As it happened, news of Leonardo’s silver lyre had reached Lorenzo de’ Medici. All Leonardo’s paintings, all his designs for cannons and fortifications, all his inventions for commercial machinery had failed to interest Lorenzo—yet this single musical oddity excited the ruler’s curiosity. Leonardo was summoned to the Medici palace.
Lorenzo was enchanted both by the instrument and Leonardo’s musical talent. When Leonardo had finished playing, Lorenzo, surrounded by members of his court, applauded and said,
“It would please us if Master Leonardo da Vinci would present us with this beautiful instrument so that we, in turn, could make a gift of it to His Highness, Ludovico Sforza, of Milan.”
Leonardo bowed and replied,
“Your Grace’s request is my pleasure. Moreover, Sire, it would further that pleasure to bear the gift myself to His Excellency in Milan.”
The idea delighted Lorenzo. He immediately directed that Leonardo be given a letter to Ludovico and that every protection be given Leonardo for his journey.
Leonardo, with the silver lyre and the letter of recommendation, hurried home to make his final preparations. He called on a friend and pupil, young Atalante Migliorotti, to accompany him.
Toward the end of 1482 or the beginning of 1483, with the letter to Ludovico folded in a leather pouch, Leonardo and Atalante mounted their horses and left Florence for the long journey to Milan.
5
Milan
