Michelangelo’s Sculpture

Michelangelo was commissioned to sculpt a statue of David for St. Peters Basilica. While sculpting the statue, the mayor came to visit the progress of the statue. And in an effort to be congenial, Michelangelo asked the mayor what he thought of the statue.

The mayor fancying himself an artist of sorts, suggested to Michelangelo that the nose was to large. After a momentary pause of thoughtfulness, Michelangelo suggested that the mayor stand at a favorable vantage point.

He then climbed the scaffolding to the top platform. He reached down and picked up his hammer, chisel and also a handful of shavings from his prior work. He then lifted the hammer and the chisel to King David’s nose and began to apparently chip away at his nose while doing so letting some of the chippings fall from his hand being careful not to actually strike the statue.

After a minute or so, Michelangelo asked the mayor what he thought now of the statue, whereupon the mayor replied, “Oh it looks much better.” We can fool men but we can’t fool God.