and the rather as he considered himself to he ill-treated by the Pope, whom he had served so faithfully when Julius was in a less exalted position: he had besides received a promise from the Pontiff to the effect that the fabric should be entrusted to himself. He consequently requested his dismissal. Nor did the fact that he was appointed the associate of Bramante, for other works, then to be executed in Rome, avail to change his purpose: he departed accordingly, after having received many gifts from the Pope, and once more returned to Florence.[1]
His arrival in his native city was exceedingly welcome to Piero Soderini, who instantly availed himself of his services. Nor had six months elapsed from his leaving Rome before he received a letter from Messer Bartolommeo della Rovere, nephew of the Pope, and a gossip of his own, who wrote, in the name of his Holiness, urging him, with many assurances of future advantage, to return to the papal court. But it was not possible to move Giuliano, either by the conditions offered or promises made, because he considered himself to have received an affront from the Pontiff: a letter was then despatched to Piero Soderini, exhorting him to use every method in his power, and by all means, to send Giuliano to Rome. His Holiness desired to complete the fortification of the great round tower which had been commenced by Nicholas V. as well as those of the Borgo and the Belvedere, with many other works, for all which he required the services of the Florentine architect. Giuliano suffered himself therefore to be at length persuaded by Soderini, and again proceeded to Rome, where he was received by Pope Julius with exceeding cordiality and many gifts.
Now it was about this time that the Bentivogli were driven out of Bologna, and the Pontiff thereupon repaired to that city. JVVhile there, he resolved, by the advice of Giuliano, who had accompanied him thither, to have a statue erected (representing the Pope himself), and which should be executed in bronze, by Michelagnolo Buonarroti; this was accordingly done, as will be related in the life
- ↑ The poor Giuliano was certainly to he pitied,” remarks Piacenza, in his additions to lialdinucci, “we are nevertheless not to censure the prudent decision of the Pope, who did well to choose the best architect he could tind for so important an undertaking.”
