San Lorenzo was a giant work site. Disorganized piles of larger and smaller marble blocks crowded the piazza in front of the church. Masons were hard at work in the Medici Chapel, and their equipment – especially wood and rope for scaffolding – littered every bit of open space. The masons used the normally peaceful cloister to store their valuable tools, and they helped themselves to the well, since water was constantly needed during construction. Draft animals, carts groaning under the weight of marble blocks, squeaking ropes, a din of hammers and chisels, shouted orders, constant banter, and unrestrained profanity created a cacophony of sounds. The prior of San Lorenzo complained about the mess and the pungent smells of animal and human labor. The outside world had invaded the brothers' devotions.

During the summer 1525, Michelangelo was fifty years old and working simultaneously on the Medici Chapel and the Laurentian Library. He employed more than one hundred stoneworkers at San Lorenzo, with two or three new carvers being added each week. He was managing a messy work site, a large labor force, and a complicated business operation. He was both artist and building foreman, craftsman and businessman, genius and entrepreneur. The following is the story of one week in his busy life.

MONDAY, JULY 24

“Meo, will you please meet me in the Piazza San Lorenzo tomorrow morning a little earlier than usual so that we are not bothered by the sun and so that we can examine two pieces of marble. Get some of the others to come with you.”