The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-05
'"The Last Supper Window"
William H. Wheeler, Former Waterbury News- paperman Describes Beauty of Forest Lawn Memorial Park of Los Angeles-Gives
 Background of Leonardo Di
 Vinci's Masterpieces.

signor," said the 1riar, ''by the grace of God it has not become 8 lost art in Italy," and went on to say that there dwelt in Perugia young un- married woman by the name ot Morettt, Rosa Caseln Movetti, on whom had been bestowed the title of professovina and who conducted 8 studio for the making of stained glass. No studio in Italy or else where could produce such stained glass as the Movetti, the secret oi which had been in the Movetti fam fly for seven hundred yearsl The profeSsorina IS the last of her race and unless she marrieS and has chil- dfen, or passes the secret on, it will died with her. Suggestions that she do one or the other have 50 far fallen on deaf ears.
 Dr. Eaton, who had gazed on the fading remnants of the Last Sup perl, had what he calls an inspira- ton. Would Miss Movetti be willing to undertake a reproduction of the "Last Supper? Yes, she would but there would be difnculties to over come, and it would take a long time
 How long?"
 "Six to eight years"
 The question of cost was not con- sidered.
 Naturally you will ask, how, if this picture was but a remnant of its former beauty, could anything in the way of a restoration he acc complished? The answer Is that all of do Vinci's preliminary sketches, plans, drawings, and outlines, which had to be made before the actual work was begun were StQ lin exist ence, scattered through the Inu- seums of Europe. The aid of the Italian government (MusSolinD was invoked, and In time these relics were reassembled at the MovAtti studio. Tn February, 1884, the work of making the picture was begun. The professorina had caught some of pr. Eaton,S enkhusiasp, and was determined that this picture should be the crowning work of her time, if not that of all preceding gen. erataons.
 I now quote from a booklet put out by the Forest Lawn manage ment:
 Slow Program
 Progress of the work necessarily was slow. The process of creating such a window is highly complicat- ed. First, the picture is painted on the glass, with powdered coloYed glass, mixed with oil. Entirely apart from the creative artistry, the se- lecting and matching of the colors Is 8 slow, arduous task. After the pic- ture is painted, the glass is baked carefully and repeatedly in ovens to blend the colorS and fuse the glass into one. Brealkage sometimes oc- CUTS in the oven, and then the task must be started over again."
 Of course the news that an under taking of this magnitude was under way could not be confined to Perlgia. Art lovers throughout Europe became interested. All Italy soon came to know about it. and awaited eagerly news of the progress of the work. As you know, the great mass of the Italian people are illiterate and superstitious acc cordingly. When it became known that the professorina was having trouble with the fisue of Judas many shook their heads, and said the window would never be completed. Five times the figure of the arch traitor was broken in the ovens. The professorina herself seems to have been imbued with this same super- stition, and said that if the sixth attempt was not successful she would not make another. Tt may be-" said she, ''that the good God is not willing that I should finish this work" This would have been a calamity, but the sixth attempt was successful. Judas emerged in perfect condition. The work went forward without further interrup- ton.
 The picture was completed in June, 1880, and an announcement was made that before being packed for its home in America a day would be set apart when all who wished to view it might do SO. The occas- ion was made national one. The King, Mussolini, high officers of state, ambassadors and other dig- nitaries, including even cardinals, assembled at Perugia to do honor to the work of a great Italian artist. Exercises suitable to the occasion were held. It was q great day for the professorina, who had seen the fulfillment of her hope that this would be the crowning achievement of the Morettl family for all time. American dollars and Italian artis- try had combined to produce some- thing upon which millions of peo- pie would gaze, something that with many of them would leave an impression that no time can dim.
 Heavily Insured
 The window was packed, for shipping under the supervision Of Miss Movetti and Lloyds of London, with whom it was heavily insured. 1t left Genoa June a, 1880, and reached Los Angeles hafbor August 3. The installation was not com- plete until the following April. It was dedicated on April 2e. in the presence of several notahles, iEs- eludlng the governor of California. and wfkN NafHeh HeEeua0MW M wlRa