I have
heard nothing and do not know where he wishes it to be built. True,
Stefano talked to me about it, but I did not give my mind to it. When he
returns from Carrara I will inform myself about it from him, and will do
all I can, although it is not my profession."
Clement, who really seems to have had a regard for the artist, and wished
to bind him to his interests, desired to provide for him for life. If
Michael Angelo would have consented to make the vows of celibacy he would
have given him an ecclesiastical appointment, failing that he offered him
a pension. Michael Angelo only asked for fifteen ducats a month. Fattucci,
on January 13, 1524, rebuked him for this modesty, and wrote that "Jacopo
Salviati has given orders that Spina should be instructed to pay you a
monthly provision of fifty ducats." A house also was assigned to him at
San Lorenzo, rent free, that he might be near his work. Stefano di Tomaso,
miniatore, was Michael Angelo's right-hand man at this time, and his name
continually recurs in the Ricordi. He was not altogether a satisfactory
servant, and in April 1524, Antonio Mini seems to have taken his place.
This helps us to date the roofing of the sacristy of San Lorenzo, as in an
undated letter to Pope Clement Michael Angelo says that Stefano finished
the lantern and it was universally admired. This is the work of which it
is recorded that when folk told Michael Angelo it would be better than the
lantern of Brunelleschi, he replied: "Different, perhaps; but better, no!"
In the British Museum there is a drawing with a bit of advice to young
artists, personified in his new pupil, Antonio Mini.
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