If you leave out writers and composers, there are only two serious contenders for title of greatest artist in history: Michelangelo and Leonardo. They tie for the title of greatest painter; Michelangelo is in sole possession for the title of greatest sculptor. In fact only one Leonardo sculpture exists; a small wax model for a much larger sculpture that Leonardo never finished. Michelangelo, however, edges Leonardo for the title of most likely not to finish what he started.

Leonardo’s notebooks are, of course, stuffed with projects never carried out, and three of his most famous paintings—Milan’s Portrait of a Musician, The Adoration of the Magi and Saint Jerome are all unfinished. But he couldn’t hold a candle to Michelangelo in incompletion. In fact, virtually none of Michelangelo’s greatest works is finished.