Michelangelo displayed confidence in his abilities through his proactive methods, such as forging his own sculpting tools and innovating painting techniques for the Sistine Chapel, despite primarily being a sculptor. His eagerness to engage in challenging and sometimes dangerous tasks further emphasizes his confidence in his artistic skills.
The best evidence to support the statement that Michelangelo is very confident in his abilities comes from the exchange presented in the question. Michelangelo's response to Ghirlandaio, "I've never tried color. It's not my trade," shows not a lack of confidence but rather a focus on his chosen medium, which was sculpture at that point in his life. His earnest take on Ghirlandaio's comment about competition in his 'declining years' suggests that Michelangelo took the idea of being a possible rival seriously, implying confidence in his artistic skills even at a young age.
Furthermore, pointing out that Michelangelo, being a sculptor first, forged many of his own tools and even participated in the dangerous job of quarrying his marble, underscores his proactive approach and confidence in his skills. Additionally, despite Michelangelo's preference for sculpture over painting, when he faced the task of painting the Sistine Chapel, he not only accepted the challenge but also innovated a scaffold to stand up under the curved ceiling and paint, a testament to his obligatory confidence and adaptability.
Throughout his career, Michelangelo's works conveyed his confidence and expertise, whether it was making marble seem like flesh with intricate folds of drapery or setting new standards in painting the human figure, as seen in the Sistine Chapel. His life's work proves him to be an artist sure of his abilities and willing to take on challenges in various art forms.
The probable question may be:
"The following passage is a conversation between the successful artist Ghirlandaio and a young boy named Michelangelo who wants to be his apprentice. Select the best evidence to support the statement that Michelangelo is very confident in his abilities.
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen."...
Granacci, wanting to help his friend but unable to reveal that he had been
borrowing Ghirlandaio's prints for Michelangelo to copy, said:
"He has a good hand. He made drawings on the walls of his father's house in
Settignano. There is one, a satyr..."
"Ah, a muralist," quipped Ghirlandaio. "Competition for my declining years."
Michelangelo was so intense that he took Ghirlandaio seriously.
"I've never tried color. It's not my trade."
Ghirlandaio started to answer, then checked himself....
“Very well, suppose you sketch for me. What will it be?”"