CHIEFLY EXTRACTS FROM THE FAMILY ARCHIVES.1 THE name of Lodovico di Leonardo Buonarroti Simoni, the father of Michelangelo, is almost banished from the pages of M. Clément, and rare mention is made of his family. Michelangelo's mother, Francesca di Neri, died two years after his birth, and there is no allusion to his step-mother in any of his letters. He accustomed himself to believe that he was related to the Canossa family, and used their arms. There was, however, no relationship. Still his family was noble, though his father was content to live in poverty. He had no trade, but lived on the small income derived from his property, and showed his pride in his objection. to his son's profession. While his son was in Rome, he led a life of hardship and discontent in Florence. Michelangelo's brothers would on their own account deserve little notice. Their appearance, however, is necessary in any history of him, as their behaviour is a shadow which brings out the lights in his character. 1 For a more complete account of the family of Buonarroti, see the excellent Life of Michelangelo, recently published by Mr. C. Heath Wilson. The eldest, Leonardo, a weakly man, became a Dominican monk. Then came Michelangelo. The third son of Lodovico was Buonarroto, whom his illustrious brother established in business. Through him the line of the Buonarroti was continued. He was in the public service in the time of Leo X., was made Count Palatine, and received various privileges from the Pope. He was Michelangelo's favourite brother and his principal correspondent. The fourth son was Giovansimone, the scapegrace of the family, undutiful to his father, and a great trouble to his brother. Of Sigismondo, the fifth son, little is known, save that he was a roving soldier, till he settled down and died, as a peasant, at Settignano. The family at Florence had a hard time of it, and were selfish enough to urge Michelangelo to give up the position which he was making for himself, and come to their help. Buonarroto is sent to explain their difficulties, and especially to describe the persecutions to which Leonardo was subjected by a mercer, one Consiglio. Michelangelo writes to his father, on the 19th August, 1497-he was twenty-two years of age, but still a minor, and under his father's control, according to Florentine law :- Let me know what you agree to give him, and I will send it. I will try to get it together, or borrow, so that you may Don't be surprised if not have to go to the pawnbroker. I am impatient sometimes. I have much provocation from many sources. I undertook a statue for Piero de' Medici, and bought the marble, but didn't begin it because he didn't keep his word, and so I am at work upon a figure upon my own account. I bought a piece of marble for five ducats, which turned out bad, and so I lost my money. So you may see that I have to spend much and to work hard, but you shall have what you want, if I sell myself for a slave. When Buonarroto went back, after staying with his brother for nearly three years, he brought the good news that Michelangelo proposed to set up Buonarroto and Giovansimone in business at Florence. Upon this the father writes, on the 19th December, 1500, to say how glad he was to find that he had saved money. He was looking out for a business for his brothers, according to his suggestion, but had not yet met with anything to satisfy him. He warns him against living too poorly. Economy is a good thing; but, above all things, no penury. Live moderately, and don't do too much, and keep yourself above want, for the sake of your art. If you fall ill, you will be a ruined man. Above all things, take care of your head; keep it tolerably warm, and never wash yourself. Get a rub down, but no washing. Buonarroto tells me that you have a swelling in your side; this comes of bad living and over work. I have had it myself. Take care, however, for it is dangerous. He ends by begging him to come to Florence-which he did, as we know, in 1501, bringing with him a reputation as the sculptor of the Cupid, the Bacchus, and the Pièta. It was in August of this year that he had the commission for the David, and in 1504 that he began his cartoon, in rivalry with Leonardo da Vinci, for the Hall of the Signory, upon which he was employed till early in 1505. There is a characteristic story told by an anonymous writer, dated 1510, which may claim a place here. Some men of importance disputing upon a passage from Dante, called Leonardo, who was passing, to explain it. Just then Michelangelo also coming in sight, Leonardo said that he would tell them what they wanted to know. Michelangelo fancied that he was being mocked, and replied angrily, Explain it yourself, you who drew a horse to be made in bronze, and gave it up because you couldn't cast it ;" and 66 |