“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, CONSTANTINO BRUMIDI” A certain anonymous letter from the Brumidi file in the Architect’s office at the Capitol should be quoted at this time. It was written on April 8, 1857, addressed to Mr. Walter, Architect of the Capitol, and shows Brumidi the target for more criticism. This crude and biased letter is quoted in full: [Illustration: MAIDENS OF THE NAVY The unrolled map of ocean shoreline, the compass, and the telescope carried by the Maidens of the Navy, advance the naval theme in the old Senate Committee Room on Naval Affairs. Seven other such panels of exquisite design and color complete the wall decorations of this room. The simulated pillars with seaweed carvings and pearl ornaments are as deceptive as the sea shell cornucopias on the ledge at the pillars’ base. All are painted in oil on a flat surface of dry plaster.] “The protegé and a kind of informer of Cap’t. Meigs, an Italian painter, Brumidi, paid $6 daily by Government, did three pictures for the churches of New York and in Georgetown and for which he received a good pay in hours and during the time which he had no right to dispose of.... His friend is paid too for the thing that he does not understand nor he attends to, yet all this is allowed and tolerated. What do you say about it? Shall we make public notice in papers or will you attend to it?” SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE ROOM Brumidi painted four large, bronze-colored medallions on the walls of this room, each medallion recording the profile of a noted chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.