Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1916-07-06
Blanca
A Story of Medieval Art
By ETHEL HOLMES

= =
Satan, while always sowing, reaps b.
periods. Every now and again tn
world is astonished at some new out
break of evil-not the ordinary crimi
nality that is always with US, confined
largely to those who are born to crime
but harvest of villainy among thos,
who are supposed to stand for moral
ity.
| An epidemic of crime settled upor
Italy during the middle ages which
pertained more especially to the very
highest classes. 1t became the custom
to eliminate ones enemy or such as
stood in ones way by poison. Scien-
lists instead of devoting themselves to
interpreting the secrets Of nature with
a view to preserving life used their tai.
ents to discover means Of producing
death. Persons in authority instead of
trying to benefit those under their
sway sought the means of secretly put
ting out of the way those who opposed
them.
The city of Florence, then In the
province Of Tuscany, has always been
the home Of art A young man in Pisa,
Giovanni Tolci, having shown marvel.
GUS artistic talents, removed to Flor
and the works of art to be found In
that city. So rapid was his progress
and so great became his fame that he
received a commission from the pope
to paint an altar piece.
During Giovanni Toilets stay in Flor
ence, while lettering one evening on
the banks Of the Arno he saw girl
on one Of the bridges looking down
into the river. Going on to the bridge
Giovanni stood near her and saw that
she was looking at the mild Italian
heavens reflected in the water. From
her rapt appearance he surmised that
she possessed that artistic tempera-
ment which was in himself. He was
seized with a desire to know her and,
inquiring who she was, secured an In
Blanca Cellini was not an artist her
self, but art was so natural to her that
she was of inestimable benefit to Clio
vanni. She was able to warn him when
he was entering upon false ground and
to encourage him when he struck that
which promised well. SO keen was
her artistic sense that he came to rely
upon her entirely and would not trust
bfs Nsyrv oh haA ,rftk -
Blanca came to love the man In
whose career she was interested. AS
for Giovanni, he was absorbed In his
work. II he loved Blanca be was not
aware of it. though there was vague
ceiling within him that she was neces-
'ary to him as a companion as well as
/ critic.
When his altar piece was finished he
eft Florence with it to take It to Rome
IN parting with Blanca he said to her:
whatever success have made In
his picture | owe to you. II II brings
pc fame you are entitled to share II
With me. There is no way by which
on can do that so well as becoming
~ wife. That you shall be whenever
on choose"
"You owe me nothing, Giovanni"
vas the reply. If have guided you
n right artistic paths 1t has been with
ne greatest ease. have had simply
, see with my ewes and speak with
~ voice"
Giovanni, not considering that his
Did offer was unlikely to draw any
iferent reply, was much disappointed
1t. 1t is possible that II revealed to
i'm that his heart was in Bianca's pos ,
,ssion. At any rate. he went to Rome
ishing that she had 4ccepted his offer
His altar piece was accepted by the
)pe and when set up in the church a
II which 1t had been created was
UGH admired. The new artistic star .
at had arisen was much courted
times when he was surrounded by
tterers Blanca was forgotten. but as
on as he was alone she resumed her ,
place In his mind, and he /,
that IT was largely due !.
her he was enjoying this triumph. :
At this time the Borgias were promi, >
MT In Rome. Signora Beatrice Bor. =
/. who had married in the celebrated n
'rgia family, hearing OF the fame of I.
e Florntine artist expressed a de- :.
e 10 see him. She was a very ambi- :
US woman, one who possessed great =
wer over men and who achieved her !
1s by bringing them under her sway '
occurred to her TO make a conquest
this shining light Why she desired g,
do so IS not clear; but. judging from =
: character, II is probable that IL .
S simply the eclat the domination OF :,
amous man would give her. =
ignora Borgia sent for Giovanni =.
lei and commissioned him TO paint =. =.
portrait During the sittings she
s dressed In the most becoming cos
mes that could be devised She was -
beautiful as she was inscriptions y
strove to dominate the artist =,
ough his senses. While be was at -
rk be kept her talking In order to :.
az out an animated expression. She -
trlved to turn the conversation upon -
lt interested him, for she was de -,
us TO learn II his heart was preoc- ~ ~