Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1885 — A Hungry Artist. [ARTICLE]

A Hungry Artist.

Luis de Morales was born in 1509, and was the first Spanish painter who acquired a reputation outside of his own country. His subjects were all religious, and he was called “El Diviho, ” or “the divine,” on this account. When Morales was fifty-five years old, Philip 11. invited him to court. When he appeared before the King, he wore so magnificent a costume that Philip was angry, and ordered a sum of money to be paid the artist, and a dismissal sent him at the same time. So mortified was Morales that he forsook his art and fell into great poverty. In 1581, Philip visited Badajoz and saw Morales in a very different dress from that which he had worn at court. “Morales, you are very old,” said the King. “Yes, sire, and very poor,” replied the painter. Philip then commanded that two hundred ducats of the crown rents of Badajoz should be given each year to the painter to supply him With dinners. Hearing this, Morales exclaimed “And for supper, sire ?”

This aptness so pleased the King that he added one hundred ducats to the pension, and these sums gave Morales comfort for the rest of his days. The street in Badajoz in which he lived still bears his name.— St. Nicholas.