The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-07-28
Titian's Magdalen.

llS INC titlc anu cHl"lunchtS VI NouTl
Painter.
Titan returned to Venice. bearing
with him eleven thousand scUdi. besides
presents of such great value, that the
Doge Francisco Venier said to him. de-
spondingly:
What can do for you, when kings
and emperors have given you such pre-
cious proofs of their esteem ?"
ALLOW me-" said Titan, {" to finish
the frescoes of the great council chamber
gratutously, and at my own expense"
You are worthy citizen, as well as
great artist" answered the Doge land
the senate will thank you, in the name
of all Venice, for your generous offer"
After the death of the emperor, Titi-
an still continued to serve his Catholic
majesty in quality of Court Painter; but
the Mquisition gave the new king so
much to do, and its ministers were so
much occupied in burning the herctics,
that the great artists pension remained
unpaid, and Titan had often to apply to
the king himself for the price of bis la
Dor.
Amongst other pictures ordered by
the king, Titan received commission
to paint Magdalen of the most austere
description Titan set to work with
the best intentions, but, drawn away by
worldly tendency. gave to the new Mag
dalcn a greater dose Of seduction and
beauty than of compunction and grief /;
for the lovely skin glowcd beneath his
pencil the hair retained glossy bright
ness, in spite of the ashes with which it
was covered and eyes bcamcd with a
refulgcnce Of love, through their tears.
In word, it was the Nlagdalen rather
before than after her repentance
At the moment of giving the last fin
ishing stroke to his work, Titan percev-
ed that he had depicted the lineaments
of Venus, or some such pagan divinity.
instead of Magdalen. The picture was
certainly not less worthy of praise on
that account, but Titan very wisely re-
aectcd that Philip IL. would hesitate
paying for Danae or Leda, when he
had expressly ordered Magdalen
He therefore had recourse to the fol-
lowing cxpedicnt
Opposite his studio lived a young girl
of great beauty-an orphan-who had
never known her parents, and who had
been reduced, by extreme wretchedncss
and poverty. to the painful trade of sery-
ing as model to artists, at the price of
half il ducat sitting Grief, nightly
watchings, and privations of every sort
had left their traces on her worn brow
and pale, dttenuated check; but, through
all this, an air of distinction and ingen-
uousncss raised her above the sphere in
which she lived Our painter, in his
moments Of relaxation. had often remark.
ed her, leaning her head languidly at
her window, her eyes bathed in tears.
and seemingly in an ecstasy of grief,
Titan sent for her, and proposed to
engage her as model for the head of
his Magdalen, promising to pay her four
ducats IA sitting. provided she remained
constantly standing motionless, and in
the attitude he should place her, with
out ever asking moments reposc, how
ever great the fatigue and pain that she
should suffer
The young girl, delighted at so mu-
nlfcent an offer, promised all that was
required of her and the sitting commcn-
ccd at once
In about half an hour, tired of stand
ing in the same attitude. she humbly
begged the great painter to allow her a
moments rest Titan pretended hot
to hear her request, and continued his
work with redoubled ardor and attention
In about Il quarter of an hour there
was a renewed demand on the part Of
the young girl, and renewed silence Oh
the part Of the artist
At length, after an hours standing
the poor girl again solicited for rest
but the artist still remaining obstinate
in his silence, the wrctched creature fell
to the ground, almost deprived of sense
Then Titan, feigning to be in a violent
passion. reproved her harshly for having
failed in her promise to him, and threat
eled, with bitterness, to send her from
his studio without paying her any of the
money agreed upon, if she did not in.
stantly reassume the position in which
he had placed her.
The poor unfortunate, overpowcred
with humiliation and grief, rose. without
SAYING a word, and resumed her original
attitude, abundant and bitter tears 81
lently chasing each other down her pal
lid checks.
1t is done p exclaimed Titan, in L
tone of triumph. There is, at length
the expression sought w
Then, after a few more touches Of his
pencil, he ran to the young girl, and
pressing her in his arms with paternal
tenderness, wiped away her tears, and
placed her on Il couch.
d" My child said he, with your help
have accomplished Il chef d'aurre; II
is therefore just that you should hav,
your share of its price. Here are four
ducats for to-day's sitting, and here is
your portion" continued he, placing in
her hand purse full of gold | shall
fud husband for you amongst my pu
pills, and you will then no longer requlr,
to serve as Il model in order to gain Il
livelihood"
Phillip H. was struck with admira
ton aud astonishment at the sight o
Titian's new picture, Although his o
pinion of the great artists genius haC
long been firmly established, his expecta
tions were now surpassed Never haC
the celebrated painter raised himself /,
such height.
The king paid him the most hattering
compliments, in letter written with hi,
own hand, and graciously asked him wha
could be the matter with his Magdalen
that she grieved and weptin in such a man