The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26

bishop Corrigan, who was also my friend.
Princess Viana Altieri, whose daughter
married the nephew Of Cardinal Rampolla.
always taken mucn interest in my art
work 1t was to these three important
personages that owed my being given the
opportunity to paint the portrait of the
Holy Father.
l spent two winters in Rome in connection
with this task. had my first sitting in the
autumn of 1897 1t was in the Popes gen.
eral reception room that Leo XIII appeared
before me in this new role. why didn't
your husband come to Rome, too" were
the kindly words with which he greeted me
on that morning, so memorable in my life
as an artist. He sat and stood and con-
versed. This first sitting was Short but ii
was long enough for me to get the neces-
Sary initial impressions, to decide what
the general character of the portrait should
be, and TO receive the inspiration which
is the soul of all worthy art. Leo XIII had
a way Of Strengthening himself up-but only
for moment-every now and then to his
full height, when he rose to six feet At
such an instant he was so majestic and en-
obled that / was almost inclined to paint
him seven feet high. This habit of assum-
ing an erect position for a few seconds
which was no ordinary exertion for a man
of his great age who was always bent, the
Pope used with much effect on public occa-
sions and IT always produced deep i'm
preston on those who witnessed IL.
Leo XIII had a most attractive person
atty. I was drawn to him not simply be-
cause / was a Catholic and he the grand
head of the church. He dubbed over with
humor and genuine wit. He was wonder
fully quick at repartee. When my portrait
which was exhibited at the Paris Interna-
tional Exhibition of 1900 finally reached
Rome and was borne to the Vatican, by
order of his Holiness. by a van and eight
men, was, of course, sent for, and on that
occasion | enjoyed my most intimate audi
ence or the Pope. | was quite alone with
him for three-quarters of hour. and
then came out more strongly than ever the
personal characteristics which / had OBJ
served before, but never so clearly. of this
truly extraordinary being. Speaking in
French which tongue he knew so well how
TO use. the Pope welcomed me with these
words that went right to my artists heart:
How we'll donei Everybody else has
painted me as an old man. But you have
put youth into my aged frame" I'VE art
lists paint as We feel" / answered. Tell
about America" he continued. American
Protestants admire you" / said. among
other things, land American Catholics
adore YOU" Patting me on the cheeks, he
answered, My child, you always speak
with esprit
During this audience, and all through the
conversation. Of which ! give only few
one hand behind him, evidently holding
something out of my view. Finally he said
with a goodnatured, quizzical expression in
his noble face: Guess what / have here
for you" Then he advanced the hand a lit
tle but quickly thrust it back again behind
tease me as IL / were child. evidently en-
joying my perplexity. Then, suddenly
opening kid-coHered box. with the Papal
coat-of-arms stamped upon IL, he daZzled
my eyes with a. beautiful chaplet made OF
topaz and gold, the gains so pura and cold