Summary

Michelangelo moves into Bertoldo’s rooms in the palace, an L-shaped apartment with the two bedrooms at either end and shelves full of Bertoldo’s miniatures in the connecting space. Bertoldo continues to guide Michelangelo, and Lorenzo also takes an active interest in Michelangelo’s growth. Lorenzo invites Michelangelo to dine with him and his other guests, about sixty strong.

Michelangelo sees first hand Lorenzo’s acceptance and cultivation of each guest. Business is done at dinner, but casually, as part of conversations where Lorenzo listens as much as he talks, and offers no special preference to cardinals, friars, scholars, professors, ambassadors, merchants, and visiting businessmen. All are welcomed and all are heard, and Lorenzo’s political and economic alliances are formed as extensions of friendships. Medici cousins and children also attend, including Contessina (on Sundays when women can attend) and Lorenzo’s oldest son, Piero...