Michelangelo left for Rome again in 1506 to execute the “mother of all tombs” for Pope Julius II. Nearly 40ft. tall, the tomb would have contained some 40 over-life-sized statues. After ordering 100 tons of marble to be shipped to Rome, Pope Julius changed his mind and put Michelangelo to work on painting the nearly 6,000ft2 the Sistine Chapel ceiling, which would occupy the next 4 ½ years of his life.
‌
Michelangelo, Pope Julius II - The Tragedy of the Tomb

Readings: pgs. 72-88; 105-107; 188-199