ndows. The following receipts for the plaster, or for rough-coating the
vault, show that painting cannot have begun so early as has been
assumed:(105)

[Image #16]

THE CREATION OF EVE

SISTINE CHAPEL, ROME

"In the name of God, the 11th day of May, 1508.

"I, Piero di Jacopo Roselli, Master Mason, have this day received,
the 11th of May as above said, from Michael Angelo Bonaroti,
Sculptor, ten ducats in gold, full weight, on account of
'Scialbatura' on the vault of Pope Sixtus, and for rough
plastering in his chapel, and doing that which was needful by
order of Pope Julius; and in faith of the truth I have done this
with my own hand, this day above said. Ducats 10 of gold, full
weight."

This payment was made by Michael Angelo. The second receipt of Rosselli
for fifteen ducats was made out on May 24, to Francesco Granacci, so he
was already in Rome, helping his friend. The next payment of ten ducats
was also made by Granacci on June 3, and another on June 10. On July 17
Michael Angelo himself paid the mason; so Granacci had gone to Florence by
then to hire the other assistants. On July 27 Michael Angelo paid Rosselli
thirty golden ducats, full weight, for rough plastering and other details.
The amount paid, and the time taken, go to prove that the whole vault was
plastered. Granacci(106) wrote from Florence about the assistants. Heath
Wilson gives a literal translation of his rather bewildering letter.

"VERY DEAR FRIEND,--I recommend myself and wish you infinite
health. This is to your Excellency, as to-day I met Raffaelino,
the painter, and gathered from him in fine that if you have need
of him he will come at your bidding, should you be pleased to pay
him the salary which he has received from the Master Pietro Matteo
d'Amelia, who, he says, gave him ten ducats a month. Ever faithful
to your Excellency, I give the advice as from myself. If you have
need to employ him, offer him your amount of salary; he is ready
to do what you may command as to work. He is a good master and
honest. And if for me there is anything, advise me, for I am
always here to do for you those things which are useful and
honourable. If I can do one thing more than another let me know; I
will do it with love and solicitude. Nothing more. Christ have you
in h