Milan, whither Francesco had been summoned to give advice as to the construction of the Duomo. I may add that Bramante, too, seems to have taken part in this campaign; and, to conclude, another gifted artist, the sculptor, Pietro Torrigiano, was serving as a soldier in the army of the Borgias.1 On August 18, 1502, the son of Alexander VI. sends Leonardo a patent intended to facilitate his inspections of the towns and fortresses so boldly snatched from their legitimate owner's hands. This document, dated from Pavia, where the usurper was at the moment, describes the master as architect and engineer-in-chief.2 Leonardo had not waited to receive it before beginning his tour. As early as July 30, we find him at Urbino, where he sketches a dovecote, a staircase of several flights, and the fortress itself; on August 1, he puts in an appearance at Pesaro, where he surveys several engines of war, and sketches the library; on the 8th, he stops at Rimini, and takes note of the harmonious sound of the water falling from the fountain. He pays a longer visit (from August 11 to 15) to Cesena, makes a drawing of a battlemented house, and describes a waggon, and the local system of vine planting; on September 6, he reaches Porto Cesenatico, and sketches the harbour there. In the course of these wanderings, he halts at Piombino, Acquapendente, near Orvieto, at Siena, where he notes the plan on which a bell is hung (probably that in the "Torre del Mangia," the belfry of the Palazzo Pubblico). Imola, Faënza, Forli, Bertinore, are visited in turn, 1 Alvisi, Cesare Borgia, p. 126. 2 Della Valle, Vasari's edition (Siena, 1792), vol. v., p. 72-73.-Amoretti, Memorie, p. 87.-Alvisi, Cesare Borgia, Duca di Romagna, p. 357-358. Here is a translation of this curious document :-- -"Cæsar Borgia of France all our lieutenants, castellans, captains, condottieri, officers, soldiers, and subjects, who may have knowledge of these presents are ordered and commanded (as follows): To give free passage, without levying any public tax either on himself or his company, to grant friendly welcome, and freedom to take measurements, and make examination as he wills, to our most excellent and wellbeloved friend, architect, and engineer-in-chief, Leonardo Vinci, bearer of these presents, commissioned by us to inspect all strong places and fortresses in our dominions, so that we may, according to their necessity and his counsel, provide for their maintenance. And to this end they are to provide him with as many men as he shall require, and give him all the help, support, and favour he may demand. It being our will that every engineer in our dominions shall be bound to confer with him, and follow his opinion, let no man dare to do otherwise, if he does not wish to incur our displeasure . . Given at Pavia, August 18, 1502 |