Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/290

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We find it furthermore related that Michelagnolo at that time obtained the block of marble nine braccia high, which Pope Clement, in the contention between Baccio Bandinelli and himself, had promised to the former. This being now the property of the Commonwealth, he demanded it from the Gonfaloniere, who granted his request, although Baccio had already made his model and diminished the stone considerably by the commencement of his rough-hewn sketch. Michelagnolo now prepared a model on his part, which was considered a very fine one; but on the return of the Medici, the marble was restored to Bandinelli. The war having been brought to an end, Baccio Yalori, commissioner of the Pope, received orders to arrest and imprison some of the more zealous among the citizens, the Court itself causing Michelagnolo to be sought in his dwelling, but he, doubtful of their intentions, concealed himself in the house of a trusted friend, where he remained several days.

But when the first bitterness of resentment had subsided, Pope Clement, remembering the ability of Michelagnolo, commanded that he should be sought anew, but with orders that no reproaches should be addressed to him, nay, rather that he should have all his early appointments restored, and should proceed with the works of San Lorenzo, M. Giovambattista Figiovanni, an ancient servant of the house of Medici, and prior of San Lorenzo, being named superintendent of the work. Thus re-assured, Michelagnolo, to make a friend of Baccio Yalori, commenced a figure in marble of three braccia high; an Apollo namely, drawing an arrow from his quiver, but did not quite finish it; it is now in the apartments of the Prince of Florence, and although, as I have said, not entirely finished, is a work of extraordinary merit.

About this time there came to Michelagnolo a gentleman of the Duke Alfonso of Ferrara, who, having heard that the master had completed a beautiful work for him, and being unwilling to lose such a jewel, had sent the gentleman in question to secure it, who had no sooner arrived in Florence than he sought out our artist, to whom he presented the