DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32873#0260
i/6 LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI [BK. i
lain; these two, that is to say, Michele and Pompeo, be-
gan telling the Pope that they had seen my model,
and that it seemed to them that I was not a fit instru-
ment to perform so wondrous an undertaking. To this
the Pope replied that he also must see it; then if I were
not fit, he would seek out some one who was. They both
said that they had several admirable designs for this very
thing. To which the Pope replied that he was very glad
to hear it, but that he did not wish to see them before
I had finished my model; then he would look at every-
thing together. In the course of a few days I had com-
pleted the model, and on taking it one morning to the
Pope, that Misser Traiano made me wait, and at the
same time sent in haste for Micheletto and Pompeo,
telling them to bring the drawings. When they had
arrived we were all admitted; whereupon Michele and
Pompeo immediately began to spread out their draw-
ings, and the Pope to examine them. And since the
draughtsmen were unused to the art of jewellery they
did not understand the positions (suitable) for precious
stones; still less had they who were jewellers explained
to them that it is necessary for a jeweller when figures
are to be introduced amid his precious stones to know
how to compose, otherwise no good result can follow.
For which reason in all these designs they had adjusted
that wonderful diamond in the centre of the breast of
that (figure of) God the Father. The Pope, since he was
(a man) of very excellent taste, when he saw this very
thing, was not at all pleased at it. And when he had
looked at about ten (of the designs), throwing the rest
upon the ground, he said to me, who was standing there
apart: " Show me here your model, Benvenuto, in order
lain; these two, that is to say, Michele and Pompeo, be-
gan telling the Pope that they had seen my model,
and that it seemed to them that I was not a fit instru-
ment to perform so wondrous an undertaking. To this
the Pope replied that he also must see it; then if I were
not fit, he would seek out some one who was. They both
said that they had several admirable designs for this very
thing. To which the Pope replied that he was very glad
to hear it, but that he did not wish to see them before
I had finished my model; then he would look at every-
thing together. In the course of a few days I had com-
pleted the model, and on taking it one morning to the
Pope, that Misser Traiano made me wait, and at the
same time sent in haste for Micheletto and Pompeo,
telling them to bring the drawings. When they had
arrived we were all admitted; whereupon Michele and
Pompeo immediately began to spread out their draw-
ings, and the Pope to examine them. And since the
draughtsmen were unused to the art of jewellery they
did not understand the positions (suitable) for precious
stones; still less had they who were jewellers explained
to them that it is necessary for a jeweller when figures
are to be introduced amid his precious stones to know
how to compose, otherwise no good result can follow.
For which reason in all these designs they had adjusted
that wonderful diamond in the centre of the breast of
that (figure of) God the Father. The Pope, since he was
(a man) of very excellent taste, when he saw this very
thing, was not at all pleased at it. And when he had
looked at about ten (of the designs), throwing the rest
upon the ground, he said to me, who was standing there
apart: " Show me here your model, Benvenuto, in order