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20 July 1903 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Monday. 20th [July 1903]. So the Pope is dead. After fighting for life for 16 days his great age carried the day. It was a very hot day today heavy & stormy. I painted in the morning beginning another copy of the Portrait of Mahomet II for my catalogue to replace the one I gave to Queen Margherita– At 4 I had a few people to tea—the Merricks, the Misses Underwood & Mr & Mrs Johnson—also Clara Montalba who remained on with me to dinner & we went out together in gondola for an hour before I took her home. Today came news of Whistler the painter’s death whom Clara had known. She says he was a wild bad lot & entirely bohemian in his way of living– She talked of artistic people she had known in London & how she & her family had always been very particular as to whom they made acquaintance with—the more as they are artists. She told me that once a Mrs Skirrow wife of a Q.C. had suddenly tried to bring together that sort of bohemian world. She had invited them all to dine at the Star & Garter at Richmond & amongst them the Montalbas & also Browning the poet. They had gone not knowing what they were to be let in for—& to their annoyance found there Alexander the actor, actresses &c &c. Browning sat next Clara at table & let forth his anger at having been asked to such a party & added “you girls ought not to be here.” Clara assured him she had no idea who she was to have met—& of course would never again accept an invitation from Mrs Skirrow– I knew Mrs Skirrow who I used to meet dining at my sister Maria’s & it is comic to think what an old fashioned dowdy second rate looking kind of lady she was– Quite “mezzo cetto” as the Italians say. We talked also of the Venice Exhibition & the refusal to accept Clara’s picture– She will never again exhibit hers at Venice. She also agreed with me that Ciardi’s picture of the Bucintoro in this exhibition is taken from a picture she did some time ago. This struck me as soon as I saw it. She says that other less good artists have copied her pictures even more literally– She is so kindly & peaceful that she will not acknowledge this to anyone but me—but the dates at wh she painted her pictures will easily prove these facts. There was to have been a serenade this evening but owing to the death of the Pope it is deferred. I had a visit from Marzollo this morning saying he hears that the Co V. Murano in London are in treaty with Jesurum & Co in London & that there is to be a meeting of capitalists here on Thursday to try & get the money to be able to continue without this treaty & he is going to telegraph to ask them in London to wait till Friday after this meeting has been held– | |
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