Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/261

 1868.] Life and Times of 31ichacl Angelo. 217 by some exceedingly eminent critics it is reckoned inferior to the painting of Or- cagna, in the Campo Santo of Pisa. Michael Angelo designed painting the defeat and fall of the rebel angels, on the opposite wall ; but this was never executed. The Last Judgment was thrown open to the public, December 25, 1541. The great artist was then sixtj'- seven, and had been emploj'ed on the cartoons and paintings nearly nine years. While Michael Angelo had been en- gaged on the Last Day of Judgment, the Pope had built a small chapel enti- tled La Capella Paolina, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. The Conver- sion of the first, and the Crucifixion of the latter, by the great painter, decorate the sides of this section of St. Peter's. But greater honors were about to inure. In 1544, Paul III. named the great Florentine, as architect of St. Peter's. Michael Angelo was then in his seventieth year. The venerable artist at first refused, alleging great age ; but ultimately yielded to the solicitations of the pontiff, and agreed to undertake the work, on condition, that he was to receive no salary ; that he was to be at full liberty to discharge any of the work- men he might see fit ; and to make any alteration in the original plan he thought proper. The government willingly con- ceded all that was desired; and the work proceeded. Age had not impaired the faculties of the great Florentine ; and Michael Angelo, in his intervals of leisure, built a palace on the Capitoline Hill, for the Senators of Rome ; and two galleries, for the reception of ancient sculpture. He also completed the unfin- ished Farnese palace, and a flight of steps to the Convent of the Ara Coeli. "It was in the church to this convent, that Gibbon first thought of writing the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." Many and bitter enemies assailed the illustrious architect; and endeavored to dislodge him from his post, but use- lessly, for the court was too firmly convinced of his talents and integrity. He was also asked to build a bridge over the Tiber, where the Pons Pala- tums formerly stood ; but an opposing faction threw obstacles in his way, and the enterprise was confided to one Bigio, who was incompetent ; and, in"five years, the whole was swept away by a flood, as Michael Angelo had predicted. Two Popes had been called to their final account, since Michael Angelo first undertook the charge of St. Peter's. Pius IV. now grasped the crosier of St. Peter. Considerable progress had been made in the erection of St. Peter's, which was finished to the base of the cupola ; and a model of the dome was made. Want of money retarded all future operations for some time. Again did the foes of the mighty me- chanic labor to deprive him of the post ; but the pontiff declared that he should do entirely as he wished, and that all his plans should be carried out after his death. This ended the controversj'. But the life of the builder of St. Peter's was near its close ; and he expired, at Rome, on the 18th of February, 1564, at the age of ninety, saying to his attendants: "In your passage through life, remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ." The remains of Michael An- gelo were buried in Rome, but trans- ferred to Florence. A mass of requiem was solemnly celebrated in the church of St. Lorenzo; and a funeral oration pronounced by Varchi. The body now reposes in Santa Croce. The vault was opened in 1120, and the corpse was seen, clad in a green velvet gown and slippers. The house of Michael Angelo, at Florence — which was filled with works of art — has become the property of that city by the bequest of Signor Buonarotti, one of the great sculptor's descendants. As some opposition to the will was made by Signor Buona- rotti's heirs, the Tuscan government amicably settled the controversy for- ever, by paying them four thousand scudi. It is stated that among the