Once there came a heavy snowstorm, and snow being an unusual thing in Florence, Piero called a lot of his friends together in the gardens, and summoning Michelangelo, ordered him to make a snow image for the amusement of the guests, just as Piero at other times had a dog jump through a hoop.

“What shall it be?” asked Michelangelo.

“Oh, anything you please,” replied Piero; “only don’t keep us waiting here in the cold all day!”

Young Angelo cast one proud look of contempt toward the group and set to work making a statue.  In ten minutes he had formed a satyr that bore such a close resemblance to Piero that the guests roared with laughter.  “That will do,” called Piero; “like Deity, you make things in your own image.”  Some of the company tossed silver coin at the young man, but he let the money lie where it fell.

Michel at this time was applying himself to the study of anatomy, and giving his attention to literature under the tutorship of the famous poet and scholar, Poliziano, who resided at the court.

So filled was the young man’s mind with his work that he was blind to the discontent arising in the State.  To the young, governments and institutions are imperishable.  Piero by his selfish whims had been digging the grave of the Medici.  From sovereignty they were flung into exile.  The palace was sacked, the beautiful gardens destroyed, and Michelangelo, being regarded as one of the family, was obliged to flee for his life.  He arrived in Bologna penniless and friendless, and applied to a sculptor for work.  “What can you do?” the old sculptor asked.  For answer, Michelangelo silently took a crayon and sketched a human hand on the wall.  Marvelous were the lines!  The master put his arms around the boy and kissed his cheek.

This new-found friend took him into his house, and placed him at his own table.  Michelangelo was led into the library and workrooms, and told that all was his to use as he liked.

The two years he remained at Bologna were a great benefit to the young man.  The close contact with cultured minds, and the encouragement he received, spurred his spirit to increased endeavor.  It was here that he began that exquisite statue of a Cupid that passed for an antique, and found its way into the cabinet of the Duchess of Mantua.

Before long the discovery was made that the work was done by a young man only a little past twenty, and Cardinal San Giorgio sent a message inviting him to Rome.

* * * * *

Rome had long been the Mecca of the boy’s ambitions, and he joyously accepted the invitation.  At Rome he was lodged in the Vatican, and surrounded by that world of the beautiful, he went seriously about his life’s work.  The Church must have the credit for being the mother of modern art.  Not only did she furnish the incentive, but she supplied the means.  She gave security from the eternal grind of material wants and offered men undying fame as reward for noble effort.