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Vatican Accepts Work of Perth Amboy Artist
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| By Edward Norton |
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Perth Artist Kenneth Hari decided two years ago to reject the commonplace for his first lithograph, a composite drawing of Old Testament prophets. Next month the lithograph will be hung in an uncommon place - the Vatican. The artist was stunned by the news yesterday that his work, titled, "The Prophet," will be placed in the new American artists' wing in the Vatican, and that Hari may paint a portrait of Pope Paul VI. As a full-time painter who studied at the Maryland Institute in Baltimore, Hari has painted famous faces, including that of cellist Pablo Casals. "The Prophet" lithograph came about, Hari said yesterday, when he decided to do a drawing based on Old Testament scripture he had been reading. "It's the composite, essentially, a spiritual work of art. I guess I was inspired; I don't read the Bible every day." A wealthy patron, whose identity Hari won't reveal, bought a mint first lithograph print for $500 last August and told Hari, "I'm going to get it in to the Vatican." Hari said he thought his patron was joking. Last week, Hari said, he was flabbergasted when Count Antonio Bini of Florence showed up at the artist's studio in Perth Amboy to ask - without making a firm offer - if Hari was willing to do the Pope's portrait. "I took him for a hamburger, and later I checked, and there really is a Count Bini," Hari said. The Vatican secretary of state notified him by letter in February that the lithograph had been accepted, the artist said. Hari said the presentation of the first edition lithograph to Vatican officials will most likely be next month, either in Washington, or more likely in Rome. "I'm shocked, shocked," Hari said. "It's good to hear that the Pope is patronizing artists again." Of 200 copies of "The Prophet" that were printed, only 25 are unsold, Hari said. The others have been sold at prices ranging from $125 to $250. |
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