DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61542#0311
1519] LIFE IN FLORENCE 261
both he and Michelangelo received a commission
to prepare plans for the decoration of the Council
Hall in the Palazzo Pubblico. The subject assigned
to Leonardo was the battle between the Florentines
and Milanese at Anghiari, in 1440, and the Signory
agreed to pay him fifteen florins a month, on con-
dition that his cartoon was finished by the following
February. During the next ten months Leonardo
worked with unceasing ardour at his new task. The
subject appealed to him in an especial manner, and
the sense of rivalry with the young and famous artist
Michelangelo impelled him to put forth all his powers.
His account-books at this time bear witness to the
simplicity of his habits and frugality of his daily life
After the splendour and luxury of the Milanese court,
we find him living in rooms near the Pope’s hall at
Santa Maria Novella, doing his own housekeeping,
and sending out his favourite pupil Sala! with a florin
to buy provisions for the day. After paying the
shoemaker and barber, and laying in a store of bread
wine, grapes, and mushrooms, Salai brought back three
soldi. This was on a Friday; on other days the
bill of fare included meat, eggs, salad, butter and
melons. The hire of horses and purchase of cooking
utensils and dishes are included in these modest ex-
penses, which only amount to a few florins a week.
But with his usual generosity we find Leonardo
giving Salai three florins for a pair of rose-coloured
stockings, and green velvet and silver cloth to make
a new mantle, and advancing a considerable sum
for his sister’s dowry. Of wealth and pleasure, of
honours and rewards, the master was singularly
independent. “ O poverty of man ! ” he exclaims in
both he and Michelangelo received a commission
to prepare plans for the decoration of the Council
Hall in the Palazzo Pubblico. The subject assigned
to Leonardo was the battle between the Florentines
and Milanese at Anghiari, in 1440, and the Signory
agreed to pay him fifteen florins a month, on con-
dition that his cartoon was finished by the following
February. During the next ten months Leonardo
worked with unceasing ardour at his new task. The
subject appealed to him in an especial manner, and
the sense of rivalry with the young and famous artist
Michelangelo impelled him to put forth all his powers.
His account-books at this time bear witness to the
simplicity of his habits and frugality of his daily life
After the splendour and luxury of the Milanese court,
we find him living in rooms near the Pope’s hall at
Santa Maria Novella, doing his own housekeeping,
and sending out his favourite pupil Sala! with a florin
to buy provisions for the day. After paying the
shoemaker and barber, and laying in a store of bread
wine, grapes, and mushrooms, Salai brought back three
soldi. This was on a Friday; on other days the
bill of fare included meat, eggs, salad, butter and
melons. The hire of horses and purchase of cooking
utensils and dishes are included in these modest ex-
penses, which only amount to a few florins a week.
But with his usual generosity we find Leonardo
giving Salai three florins for a pair of rose-coloured
stockings, and green velvet and silver cloth to make
a new mantle, and advancing a considerable sum
for his sister’s dowry. Of wealth and pleasure, of
honours and rewards, the master was singularly
independent. “ O poverty of man ! ” he exclaims in