The Dickinson press., 1897-09-04
pA WNcps JUDAS.

"a vINcrs JUDAS.
Tho True Story Of the Revenge Of . Cole
brated Artist.
Leonardo Da Vinci was a genius of
unusual versatility. He was not
only pre-eminent as an artist, but
was also one of the most learned and
accomplished men of the fifteenth
century. His varied talents, CON-
bined with his great physical beau
~, caused him to be renowned
throughout Italy.
Yet all these remarkable gifts
we're marred by a quick, imperious
temper and an intolerance of rebuke
OF opposition. Though a devout
Catholic, such was his want of self
control that he did not hesitate to
%retaliate, even when his opponent
was a dignitary of the church.
His celebrated picture "The Last
Supper" was painted for the refec-
tory Of. the Convent of the Domini.
can Fathers of Milan. The monks
took the greatest pleasure in watch
Ing the progress Of the painting.
They all had the highest esteem for
the man, as we'll as an unbounded
admiration for his art, and they're
quently passed their criticisms upon
the picture. This they had many
opportunities Of doing, as it was be-
ing painted in their convent.
Da Vinci meditated long and pro-
foundly upon the subject Of his pic.
ture, ~frequenting the haunts Of men
whose type he needed and4carefully
studying faces and attitudes. He
always carried his tablets with him,
and in these he made sketches, Of
heads and groups which lie thought
suited his purpose. In this way, by
repeated attempts, he at last sue
ceededsin perfecting his studies for
all{the;disciples but Judas, but Tor
him no prototype oouldfbe found. !
He visited the. Borehetta, where
thetlowest class Of criminals cont
cealsdE themselves. For a whole
year, day and night, he pursued his
search, but was unable to find a face
that expressed all the evil that he
wished to portray. -. n
As thoHpicture was being painted
in the dining hall Of the convent, a
part Of monastic discipline which
was carried on in that room was
necessarily interrupted. The prior
Of the convent, at last becoming i'm
patient at what seemed to him i'm
waFrantable delay, .expostulatad
with Da Vinci; but, receiving no
satisfactory reply, he complained to
the grand duke, who at once asked
the artist for an explanation. Z
Da vinci, though inwardly raging
with indignation, answered the duke
with all duo courtesy, telling. him.
that the holy father was mistaken
in supposing that heiwas willfully
neglecting his painting, fol, on the
contrary, he worked at his picture,
several hours everyday. The dHBe,,
was fully satisfied, repeating to.fhe'
prior what Da Vinoi had told hiH69sIiI
But the prior, who was ignoYaht
Of the artists outside work In CON.
nection with his painting, was
shocked at what seemed to him ut4
ter falsehood, and he renewed his
complaints with still greater ear.
nestness, 80 that the unfortunate
artist was again summoned before
the grand duke to answer for him
sell, the prior thus representing the,
matters: ~
"Your grace" said he, IDA vinci
has not been near the convent for
nearly 10 months, so how can his
story of working every day be truei,
And as he has but one headto finish
it seems to me that he is tridirg;''
with US and presuming too much
upon our patience" !!
"What the holy father saysSyis
true, your grace" said the artist
with much aspsrity, so far as MY
absence from the convent is con-
cerned, but what / have told you
with regard to my work is also,
strictly true, for I have been "a.
gagged for at least two hours every;
day upon the studies and sketches
that1 need. As to. the one head I'M
finished, that Of Judas, I have been
unable until now to find q face with
the expression that I am in search,
Of, but I think the face Of the priof,
as he now looks, will suit my pur-
pose admirably, though it. may be
that { am takInsa liberty withsthe
holy father" y
This liberty Da vinci did actually
take with the pious head Of the
monastery, introducing his features,
90 that they might be readily recog-
nized, Notwithstanding the villain.
ous expression that he had giyen.to
theface.LPhiladelphia Times.
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