Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-01-04


and la bam bino Anna too: and the PEN
ills are lost; and Il Signor Montenegro
s waiting for the picture. l shall
never finish It,"
The peaker-Giovanni Andrea Sir
AMI one of the second-rate artists of |
Bologna - hurriedly tossed about |
palette and oils, making the
studio all confusion; then, loudly called
on Elisa beta for assistance She came
forward from he sunny nook in the
wind ow, where she had been hidden,
and addressing her angry father in
voice remarkable for its soothing and
sweet tones, put into his hands the
pencils he required, arranged his pal
ette and stood behind him while he
again continued his work.
Elisa BETA was a girl of about twelve
years, tall and we'll formed, though
still child like in proportions and too
angular to be graceful. But her face
was too striking to be passed unnoticed
even by stranger. Not through its
beauty, for the features were irregu-
lar, and the long and rather aquiline
nose would have given character too
masculine to the countenance, had 1t
not been for the exquisitely sweet ex'
preston of the mouth, and the dimpled
chin. Again, too, the harshness given
by the strongly marked eyebrows was
softened by the dreamy lanquor of the
dark ewes and dropping eyelids. In
short, the whole face of Elisabetta
Sirani showed a com bination of mas
euline powers and womanly sweetness,
united with that hexi bility of feature
and ever-changing expression, which
almost always denote great sensitive
ness of mind.
Signor Andrea, relieved from his dis
quietude, worked at his picture, now
and then calling on his y oung daughter
to inspect his progress, and listening
to her remarks and comments, which,
though given with the simplicity and
timidity of a child, showed an under
standing that justified the considera-
tion with which she was treated by
her father Sometimes the hasty and
nervous temperament of the arti st was
excited to anger by the noise of the
children within; he would hurriedly
dismiss his eldest daughter to restore
quiet and as quickly call for her
again, declare that he could not paint
unless she was beside him, to grind his
colors and prepare his pencils He
did not add that she was quite as use
full in giving him various unsuspected,
but most successful hints, even In the
picture itself
After an hour or two spent in this
manner. the tete- a-tete of the artist
and his daughter was broken by the
entrance of man in a clerical dress,
but attired with all the taste and
sumptuousness which was prevalent in
the leading cities of Italy, and espec
tally Bologna, at the close of tho sew
enteenth century. Andrea Sirani re-
ceived his visitor with mingled cor
diality and respect
II am glad II Signor Conte Malvasia
is come. l should not have been salts.
fed to send my picture away without
his opinion on Its merits"
You are very obliging, Messer
Sirani, said the ecolesiastic; but ]
have usually only one opinion regard.
ing your beautiful pictures, and this
appears equal to any. He sat down
on the painting chair which Elizabetta
had placed for him opposite the pict-
ure; and after patting her cheek with
q friendly and affeotionate expression,
which dyed 1t with q blush of pleasure,
he turned his whole attention to the
work before him.
~ see you love the soft and melting
shadows and mellow lights OF our
Guido, the pride Of Bologna" said the
the Con te Malvasia- And you do not
work in the gloom which some of our
stern foreign brethren delight in; you
let the sun visit your painting room;
save for this warm crimson curtain,
which must cast such a pleasant glow
on every thing here, though it rather
darkens the picture now" He drew
back the heavy folds and discovered
the little nook where Eliza BETA had
sat 1t was strewed with pencils and
sketches of all kinds Malvasia picked
up one Of the scattered papers.
rs this beautiful Madonna one oil
your studies, friend Andrea2 Why, |
your first sketches are absolutely as
good as your finished paintings"
The artist looked at it. and turned
away with disoontented air
oh monsignor, 1t is only one OF the
chile d. s drawings Elisa betta, 1 think
you might be better employed than
this Go to y our mother, child"
Stay one moment, Elisa sabetta,"
said Count Malvasia, drawing towards
him the reluctant blushing. and al
most fearful child did you really
draw and design this?"
Yes, monsignor," said Elisa BETA
"Messer Andrea" continued tho
Conte why do you not teach your
daughter to be a painter like yourself?
Would you not like to be great art
ist tglia miaP" added he.
Elisahetta did not speak; but her
eyes lighted up, and her lips quivered
with emotion Andrea said roughly
''No woman can ever be a painter"
How can you say So Andreas
Have you forgotten Lavinia Fontana,
and Antonia Pinelli, and our own
Properzia"
"Do not bring Madame de Rossi for
ward as an example for my child
Besides Elisa be tia docs not wish to be
a painter"
Elisal eta went timidly up to her |