The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-10-12

the prison. Then one convict heard that a prisoner painted wonderful picture of Christ an inspirational canvas while confined to the federal penitentiary at Atlanta.
 Correspondence between prisoners at Kilby, aided by the Big Brothers Sun day school class of the First Presby- terian church at Montgomery and Max Sasanoff, the convict-artist, whose oil paintings have won renOwn, ended Tn Sasanoff agreeing to come to kllby, live the life of prisoner and paint large picture of Christ, which will be hung Tn the prison reception hall. Saranot mas been at work about three weeks. Ills original idea was to paint only the pic ture of Christ, but has been changed so that the completed work of art, which is to be dedicated during the Christmas holidays, will show smiling Christ giving his blessing to two men, one woman and three children. f
 His Inspiration
 And to tell of the manner in which the artist changed his conception Of the picture, gives a keen insight into ms character. One day, just a few weeks ago. a wOe-begOne mountain woman ana three small daughters presented them selves at the prison gates and asked to see their husband and father. They were barefooted. They were hungry. They possessed no clothing except that on their backs. They had been evicted from their mountain farm and with no place to go, no relatives to turn to, no one who. would succor them, the mother and her three small daughters walked to NE Tn father. who is confined behind the bars.
 The case interested Warden Harris and the woman was found home and employment. One child, the oldest, is at. tending school and the woman's errand of mercy proved of vast benefit. Sasan. off. once he had heard the pitiful tale and seen the woman, asked her to pose for his picture. He then selected two convicts as models and the three small girls. ,.
 When completed the painting will hang in a frame nine feet square. The work is being done by the artist for only the cost of his materials and the cost of the frame, the total of which will not be more than $2,OOO.
 Then, when ways and means of pay ing for the painting, which will be worth at least 10000, were being con- sidered, came the Christ at Kilby club idea. Instead of collecting just enough. to pay for the cost of the picture, let any6ne who wished contribute and all over the actual expenses go into a permanent endowment fund, the in-, terest of which is to be used in reliev-i ing the distress of wives and children of the cOnvicts, the ones who pay a severe penalty for the crimes committed by another
 This idea after being adopted by the Big Brothers spread to Birmingham, where it is under the care of John W. Altman. The movement is becoming statewide and although no personal solicitation for funds is to be made con- tributions will be received in any amount. Mir. Altman has announced that a Jefferson county committee of the Christ at Kilby club will be formed within short time, composed of more than 100 citizens. And this body will assist in raising money. No quota has been set, Mir. Altman stated Saturday, because there is no sum fixed as possible goal.
 SasanOff To Speak
 Birmingham will have an opportunity of hearing Mir. Sasanoff at the Lyric theater Sunday night, when he will sing several selections at Dr. Henry NJ. Ed monds service. Mir. Sasanoff, besides being an artist of international repute, has also been a member of the Metro politan Grand opera company and possesses a tenor voice, which has been said to compare favorably with Caruso In addition, he is a physician and sur geon of more than average ability.
 MT. Sasanoff has been living the life of a prisoner at Kilby prison and left the penitentiary only to come to Bir- mingham in the interests of the humani- tartan work of the Christ at Kilby club
 One of his noted paintings Christ The Man of Sorrow" will be on exhibi- tiOn during the service. This painting is regarded as one of the masterpieces of the age in religious painting, he cause of the vivid manner in which he