PIUS XI, Pope (1922)

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

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The Duluth Herald, Monday July 17, 1922, announced AMERICAN ARTIST WILL PAINT POPE’S PORTRAIT on its front page, and that the artist (photographed) had sailed on the Berengaria recently with a commission to paint the Pope. Muller-Ury arrived in Rome to paint his first portraits of Pope Pius XI on September 1, 1922, and started work on them ten days later. He left Rome on October 11, 1922. At this time he executed three pictures of the Pope. In March 1923 the Pope created Muller-Ury a Knight of St. Gregory the Great.

Painted in 1922. This replica may have been finished in New York. Muller-Ury wrote to Archbishop Hayes on July 3, 1922 as follows:

‘My dear Archbishop,           

As I intend to sail for Europe on Saturday or the latest next Tuesday the 11th July I would be very glad to call on you before leaving so as to pay my respect to Your Grace. After a rest in Andermatt Switzerland where I intend to meet few mutual friends I will go to Rome to paint the Holy Father in September & I hope to bring back with me one good portrait of His Holiness for Your Grace. —

                      Your obedient Servant, A. Muller Ury.’

(Archdiocesan Archives, Yonkers 4, New York, Box Q – 7) On his return Muller-Ury did indeed give this portrait, through Mr. Lewis Nixon, to Archbishop Hayes. On November 18, 1922, Hayes wrote acknowledging the gift (artist’s papers):

‘My dear Mr. Muller-Ury,

I beg to express my very deep appreciation for your kind thoughtfulness in the presentation of the Portrait of our Holy Father, Pope Pius XI.

During the past week, the Apostolic Delegate, the new Cardinal Designate, and a number of Bishops have admired the portrait.

I am writing to Mr. Lewis Nixon thanking him for his very generous and much appreciated gift.

              With every best wish I am,

     Sincerely yours, Patrick Hayes, Archbishop of N.Y.’

However, according to a letter from Monsignor Charles O’Hern in the Archives of the Archdiocese of New York dated February 22, 1923, and written from the North American College in Rome, it is clear that the Archbishop was expected to surrender his picture to the Pope who wanted one for himself! But the Catholic University appears never to have received a portrait of Pius XI, and since this portrait still survives in New York presumably Archbishop Hayes demurred, or Muller-Ury painted yet another version which is missing.  The artist left his 1930 picture of the Pope in Rome and there seems not to have been any payment for this as Cerretti had the artist created a Papal Count in 1931. The letter is worth quoting in full:

‘Most Rev. and dear Archbishop,

Some time ago I mailed to you a Brief creating Mr. Muller-Ury a Knight of St. Gregory. This is the history of it. Mr. Ury painted three portraits of the Holy Father last September which pleased His Holiness very much. One he gave to the College, one was for the Catholic University and one, I understand, was destined for Your Grace’s house. The Holy Father and his family were much pleased with the likeness and Mons. Caccia, the Maestro di Camera told me the Holy Father expressed to him the idea that He (the Holy Father) might order one for Himself. This he could not accept if He gave the order and when they learned what Ury usually gets for a picture I believe they were loath to go further with it. When Mons. Cerretti came on he suggested that should the Holy Father decorate Ury he might feel obliged to show his appreciation by offering Him a painting. Hence the Brief. The Chancellor of Briefs put Mons. Cerretti’s and my name into it to have something to write about: and they asked me to send it. I had a letter from Ury stating that his portrait had been presented to Your Grace and I thought you would like to present it to him. I must add that Mons. Sebastiani asked me if I thought Your Grace would have any objections to Ury being honored in this way as he is a resident of New York though a Swiss. I answered that I knew him to be a Catholic in good-standing, very prominent in society – and quite friendly with Your Grace and therefore did not think there would be any objections. I should have written you this when the Brief was sent but I have had many things to keep me busy. All your students are well and the general health of the entire student body has been excellent during a rather severe winter.                         

With every best wish,

                  I am always,

                        Very respectfully and sincerely, Charles A. O’Hern.’  

(Archdiocesan Archives, Yonkers 4, New York: AANY – Box Q – 7)

I am most grateful to Sister Marguerita Smith, Archivist of the Archdiocese of New York, for these references.