Page:The painters of Florence from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century (1915).djvu/305

1519] 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 condition 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 lifelife. [sic] 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 Salaï 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, Salaï 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 expenses, which only amount to a few florins a week. But with his usual generosity we find Leonardo giving Salaï 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