LEONARDO: A painter, inventor, and sculptor MACHIAVELLI: Second Chancellor of the Republic of Florence MICHELANGELO: A sculptor and painter RAPHAEL: A painter SALAÌ: LEONARDO's young companion SAVONAROLA: Ghost of Savonarola burned at the stake SODERINI: MACHIAVELLI's powerful political confidant OTHERS: Various inn and street people
History tells that Michelangelo and Leonardo were fierce competitors in the Late Renaissance, but fails to explain just when this animosity began, or its origin. A chance meeting finds Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael drinking together in an inn discussing their future art and the public's growing preference for beauty over realism. Raphael suggests that working together they could create a painting to test the public's response to their different stylistic approaches. Although Michelangelo hesitates, he makes a bargain regarding David with Savonarola's Ghost and decides to participate in the unusual challenge. The artists begin working together in Leonardo's secret workshop with each pursuing his own goals on a single canvas. The three discuss philosophy and technique while working together. As they become familiar with one other, Michelangelo feels a growing sexual attraction to Leonardo, prompting Savonarola's irate Ghost to reappear and strengthen his resolve to resist. But the temptation is too great, and he finally succumbs to Leonardo's charm. An irate Savonarola's Ghost catches them flagrante delicto, frightening Michelangelo and causing him to flee. A calm Leonardo faces Savonarola's Ghost, delivering a withering rebuke that sends it back to ashes. However, a problem remains. Machiavelli, while snooping about, has discovered Leonardo's secret workshop and becomes suspicious about the two artist's forbidden act. Unbeknown to Michelangelo and Raphael, Machiavelli leverages his discovery to gain possession of the potentially valuable painting when it is finished. While the three artists wait in the workshop for the finished painting to be discovered by the public, animosities and feelings held in check are revealed, providing the history we know.
