observing every least thing. Now
among other statues that were wanting to the completion of that work,
there were lacking a S. Cosimo and a S. Damiano that were to be one on
either side of the Madonna, and Michelagnolo gave the S. Damiano to
Raffaello da Montelupo to execute, and to the Frate the S. Cosimo,
commanding the latter that he should work in the same rooms where he
himself had worked and was still working. Having therefore set his hand
with the greatest zeal to that work, the Frate made a large model of the
figure, which was retouched by Buonarroti in many parts; indeed,
Michelagnolo made with his own hand the head and the arms of clay, which
are now at Arezzo, held by Vasari among his dearest treasures in memory
of that great man. There were not wanting many envious persons who
blamed Michelagnolo for his action, saying that in allotting that statue
he had shown little judgment, and had made a bad choice; but the result
afterwards proved, as will be related, that Michelagnolo had shown
excellent judgment, and that the Frate was an able man. When
Michelagnolo, with the assistance of Fra Giovanni Agnolo, had finished
and placed in position the statues of Duke Giuliano and Duke Lorenzo,
being summoned by the Pope, who wished that arrangements should be made
for executing in marble the facade of S. Lorenzo, he went to Rome; but
he had not made a long stay there, when, Pope Clement dying, everything
was left unfinished. At Florence the statue of the Frate, unfinished as
it was, together with the other works, was thrown open to view, and was
very highly extolled; and in truth, whether it was his own study and
diligence, or the assistance of Michelagnolo, it proved in the end to be
an excellent figure, and the best that Fra Giovanni Agnolo ever made
among all that he executed in the whole of his life, so that it was
truly worthy to be placed where it was.

Buonarroti, being freed by the death of the Pope from his engagements at
S. Lorenzo, turned his attention to discharging his obligations in
connection with the tomb of Pope Julius II; but, since he had need of
assistance for this, he sent for the Frate. But Fra Giovanni Agnolo did
not go to Rome until he had finished entirely the image of Duke
Alessandro for the Nunziata, which he executed in a manner different
from the others, and very beautiful, in the form in which that lord may
still be seen, clad in armour and kneeling on a Burgundian helmet, and
with one han