Michael Angelo must have merely contracted to supply them, as the master sculptor of a sculptor's yard, possibly furnishing the designs himself.

There is a drawing at the British Museum of a bearded saint, cowled and holding a book in his left hand, which may be a design for one of these inferior works.
[Image #5] DAVID THE ACADEMY, FLORENCE (_By permission of the Fratelli Alinari Florence_) [Image #6] DAVID IN THE PIAZZA (_By permission of the Fratelli Alinari, Florence_) [Image #7] SAINT MATTHEW THE COURT OF THE ACADEMY, FLORENCE (_By permission of the Fratelli Alinari, Florence_) In August of the same year, 1501, Michael Angelo began the colossal statue of David, that used to stand in the Piazza and is now in the Academy at Florence.

The first contract for this work, signed between Michael Angelo, the Arte della Lana, and the Opera del Duomo, is dated August 16, 1501.

It states "That the worthy master, Michael Angelo, son of Lodovico Bonarroti, citizen of Florence, has been chosen to fashion, complete, and perfectly finish the male statue, already rough hewn and called the giant, of nine cubits in height,( 77) now existing in the workshop of the Cathedral, badly blocked out afore-time by Master Agostino,( 78) of Florence.

The work shall be completed within the term of the next ensuing two years, dating from September, at a salary of six golden florins( 79) per month; and whatever is needful for the accomplishment of this task, as workmen, wood, &c., which he may require, shall be supplied him by the said Operai; and when the said statue is finished, the Consuls and Operai, who shall be in office, shall estimate whether he deserve a larger recompense, and this shall be left to their consciences." Michael Angelo began to work in a wooden shed, erected for that purpose near the Cathedral, on Monday morning, September 13, 1501, and the "David" is said to be almost entirely finished in a note, dated January 25, 1503,( 80) when a solemn council of the most important artists, then resident in Florence, met at the Opera del Duomo to consider where the statue should be placed.