It is a marvellous work, and full of art: mostly in this, that underneath those subtleties of raiment one can perceive the naked form, the garments detracting nothing from the beauty of the body; as was the universal way of working with this master in all his clothed figures, whether painted or sculptured." Except that Condivi dwelt too much upon the repose of this extraordinary statue, too little upon its vivacity and agitating unrest, his description serves our purpose as well as any other.

He does not seem to have felt the turbulence and carnal insolence which break our sense of dignity and beauty now.
Michelangelo left the Moses incomplete in many details, after bringing the rest of the figure to a high state of polish.

Tooth-marks of the chisel are observable upon the drapery, the back, both hands, part of the neck, the hair, and the salient horns.

It seems to have been his habit, as Condivi and Cellini report, to send a finished statue forth with some sign-manual of roughness in the final touches.

That gave his work the signature of the sharp tools he had employed upon it.