P 1 :KsF
0521551331 c 01 b CUNY 160 /Joannides 052155 133 1 January 11 , 2007 6 : 36
148 WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY AUTOGRAPH SHEETS CATALOGUE 25Condition
Many inherent wrinkles run vertically through the sheet.
There are numerous edge nicks and some losses, repaired
tears, and toned infills are visible. There is edge abra-
sion, skinning, and adhesive residues, with a diagonal scuff
mark, general discolouration, and foxing. There are pulp
imperfections.Description and Inscription
Recto
A.Probably in Michelangelo’s hand:
adi16digugnio porta monagniola
...ve(n)tuno soldi al fornaio e chomi(n)cio taglie[nella
sagrestia?]
...nuova nel 1524B.Athree-bay two-story tomb with a sarcophagus below,
the central bay occupied by a seated figure in an act of
benediction and an indication in the right-hand bay of
astanding figure. At the upper centre, the lower section
of a rectangle is probably but not certainly part of the
structure.Drawn with the right side of the sheet as the base
C.Abust, the arms perhaps attached behind, the head
turned slightly down to its right.Drawn with the left side of the sheet as the base
D.Alightly indicated bust, the head turned in left profile.Cand D seem to have been drawn after B.Verso
Anude standing figure, seen from a low angle in left
profile, the left leg bent, the left arm bent with the hand
supported on the waist, the right arm placed across the
body with the hand resting on the left knee, the head
turned to the left, looking down.Discussion
Many different schemes and components were considered
during the planning stage of the Medici Tombs in the
New Sacristy of San Lorenzo, and new proposals inter-
vened even after a final plan seemed to have been estab-
lished. Reassessment of the graphic material surviving
either in Michelangelo’s original drawings or in copies
has shown that complications were greater than had pre-
viously been assumed, and certain aspects of the project
remain obscure. However, the date and purpose of the
present drawing seem fairly clear.
The sheet is datable to15 2 4,asthe inscription indicates,
butthe drawing was probably made before the writing,
which allows for it. It seems to relate to a particular phase