The following days fewer men assembled outside the makeshift studio at Santa Maria delle Grazie than had gathered in the first month of Leonardo’s auditions. The complaint spread abroad that the exacting standards set by maestro Leonardo would likely exclude the venerable Saint Ambrose (if he were alive.) Still a smattering of noble sons arrived, confident that with their superior breeding, one of them would be chosen as Jesus. One young noble, Cesare was the most favoured.
‘We will hold the biggest party in Milan once you are crowned Jesus,’ his closest friend Donatello declared. Cesare, Donatello and their companions had decided upon this venture after gossip at the home of the distinguished Ambrossini family had turned to Leonardo’s search for a Jesus.
The august Senior Ambrossini, de
