PIUS XI, Pope (1930)

Achilles Ambrose Damian Ratti was born on May 31, 1857. He was elected Pope on February 6, 1922 and died on February 10, 1939.

The picture was said to have been painted to hang in the New Pinacoteca of the Vatican which Pius XI founded (see Cardinal Cerretti’s letter below). As such it is stated in Muller-Ury’s entry in Who’s Who, and in his New York Times obituary of July 8, 1947.

Cardinal Cerretti, a great friend of the artist, wrote the following letter to Muller-Ury c/o Duveen Brothers, 720, Fifth Avenue, New York, from Rome on November 16, 1930:

‘My dearest friend,

I hope you received my telegram of bon voyage acknowledging receipt also of your most kind letter from Rome.

I was so happy to learn that you enjoyed your visit to Orvieto so much. You must come again and not for a flying visit.

You will be pleased to know that your portrait of the Holy Father and of myself are admired by all those who have had the opportunity of seeing them, and they are legions. Both portraits are wonderful. You have put in them as much of life as a most eminent and skilful artist can do. The whole composition in its lights, shadows, combination of colors, could not be more artistic and powerful.

It is common opinion at the Vatican that your portrait of the Holy Father is the best ever made. For that reason I am happy to tell you that it will be placed in the gallery of modern art in the new Pinacoteca.

Mr Anderson, who is at present in Florence, will make the photo of both portraits towards the end of the month. Of course I shall have the pleasure of sending you some copies.

Mons. Burke has refused to take back the frame, saying that he is only too glad to give the frame for such remarkable work of art. A new frame was already ordered, but on account of Mons. Burke’s refusal we had to recall the order. Come vede e’ cosa di viente!

It will give me the greatest pleasure to interest myself in getting for you a title, which, as you say, may give you the courage of sitting al fianco of your friend the Marquis: I need, however, a short time.

And now, how to express my feelings of deep appreciation and gratitude to you. You may be sure that I shall treasure your marvelous work all my life, and I feel very proud indeed to have it. With every good wish and sincerest thanks, I remain

             Yours gratefully and sincerely, B. Cardinal Cerretti.’

Cerretti evidently kept his promise to help the artist acquire a title for Muller-Ury was granted the title of Papal Count in 1931.

The picture has an Anderson, Rome, photographic negative no. 31294.

The whereabouts of this portrait is something of a mystery. It presumably hung in the Nuova Pinacoteca until 1939 when the Pope died. As with all absolute monarchies, the picture must have been replaced or removed when Pius XII was elected. However, the editor’s efforts to trace the portrait have not met with success; indeed, when the exhibition catalogue Papa in Posa: 500 Years of Papal Portraiture (ed. Francesco Petrucci) was published in 2005 it included a listing at the back of every Papal portrait stored or displayed in the offices and corridors at the Vatican, but Muller-Ury’s 1930 portrait was conspicuous by its absence.