael Angelo
bought it would require too much time !
o reconstruct the scaffolding, and |
when julius II would ask to have the |
hapel farther enriched with bright |
olors and gold, would reply: "Holy |
Father, the men Of those days did not |
dorm themselves with gold; those who
re painted here less than any, forthey |
7ere none too rich; besides which, they |
we're holy men, and must have despised |
iches and ornaments"
The chapel had been completed but