DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61542#0398
344
MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI [i475-
next five years in Rome, working for different patrons.
The admirable statue of Bacchus in the Bargello, and
the beautiful Pieta in St. Peter’s in Rome, both belong
to this period, and were executed in the last years of
the century, the one for the banker Jacopo Gallo, the
other for the Abbot of St. Denis, the French envoy
at the papal court. The Madonna of Bruges, another
marble group, which combines the sweetness and
devotion of the early Tuscan sculptors with Michel-
angelo’s knowledge of form and masterly execution,
and the unfinished circular bas-reliefs of Madonnas in
the Bargello, and at Burlington House, were probably
carved soon after the artist’s return to Florence in
1501.
While Michelangelo was engaged on these works,
his father and brother found themselves in great
difficulties, and their importunate appeals were the
chief cause of his return from Rome. On the expul-
sion of the Medici, Lodovico had lost a small post
in the customs, which had been given him by Lorenzo,
and his idle and incapable sons were always com-
plaining of poverty, and writing begging letters to
their absent brother. The more he gave, the more
they demanded, and their ingratitude and rapacity
excited Michelangelo’s bitterest indignation. But
they always turned to him for help and advice,
and nothing is more remarkable in the great man’s
character than his constant affection for these worth-
less relatives. His correspondence with his father
and brother begins in 1497, and gives us many
interesting details regarding his habits and peculiari-
ties. Lodovico repeatedly begs him to consider his
health, and not to live in so penurious a manner.
MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI [i475-
next five years in Rome, working for different patrons.
The admirable statue of Bacchus in the Bargello, and
the beautiful Pieta in St. Peter’s in Rome, both belong
to this period, and were executed in the last years of
the century, the one for the banker Jacopo Gallo, the
other for the Abbot of St. Denis, the French envoy
at the papal court. The Madonna of Bruges, another
marble group, which combines the sweetness and
devotion of the early Tuscan sculptors with Michel-
angelo’s knowledge of form and masterly execution,
and the unfinished circular bas-reliefs of Madonnas in
the Bargello, and at Burlington House, were probably
carved soon after the artist’s return to Florence in
1501.
While Michelangelo was engaged on these works,
his father and brother found themselves in great
difficulties, and their importunate appeals were the
chief cause of his return from Rome. On the expul-
sion of the Medici, Lodovico had lost a small post
in the customs, which had been given him by Lorenzo,
and his idle and incapable sons were always com-
plaining of poverty, and writing begging letters to
their absent brother. The more he gave, the more
they demanded, and their ingratitude and rapacity
excited Michelangelo’s bitterest indignation. But
they always turned to him for help and advice,
and nothing is more remarkable in the great man’s
character than his constant affection for these worth-
less relatives. His correspondence with his father
and brother begins in 1497, and gives us many
interesting details regarding his habits and peculiari-
ties. Lodovico repeatedly begs him to consider his
health, and not to live in so penurious a manner.