It Happened on
July 07, 1909
JOHN D. NOT A GREAT MAN
PRINCESS LWOLFF PARLAGHY BARS HIM FROM HER PAINTINGS
Twenty-Five Greatest Living Americans Whom the Noblewoman Will Paint Not to Include Mere Money Grabbers — Her Markham Portrait
New York, July 7 — Who are the twenty-five greatest living Americans — greatest because of brain or genius?
Ask the Princess Lwoff-Parlaghy, that picturesque Titian-locked noblewoman who came to this country recently to paint the twenty-five and, in a luxurious suite at the Plaza, is now beginning her work.
She will not tell you who they are, so maybe there isn’t much use of asking. But she will tell you who one of them is not.
That is John D. Rockefeller.
An interviewer called on the princess today and was shown a splendid finished portrait of Edwin Markham.
“There,” said the princess, “is the first of the twenty-five — America’s greatest poet.”
“Who are the others that your highness’s brush will honor?” the princess was asked.
NO, NOT MR. ROCKEFELLER.
“I have not selected all of them,” she replied. “So far I have chosen only twelve. But they are to be men who are leaders, who represent America’s progress. It will be difficult to make the selection.”
“Of course, John D. Rockefeller will be among them?” was suggested.
The princess elevated her auburn eyebrows and raised both slim hands in negation.
“For love of art only I am painting,” she said, “and not for money. No money could influence me to paint the portrait of Mr. Rockefeller.”
“But surely Mr. Rockefeller is progressive?”
“Yes,” agreed the princess, “but he has been progressive for himself only. The desire to accumulate money is not a qualification to place an American upon my list. What has he done with his money? Some he has given to hospitals — for vivisection experiments (the princess is an anti-vivisectionist) to kill poor animals. That is the work of devils. Mr. Rockefeller should give at least half of his wealth to the poor instead of using it to make more money. No, there will be no Rockefeller portrait in my collection.”
ABOUT THE MARKHAM PICTURE
The princess is highly pleased with many favorable comments that have been made about her Markham painting and is eager to start up on her next subject.
She has painted, she said, portraits of most of the members of Europe’s royal families, but felt that her life’s work would not be complete without a collection of great Americans.
“When all twenty-five are done,” she said, “I shall give them away, either as a collection to some one museum, or distribute them to various museums in this country. You have many wonderful men here. I intend to choose those who are greatest in art, literature, the sciences, invention, statesmanship and other elevating branches of thought.”
“Every one will agree that Mr. Markham is your greatest poet. He has a wonderful character and a fine face. I was glad to have an opportunity to paint his portrait.”
Original Article
