Page:The Life of Michael Angelo.djvu/64

 Such were the two men whom the gonfaloniere Soderini set in opposition over a common work: the decoration of the Council Chamber of the Palace of the Seigniory. A singular combat this between the two greatest forces of the Renaissance! In May 1504 Leonardo began his cartoon of the "Battle of Anghiari." In August 1504 Michael Angelo received a commission for the cartoon of the "Battle of Cascina." Florence was divided into two camps. Time has equalised everything—both works have disappeared.

In March 1505 Michael Angelo was summoned to Rome by Julius II. Then began the heroic period of his life. Both of them violent and majestic, the Pope and the artist were made to agree, when they did not violently