Michael Angelo's intention may be realised at the back of the present
building, and his work best judged as one walks round the great mass of
masonry to the old entrance to the Sculpture Galleries of the Vatican.
Those who approach Rome in the best way at present open to the newcomer,
by the light railway line from Viterbo, get a magnificent view of the
cupola, apparently rising out of a green hillside, just before they enter
the Eternal City, and then, on their way to the Trastevere station, they
pass behind the building and get their first impression of St. Peter's
from Michael Angelo's own work.(160)
Michael Angelo began his work by pulling down much of Sangallo's
construction, and by severely repressing all sorts of jobbery in
connection with the supply of materials.
Michael Angelo states in a letter to Cardinal Ridolfo Pio of Carpi,(161)
that the study of the nude human figure is necessary to an architect. If
he had also stated that it was an essential to all art workers, many good
judges would have agreed with him.
"MOST REVEREND MONSIGNOR,--When a plan has divers parts all those
which are of one type in quality and quantity have to be decorated
in the same fashion and in the same style, and similarly their
counterparts. But when the plan changes form altogether it is not
only allowable but necessary to change the said adornments and
likewise their counterparts. The intermediate parts are always as
free as you like, just as the nose, which stands in the middle of
the face, is not obliged to correspond with either of the eyes;
but one hand is obliged to be like the other, and one eye must be
as its fellow, because they balance each other.
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