“I was displeased at not having been in my studios when you came to
talk to me about the painting to be done in Baltimore. Concerning
this, I shall be interested to know whether the Church has a flat
ceiling, since in that case the painting could be easily executed
on canvas, and later on, be placed against the said ceiling; this
being the only way I can actually do anything in the service of the
Society (of Jesus), since my contracted engagements for the Capitol
do not let me move away from Washington, having also to offer my
assistance to other artists of decorative painting and fresco, who
work under my direction.
“If, therefore, there would be room for a picture (frame), as large
as might be its size to be placed in the said way, I could paint it
in tempera and produce the same appearance of a fresco. This is all
I can promise in the circumstances in which now I am, and you would
not attribute the objections already expressed to a lack of good
will. Meanwhile, I profess myself entirely obliged for the favors I
have at all times received from the Society (of Jesus).
“I repeat myself respectfully your most obliged servant,