14th of July, 1484
It's nearing two years since I came to Florence, and the city has served me well. There's an artist who used to apprentice for the great Verrocchio, and since day one I've done everything in my power to get to know him. He finally made me his new aide in his workshop.
As soon as I entered his workspace I knew that I was about to witness something extraordinary. It's a grand hall filled with gadgets, sculptures and paintings. Young assistants are kept busy by their master: they're testing chemical compounds for paints, analysing wood and stone for resilience, and model-making prototypes for all kinds of projects.
The farthest corner of the workshop has the most unbearable stench, for it's been reserved by - I kid you not - a pile of cadavers! In the name of science, they say. Naturally, the dogs disgraced the corpses before anyone could stop them. Many did witness my co-workers and I chasing after femur-hauling Haddock and Beans through the streets. I can now look back at it and laugh, but it was far from amusing when it happened.
Dead bodies aside, the workshop homes all sorts of contraptions that make very little sense to me. I can imagine that if they were ever seen, let alone spoken of outside these walls, we'd be burned alive. Master is developing machines powered by steam, weaponry… even flying apparatus! They resemble huge artificial birds, or insects. And I've seen a lot of oddities in my time, but nothing like this.
Haddock (right) and Beans (left) guarding the front of the workshop, interpreted by Valentina April
The most intriguing area for me is the one devoted to art. Its counters are piled with books and parchments. My key task is to organise and transcribe the chaos that are his notes and plans. There's many unfinished paintings up on easels and being around them brings me such joy.
Some of them are commissions for clients, and others are for the master to test his paints, brushes and techniques.
So almost daily I get to watch closely as he works on these stunning pieces. The way he paints, with oil paints especially, makes his paintings look..almost alive.
Master's an artist who won't settle for a simple portrait, but always pushes for something much more. There's this one that is of a woman that keeps grabbing my attention. I heard he's worked on it for almost a year, and as it progresses, I keep wondering if it is to have a smile or not. It captivates me for long periods of time.
I've met many artists, but this man is special. One moment he'll concentrate on painting mesmerizing art, and the next he works on a design for a new excavator meant to help build an aqueduct. Or a new catapult for the military. At the end of the day, I can see him sketching for another sculpture. And yet he still manages to find time to meet new clients, and give orders for us.
Florence is wealthy, and peaceful. I enjoy it here. There's still a lot of paperwork to do.
Publisher’s note: Many thanks to Valentina April! Find her Instagram here. xo