One afternoon in April 1467, Anno received a letter of invitation.
The servant who delivered the message said that this was an invitation from Lorenzo de' Medici, the actual ruler of the city-state of Florence, inviting Laurence Anno Falgao to be a guest in his court and attend a banquet.
Annuo naturally came as promised.
Lorenzo's palace is not small, and he was led to the main hall by the palace servants.
But I found a few familiar figures.
The hall is divided into two floors, both used for holding parties.
The first time Anno entered the hall, he saw his teacher, Verrocchio, standing by the escalator on the second floor, chatting with a mature man.
He took a glass of wine from the palace waiter and walked up the stairs.
"Teacher Verrocchio." Annuo greeted.
"Oh, look who is here." Verrocchio was obviously happy now and hugged Anno, "Mr. Lorenzo, let me introduce you. This is my most proud disciple. No.
One, Laurence Annaud Falgault.”
Annuo looked at the serious-looking man opposite him with surprised eyes. He did not expect that this man was the actual supreme ruler of Florence.
Lorenzo stretched out a hand: "I have long heard of Lawrence, the artist who pioneered a new art genre. I am Lorenzo de' Medici."
"Nice to meet you." Annuo grabbed Lorenzo's hand and shook it vigorously. Although this man had never met before, he really helped Annuo a lot.
Anno's most profitable order before was a piece of jewelry ordered by Lorenzo. Moreover, although the "Hell Tour" exhibition before Anno officially became famous was held by the Catholic Church, it actually also involved Lorenzo.
Renzo was behind him.
So Anno is still very grateful to Lorenzo.
A younger man than Lorenzo came over: "Brother, why don't you introduce me?"
"Ah, you are here, my brother." He pulled his brother over, "This is my brother, Giuliano de' Medici."
The handsome and younger Giuliano raised his glass to Anno and Verrocchio from afar, with a smile on his lips.
"Hello, my name is Laurence Anno Falgo."
The two shake hands.
Giuliano's eyes did not stay on Annuo, but aimed at a noble lady not far behind Annuo. He perfunctorily let go of Annuo's hand: "Brother, you two, I will come over."
Annuo stepped aside calmly: "Please do as you please."
Seeing Giuliano leaving happily, Verrocchio and Lorenzo couldn't help but smile and shake their heads.
Lorenzo called out: "Lawrence, could you please come over here?"
"Of course." Anno followed Lorenzo and Verrocchio walked downstairs consciously and went to the table to get some dessert.
The two came to a separate room, and Lorenzo sat on the sofa, sinking deeply into the soft sofa.
"Please sit down, Laurence." Lorenzo said, "I want to ask you to help me paint a picture, um, and help me carve a bronze statue."
Annuo sat on the sofa: "Similar to the teacher's "David"?"
Lorenzo shook his head: "No, I am not a great man like David. There is no need to carve such an exquisite and great statue for me, just a bust."
Annuo smiled and nodded: "No problem."
"Then, happy cooperation." Lorenzo raised his glass.
Anno controlled the height of the glass to be slightly lower than Lorenzo's wine glass: "It's a pleasure to work with you."