TO OBTAIN A PICTURE

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do what you wish, and from this time forth we are ready
to do your service and pleasure, hoping to receive an
answer in the affirmative.” Mantua, May 14, 1504.
On the 27th of May, Angelo del Tovaglia
replied:—
“ I received the letter of Your Highness, to-
gether with the one for Leonardo da Vinci, to
whom I presented it, and at the same time tried to
persuade and induce him, with powerful reasons, to
oblige Your Excellency by painting the little figure
of Christ, according to your request. He has
promised me without fail to paint it in such times
and hours as he can snatch from the work on which
he is engaged for this Signory. I will not fail to
entreat Leonardo, and also Perugino, as to the other
subject. Both make liberal promises, and seem to
have the greatest wish to serve Your Highness.
Nevertheless, I think it will be a race between
them which is the slower! I hardly know which
of the two is likely to win, but expect Leonardo
will be the conqueror. All the same, I will do my
utmost.”
Angelo’s prophecy was destined to be fulfilled to
the letter. More than a year passed away before
Perugino’s picture found its way to Mantua, while
neither the honest merchant’s entreaties nor the
charming Marchesa’s honeyed words were able to
move Leonardo to action. Once more, on the 30th
of October, Isabella wrote to Angelo, with a second
letter to Leonardo, gently reminding him of his
promise.
“ You sent me word by Messer Angelo some
time ago that you would gladly satisfy my great
desire. But the large number of orders which you