The morning call., 1892-06-05

Theobald Chartran, French artist of repu-
tatiOn, presen ted himself at the French lega-
ton in Rome and besOught the French
Minister TO secure for him an audience with
the Pope, his avowed intention being TO
seek sittings for portrait, he was warned
of the almost insuperable difficulty in the
way Of such an undertaking.
NJ. Chartran, however, was persistent.
He explained that he had always been pos
sessed of an overweening desire TO paint the
portrait Of his Holiness, and he was per-
suaded that, an audience being granted
him. he could succeed where so many others
had failed. In view of NJ. Chartran'S great
name in the artistic world, the French Minis
ter consented 10 interest himself in bringing
about the audience.
In accordance with his promise, one
bright July morning NJ. Chartran found
himself in the Papal antechamber, awaiting
an audience with the Holy Father. Under
his arm he carried a package, wrapped in
green baize. Admitted TO the Papal pres
ence, his Holiness received the painter with
a smile.
II am glad" said his Holiness, "to receive
an artist whose name is SO well known to
me, and Of whose talent have seen such
wonderful examples. l must warn you,
however, that | have always made 1t rule
in the past-an in1eXibe rule-never to
grant any sttings for my portrait My ad
Yanced years and my feeble health to-day
make the continuance OF this rule the more
imperative"
French artist, that If the matter Of fatigue
is the only obstacle to the realiz ltiOn of my
hopes. it is an obstacle which can easily
overcome"
As he spoke he removed the green baize
from the package under his arm aud pro-
duced a good-sized panel, which drew from
the Pontiff an involuntary exclamation OF
admiration and surprise.
= H.. To ,-fr frf Of mn n
clared his Holiness. with unmistakable
pleasure. The likeness is perfect, and the
finish Of the picture really superb"
mo" answered the French artist depre-
catingly, II do not claim for it the dignity
OF a picture. ii is only sketch-a sketch,
however, that is we'll advanced aud which
would need only a few brief settings to con-
vert into picture. win not your Highness
grant me these few settings?" And as the
painter dropped on one knee the better to
hold his sketch to the light, he looked up im-
plorngly at the PCntiff
you perceive, your Holiness" he ex-
claimed. Il beg this favor OF you on my
kneesp'
The Pontff was evidently touched by the
painters great earnestness. Still 1t was
half willingly only that he yielded
you must not expect me to grant you
more than half an hour, then-three-quar-
tiers Of an hour at the very utmost" he said.
81 will not ask for more"
'When do you wish 10 beginp"
whenever it may please your Holiness"
IL et it be tomorrow, them
And thus it was that on the following day,
In one of the great rooms of the P0pe'S pri-
vate suite, which had been arranged as an
ateler, the French painter found himself
face to face with his subject.
Half an hour, an hour, two hours. passed
without the Pope apparently recalling that
he had placed limit upon the time the sit
ting was to last. The artist cleverly man.
aged so as not to fatigue the Pontiff, who at
the close of the sitting expressed himself as