popular belief that it was unlucky to build one's tomb during one's lifetime. And he succeeded not only in detaching him from his rival's projects but in substituting his own for them. In January 1506 Julius II. decided to rebuild St. Peter's. The mausoleum was abandoned, and Michael Angelo found himself not only humiliated but indebted for the expenses which he had incurred for the work.[1] He complained bitterly. The Pope closed his door to him, and, on the sculptor returning to the charge, Julius had him driven from the Vatican by one of his grooms.
A bishop of Lucca, who witnessed the scene, said to the man:
"Are you aware as to who this is?"
"Pardon me, sir," said the groom to Michael Angelo," but I have an order not to let you enter, and it is my duty to obey my orders."
Returning home, Michael Angelo wrote to the Pope as follows: "Holy Father! I was driven from the Palace this morning by order of your Holiness. I beg to inform you that if you need me you will have to seek me everywhere else but in Rome."
Sending off this letter, he called in a dealer and a marble-cutter who lodged with him and said to them:
"Find a Jew, sell everything in my house, and come to Florence." He then mounted his horse and set off.[2] When the
- ↑ When the Pope changed his mind and the ships arrived with the marble from Carrara, I had to pay the freight myself. At the same time the marble-cutters, for whom I had sent to Florence, arrived in Rome; and as I had furnished and fitted up for them the house which Julius had given me behind Santa Caterina, I found myself without money and in great embarrassment..." (Letter already quoted, October 1542.)
- ↑ April 17, 1506.
