The 1871 letter quoted above, written from New York, is the only
reference in a Brumidi letter of the Brumidi file in the Architect’s
office to any painting of Brumidi’s outside of Washington. It seems to
have been proven, though, beyond a doubt that _The Crucifixion_ in St.
Stephen’s Church in New York is one of at least four such sacred
paintings. The picture of _Saint Peter_ and _Saint Paul_ was painted in
the Philadelphia Cathedral; _The Holy Trinity_ was done in the Cathedral
at Mexico City, and _The First Communion of Saint Aloysius_ was placed
above the altar in the old Saint Aloysius Church in Washington.
A study of the Saint Aloysius mural brought to light a letter written by
Brumidi in Italian to Father Sestini of Georgetown University back in
1855. Father Sestini is said to have been such a close friend of
Brumidi’s that the artist included the Father in his fresco of St.
Aloysius. This letter to Father Sestini, translated by Father Geib of
Georgetown University, is reproduced in its entirety, it being the only
communication found from Brumidi to a Father in the Catholic Church. The
letter to Father Sestini follows: