It serves the soothing purpose which sensitive nerves, irritated by Michelangelo's aloofness from all else but thought and naked flesh and posture, gratefully acknowledge.
While Michelangelo was finishing his Cartoon, Lionardo da Vinci was painting his fresco.

Circumstances may have brought the two chiefs of Italian art frequently together in the streets of Florence.

There exists an anecdote of one encounter, which, though it rests upon the credit of an anonymous writer, and does not reflect a pleasing light upon the hero of this biography, cannot be neglected.

"Lionardo," writes our authority, "was a man of fair presence, well-proportioned, gracefully endowed, and of fine aspect.

He wore a tunic of rose-colour, falling to his knees; for at that time it was the fashion to carry garments of some length; and down to the middle of his breast there flowed a beard beautifully curled and well arranged.