The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Novel of Michelangelo

Shortly after the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is complete, Pope Julius II dies. His heir, the Duke of Urbino, wants Michelangelo to finish the sculptures for the tomb. Cardinal Giovanni de’ Medici is elected as the new Pope, becoming Pope Leo X. He is well liked, and Michelangelo is relieved that a Medici and apparent ally is now in charge. He attends the celebration for the election of the new Pope and is pleased to be able to work on the marble statues for the dead Pope’s tomb. The Sistine Chapel brings Michelangelo much renown. Many artists study his work, though a small group associated with Raphael are very disparaging. Rather than fight back against them, Michelangelo helps an unknown painter named Sebastiano to win commissions that might otherwise have been awarded to Raphael. Michelangelo has no interest in entering these competitions himself, but he allows Sebastiano to submit Michelangelo’s designs as his own, thus beating Raphael. Contessina now lives in Rome, and she immediately sees through this ploy. Michelangelo defends his “hoax” (560). Many people are praising his work now, he says, including his old rival, Leonardo.

Pope Leo’s court in Rome resembles his father’s court in Florence, filled with artists and intellectuals.