MICHAEL ANGELO. 249 







equine anatomy was of a high order, chose a cavalry 

 battle, and Michael Angelo selected an historical event 

 in the war between the Florentines and the Pisans. 

 Vosari's account of the occasion and its treatment 

 reads as follows : " The Florentine soldiers, bathing 

 in the river Arno during the heat of the weather, be- 

 came alarmed at an unexpected assault of the enemy. 

 The hurry and confusion in getting out of the water, 

 dressing themselves, and preparing for action, was the 

 point of time chosen ; and the principal group in the 

 cartoon was descriptive of that scene. Some of the 

 figures were employed in putting on their armor, 

 buckling on the cuirass, and getting ready with pre- 

 cipitation to give assistance to their companions, whilst 

 an infinite body of cavalry commenced the action with 

 a terrific charge. Among other prominent figures was 

 an old man seated on the ground, whose head was 

 bound with a garland of ivy to shade his brows. In 

 the tumult and confusion that surrounded him, he 

 was represented drawing on a hose with difficulty, 

 from the leg being wet ; and with great muscular ex- 

 ertion and expression of countenance showed both 

 energy and impatience. The actions and attitudes of 

 figures were as contrasted as the circumstances might 

 be supposed to create, and difficult foreshortenings 

 characterized the deep knowledge of the artist, and 

 his powers of execution. The figures are variously 

 sketched : some in charcoal, others in lines drawn 

 with a pen, and some stamped with black chalk ; and 

 the lights displayed with white, exhibited at once 

 great versatility and professional skill. Such was the 

 excellence of this work that some thought it absolute 

 perfection, not to be rivaled and even hopeless to 

 approach. And certain credit is due to the opinion, 



