This prince of humanists recommended Michelangelo to treat in bas-relief an antique fable, involving the strife of young heroes for some woman's person.

Probably he was also able to point out classical examples by which the boyish sculptor might be guided in the undertaking.

The subject made enormous demands upon his knowledge of the nude.

Adult and youthful figures, in attitudes of vehement attack and resistance, had to be modelled; and the conditions of the myth required that one at least of them should be brought into harmony with equine forms.

Michelangelo wrestled vigorously with these difficulties.