Question

According to Ascanio Condivi's account, what finishing touches were missing from the finished Sistine Chapel fresco?

Answer 1

Michelangelo works were hampered by the Pope"s urgency to show it to the public.  According to Ascanio Condivi, lacking on the painting was the retouching of the work a secco with ultramarine; and other parts of the painting which should be in gold, so as to give it a richer color. After his enthusiasm to hurry up the painting, Pope Julius realized that some changes have to be made, but Michelangelo thought about the trouble it would give him to reassemble the scaffolding, which he have already took down, thus, he answered that what was lacking was not important.

Answer 2

ANSWER: According to Ascanio Condivi's account, retouching of the work with Secco with Ultramarine and Gold were left which were to be used to give it a royal and rich appearance. There was a debate between the Pope and Michelangelo whether gold should be used or not and at the end artist's decision became final. Michelangelo worked all alone and received three thousand ducats out of which two to twenty five ducats were spent on colors. It is also said that Michelangelo could not complete his work according to his choice as Pope Julius had urgency to open the chapel on All Saints' Day.