method cannot be followed by everyone, nor do those
use it who labour only for gain. And he used to say, also, that works
should not be shown readily to anyone before they are finished, so that
a man may change them as many times and in as many ways as he wishes,
without any scruple.

Giovan Francesco learned many things from Leonardo, but particularly how
to represent horses, in which he so delighted that he fashioned them of
clay and of wax, in the round or in low-relief, and in as many manners
as could be imagined; and of these there are some to be seen in our book
which are so well drawn, that they bear witness to the knowledge and art
of Giovan Francesco. He knew also how to handle colours, and executed
some passing good pictures, although his principal profession was
sculpture. And since he lived for a time in the Via de' Martelli, he
became much the friend of all the men of that family, which has always
had men of the highest ability and worth, and particularly of Piero, for
whom, being the nearest to his heart, he made some little figures in
full-relief, and, among others, a Madonna with the Child in her arms
seated upon some clouds that are covered with Cherubim. Similar to that
is another that he painted after some time in a large picture in oils,
with a garland of Cherubim that form a diadem around the head of Our
Lady.

The Medici family having then returned to Florence, Rustici made himself
known to Cardinal Giovanni as the protege of his father Lorenzo, and was
received with much lovingness. But, since the ways of the Court did not
please him and were distasteful to his nature, which was altogether
simple and peaceful, and not full of envy and ambition, he would always
keep to himself and live the life as it were of a philosopher, enjoying
tranquil peace and repose. And although he did at times choose to take
some recreation, and found himself among his friends in art or some
citizens who were his intimate companions, he did not therefore cease to
work when the desire came to him or the occasion presented itself.
Wherefore, for the visit of Pope Leo to Florence in the year 1515, at
the request of Andrea del Sarto, who was much his friend, he executed
some statues that were held to be very beautiful; which statues, since
they pleased Cardinal Giulio de' Medici, were the reason that the
Cardinal caused him to make, for the summit of the fountain that is in
the great court of the Palace of the Medici, the n