Vasari says Fra Sebastiano del Piombo prepared the wall for Michael Angelo, and secretly had it grounded for oil painting, no doubt hoping himself to be employed in the work, as oil was his special medium.

Michael Angelo was very wroth with his old friend for this, and declared that oil painting was an art only fit for women and crazy fellows.

We hear of no further intercourse between Michael Angelo and the jovial frate.

Vasari attributes their coolness to this incident.
Hieronimo Staccoli wrote a letter in July 1537,( 149) to the Duke of Camerino, son and heir to the Duke of Urbino, about a salt-cellar designed for him by Michael Angelo.

This prince was afterwards a good friend to the master, and his letter of September 7, 1539, informs us of the position of affairs with regard to the Tomb of Julius during the progress of the large painting in the Sistine:-- "DEAREST MESSER MICHAEL ANGELO,--It always has been, and now is, more than ever our infinite desire, as you will naturally imagine, to see the Tomb to the sainted memory of Pope Julius, my uncle, brought to a good conclusion by you, and we know well that it belongs to our duty to have good care of it, and see it ultimately finished, being held to it as you so well know by that sainted spirit: nevertheless, having heard by letters from our ambassador at Rome the great desire of our Lord, we must comfort ourselves with all patience whilst this said work is passed over by you.