Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 5.djvu/99

Rh in Perugia was not advisable, since he was not learning anything there, Agnolo removed to Yolterra, having found a favourable opportunity for doing so, and there worked at the tomb of Messer Raffaello Maffei, called Il Volterrano and for this monument, which was in course of being executed in marble, Agnolo carved ornaments, which clearly showed that he would some day render himself remarkable, and produce works meriting remembrance.

That sepulchral monument being completed, Agnolo, hearing that Michelagnolo Buonarroti was then employing the best carvers and stone-cutters that he could find, for the buildings of the Sacristy and Library of San Lorenzo, —Agnolo, I say, departed from Yolterra and repaired to Florence, where he at once began to work. But he had no sooner done so, than Michelagnolo perceived that the youth, from whose hand he had seen various ornaments, was one of a bold spirit and excellent genius, who performed more work in one day than was produced by many older and more experienced masters in two, wherefore Buonarroti caused to be paid to him, though still but a mere boy, the same salary that was given to those of advanced age.

These buildings having been suspended in the year 1527, by the outbreak of the plague and other causes, Agnolo, not knowing what else to do with himself, set off for Poggibonzi, where his father and grandfather had received their birth, and there he remained for some time with his uncle, Messer Giovanni Norchiati, a pious and learned man,f in whose house he employed his time solely in drawing and studying. But finding that the world seemed all to be turning upside-down, he formed the resolution of becoming a monk, and devoting his time to the calm pursuits of the cloister and the salvation of his own soul; whereupon he betook himself to the Hermitage of Camaldoli. This life he tried for a time; but finding that he could not support the discomforts thereof, nor endure the perpetual fasts, and that abstinence from all the enjoyments of life which was there Bottari.
 * A man renowned for his learning and the excellence of his life. —

t Chaplain, and afterwards canon of San Lorenzo as will be seen hereafter.— Ibid.