Tell Lodovico that I have not replied to him because I
had not the time, and not to wonder if I do not write.
"MICHAEL ANGELO, Sculptor, in Rome."(113)
To the same.
_From_ ROME (_Oct. 1509_).
"BUONARROTO,--I hear by your last how that all are well, and how
Lodovico has another office. It all pleases me, and I encourage
him to accept it if it will allow him to return when necessary to
his post in Florence. I am here just as usual, and shall have
finished my painting by the end of next week, that is, the part of
it I began; and when I have uncovered it I believe I shall receive
my money, and I will endeavour again to get leave to come to you
for a month. I do not know whether it will be, but I need it for I
am not very well. I have no time to write more. I will tell you
what happens.
"MICHAEL ANGELO, Sculptor, in Rome."(114)
[Image #23]
THE DELPHIC SIBYL
SISTINE CHAPEL, ROME
(_Reproduced by permission from a photograph by Sig. D. Anderson, Rome_)
The work was exposed to view upon November 1, 1509. So at the longest
possible estimate of time from May 10, 1508, to November 1, 1509, Michael
Angelo took four hundred and sixty-two working days to paint it. The more
probable, in fact, almost certain estimate of the time occupied in
painting the fresco, as we now see it, is from the time his assistants
left him, about New Year's Day 1509, to November 1 in the same year, or
two hundred and thirty-four working days.
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