There are several drawings in the Print Room of the
British Museum and the Windsor and Oxford Collections of this character
and period. One at Oxford was probably the original sent to Vittoria, but
all are of the same sacred inspiration; in fact, the religious element
becomes very strong indeed in all his later work, just as in the later
work of Titian. These artists had the near prospect of death in view, and
thus they turned their thoughts entirely to work from which they hoped for
reward in the world to come. The fear of hell was not without its
influence upon both of them.
Some of the drawings made by Michael Angelo for his friend, Tomaso
Cavalieri, are mentioned in one of Tomaso's letters, dated 1533.(156)
[Image #46]
THE CRUCIFIXION OF SAINT PETER
THE CHAPEL OF POPE PAUL, THE VATICAN, ROME
(_By permission of the Fratelli Alinari, Florence_)
"UNIQUE MY LORD,--Some days ago I received a letter from you, which
was very welcome, both because I learned by it that you are well,
and also because I can now be sure that you will soon return. I
was very sorry not to answer at once. However, when you know the
cause, you will hold me excused. On the day your letter reached me
I was very sick, and in such a high fever that I was at the point
of death; and verily I should have died if it had not revived me.
Since then, thank God, I have been well.
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