io representing a vintage scene, in which a nymph fills with grapes
a basket supported on the head of a companion.

Under each of the Prophets and Sibyls, upon the side walls, is a
decorative putto supporting the name plate, standing at the springing of
the arches, as in Donatello's bas-relief representing Christ before
Pilate, in the pulpit of San Lorenzo. These ten beautiful figures are
seldom noticed, but evidently Raphael thought them worthy of study, as may
be seen in the lovely child-figure attributed to him in the Accademia di
San Lucca.

[Image #31]

JUDITH WITH THE HEAD OF HOLOFERNES

SISTINE CHAPEL, ROME
(_By permission of Messrs. Braun, Clement & Co., in Dornach, Alsace_)

The whole vault contains hardly one unworthy human being, the only sins
they commit are the Sins of Adam and of Ham, necessary for the story. They
are all beautiful and all holy. Can Michael Angelo have had any thought of
the doom of these his creations, as exemplified by him on the altar wall,
twenty-two years afterwards? The great work was finished, the public saw
it, and, as Michael Angelo says, "the Pope was very well pleased."

CHAPTER VII

THE RISEN CHRIST OF THE MINERVA

Julius II. died on February 21, 1513. He will ever be remembered as the
man who compelled Michael Angelo to paint the Sistine vault. He was the
best friend Michael Angelo ever had, notwithstanding their bickerings, and
he understood him as no one ever did afterwards; but he bequeathed to him
the Tragedy of the Tomb. In 1514 Michael Angelo signed the agreement for a
new commission:--

"Deed with Michael Angelo for the figure in marble(119) of a Risen Christ
for the Church of the Minerva, in Rome. The 14 day of June, 1514. Let it
be known and manifest to whoever reads this scrip, how Messere Bernardo
Cencio, Canon of St. Peter's, and Messeri Mario Scappucci and Metello
Vari, have ordered Michael Angelo di Lodovico Simoni, Sculptor, to carve a
figure in marble of Christ as large as life, nude, standing, bearing a
cross, in whatever attitude the said Michael Angelo thinks good, for the
price of two hundred gold ducats of the Camera, to be paid in this manner,
that is to say: At the present time one hundred and fifty gold ducats of
the Camera, and the remainder, that is fifty similar ducats, the said
Messeri Mario and Metello delli Vari promise to pay w