ABSTRACT
Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara (b.1476, ruled 1505-34), had a long and complex relationship with Michelangelo. In mid-July 1512, when the Duke and his entourage were permitted to climb the scaffolding in the Sistine Chapel in order to view Michelangelo's work on the vaulting, Alfonso was so taken by what he saw that after all the other members of the ducal party had descended, he remained on the scaffolding with the artist, gazing at the frescoes. Before returning to earth, Alfonso 'requested that he [Michelangelo] should make him a painting; and he made him discuss it, he offered money, and extracted a promise to do it'.1 The subject of the painting which the two men discussed is unknown. However, since it is likely that Alfonso had already begun planning the programme of his new apartments in the via coperta between the Palazzo del Corte and Castel Vecchio the year before his visit to Rome, the Duke may have used this opportunity to commission a mythology for the camerini} Unfortunately, nothing substantive came of Alfonso's request. Given the antagonistic relationship between the Duke and Julius II, Michelangelo may well have decided that it was not in his best interests to accept a commission from a patron identified as an enemy of the papacy.
