THE CREATION OF THE SUN AND MOON, AND OF THE TREES AND HERBS
SISTINE CHAPEL, ROME
(By permission of the Fratelli Alinari, Florence)
CHAPTER VI
THE VAULT OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL
Michael Angelo's work in Bologna well over, he returned to Florence upon March 18, 1508, and hired his house at Borgo Pinti from the Operai del Duomo, probably intending to proceed with the Twelve Apostles for that church. Michael Angelo's father now emancipated his son from parental control. The date of the document is March 13; it was entered in the State Archives upon March 28. According to the law of Florence a son was not of age until his father had executed this document. Michael Angelo appears to have had the idea of settling in Florence at this time, but "his Medusa," as he called the Pope, commanded the presence of his artist in Rome as soon as he heard that the work at Bologna was finished. Michael Angelo obeyed at once this time. We have a good account by his own hand of what happened when he arrived in Rome, his famous letter to Fattucci, written sixteen years later.
"To Ser Giovan Francesco Fattucci, in Rome.
"From Florence (January 1524).