Forbes Classic Business Letters - (2) (Chinese-English Bilingual Edition)

Author: Brun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Michelangelo's letter to the Pope, the architect "second to none in the world," Michelangelo's magnificent paintings created for Rome's Vatican, which were finally made public after tense, difficult, and highly politicized negotiations—Michelangelo was not the initial winner. In his twenties, Michelangelo proposed to Pope Julius II to paint a massive fresco titled "The Tragedy of the Tomb." His genius as an artist had already attracted attention in Rome. Although the Pope liked his proposal, his chief architect Bramante stopped Michelangelo's work shortly after he began, as Bramante wanted his nephew Raphael to create the masterpiece. Michelangelo was furious at Bramante's interference and left Rome for Florence, where he wrote the following letter to another architect of the Pope, proposing conditions for his return to Rome to complete the painting. Pope Julius II threatened to go to war to bring Michelangelo back. However, after his return, Michelangelo was forced to paint a ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel depicting the Creation and the Fall of Man. A year later, the Pope died, but his successor did not allow Michelangelo to complete his original proposed "The Tragedy of the Tomb." Pope Paul III ordered Michelangelo to paint "The Last Judgment" on the walls of the Sistine Chapel. On May 2, 1506, to Giuliano, the Florentine architect of the Pope:
Giuliano, from your letter, I learned that the Pope was greatly displeased with my departure, and now he agrees to give me control of the funds to continue the painting we discussed; furthermore, I can return without any worries. The truth is that I left because last Saturday, I heard that the Pope, while dining with jewelers and the high altar server, said he would no longer spend a single penny on stone, whether large or small, which greatly surprised me. However, before leaving, I asked him to allocate some funds to continue my work, and His Holiness the Pope replied that I should come again the following Monday. I went on Monday, and then on Tuesday, Wednesday, and even Thursday—just as His Holiness the Pope has seen with his own eyes—until on the morning of Friday, I was turned away, that is, I was kicked out. The person who refused me said he knew who I was and had been ordered not to let me in. Since I heard those words on Saturday and later saw them fulfilled, I lost all hope. But these are not the only reasons I left. There is another reason, but I do not wish to write it in this letter; all of this is enough to make me believe that if I stay in Rome, my tomb will be prepared before the Pope's. Therefore, I had no choice but to leave without saying goodbye. Now you are writing to me on behalf of the Pope, and you must also read my letter to the Pope in the same way. I hope Your Holiness the Pope understands.