Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-25
FINDS
DUCE fine SUBJECT
Exhibitor at CoFcoran Tells
of Surprise at Receiving
Unsought Commission.
BY GRETCHEN S. SMITH.

Italy's famous premier is an ideal
subject for artist and sculptor, declares
Fausta Vittoria Mengarini, Roman
sculptures, several pieces of whose work
including a portrait bust Of Mussolini
were exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery
last week
Generally speaking, admission to the
presence of II Duce is difhcult matter
obtainable only after going through
much formality and the presentation
of numerous properly Endorsed creden-
tialS. Signorina Mengarini was ushered
into the premier's presence utterly I'M
aware of whom she was to meet, after
receiving an official summons to appear
at the ministry of foreign affairs.
Il was working in my studio in
Rome" she said. when one day re-
ceived word that was wanted at the
ministry of foreign affairs. When ]
arrived there was ushered into large
office, at the desk of which a man sat
writing. 1 had not the slightest idea
whom he might be, and had never seen
MuSsolini in my life. When he arose
from his desk was amazed by the face
Of the man before me. 1t had never
occurred to me that I was to see Musso-
lini, as to see him or to obtain an
interview with him is one Of the most
difficult things in the world. However,
when I saw the genius and the person.
atty stamped on the face of this man I
realized 1t must be MusSolini, and, of
course, was greatly excited when he
said:
"'You are going to do my portrait
Gentle, Kind and Thoughtful.
"'All right, excellency,' was all I
could stammer at the time, I will do it.
IT worked on MusSolini's portrait for
two and a half months" continued the
signorina, land have never met q
kinder, gentler or more thoughtful indi-
vidual. Mussolini is interested in every
one, and nobody Is too humble to re-
ceive his help when it Is needed. II 1t Is
necessary, for instance, to reduce the
ONCE force and some one must be dis
charged, no matter II it Is only char
woman or janitor, he always gives In
structionS that work of some kind be
found for that person.
LAS a model he is ideal" declared the
young sculptures. HE is utterly I'M
conscious of your presence while you
are studying him, and absorbed in his
work he bears a strong resemblance to
Napoleon. consider him the strongest
personality have ever Sculptored."
Signorina Mengarini's entire career
has been as remarkable as her unso-
premier. Slight, piquant with bodied
black hair, while yet in her early thir-
ties. she has risen to the top of her
profession, and is the only woman in
Italy today whose work has received
official recognition from the govern
ment At the time she received the
commission to do" Mussolini the Jour-
mails of Rome and of the entire country
were singing her praises in honor of
the monument designed and executed
by her to the soldiers of Borgo, dis
trict of Rome. The unwilling of this
monument was attended by the King
and high officials of church and state
Since that time she has been awarded
the commission to design q lighthouse
to be erected by the government at
MasseuS, on the Red Sea, in COM
memoration of the Italian conquest Of
Eritrea.
Had to Combat Prejudice.
It has been necessary for the sculp-
treSS to combat much prejudice in her
climb up the ladder of fame. A tradi-
tional discrimination against women in
public life has existed in Italy since
time immemorial. Born in Rome and
studying in the galleries and art CEN
tiers of the city, she had to Surmount
many obstacles before her work received
public recognition.
1T was necessary for me to enter
many competitions at the beginning of
my career under an assumed name"
she said. II would not let my sex be
known on account of the prejudice
which existed against women entering
into this profession, and one time, when
my work had ben awarded first prize,
the decision was changed when the
hof I
But that prejudice is rapidly disap-
pearing now" the signorina added,
land the university is now thronged
with young girl students, who two gen.
erationS ago would never have been per-
mitted attendance"