the name of Clement VII., reigned over him from 1520 to 1534.
Critics have been very severe on Clement VII. Doubtless, like all these Popes, he wished to make art and artists the servants of his family pride. But Michael Angelo had no great reason for complaining of him. No Pope loved him so much. Not one of the Popes showed a more constant and passionate interest in his work.[1] Not one of them understood better his weakness of will, taking, if need be, his defence against himself and preventing him from wasting his energies in vain. Even after the revolt of Florence and the rebellion of Michael Angelo, Clement in no way changed in his disposition towards him.[2] But it did not depend upon him to appease the disquietude, fever, pessimism and deadly melancholy which consumed this great heart. What signified the personal kindness of a master? He was always a master!
"I served the Popes," said Michael Angelo later, "but it was under compulsion."[3]
What signified a little glory and one or two fine works? That was so far removed from what he had dreamed!… And old age was coming on. And everything
- ↑ In 1526 Michael Angelo was to write to him once a week.
- ↑ "He adores everything you do," wrote Sebastiano del Piombo to Michael Angelo. "He loves as much as it is possible to love. He speaks of you so honourably, and with so much affection, that a father would not say of his son all that he says of you…" (April 29, 1531.) "If you would come to Rome, you could be anything you liked—duke or king … You would have your share in this papacy, of which you are the master, and with which you can do what you like." (December 5, 1531.) In reading these statements, we must, in truth, make allowance for Sebastiano del Piombo's Venetian propensity for boasting.
- ↑ Letter from Michael Angelo to his nephew Leonardo (1548).
