Viewing page 109 of 168

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

234

U. Nu.

Jan. 27.
[[strikethrough]] August 21 [[/strikethrough]] 

should sit. I have never done a full face portrait - except that of Razel, who was with me in spirit today. Somehow, I was tempted to do one of him. I had brought a large sheet of paper - the size of the canvas - for a preliminary sketch - & started a study of the body & hands - planning to use the photos for his head - since I only had one hour to work in. He seemed a little nervous & constrained, at first, about holding the pose. Louis quickly put him at his ease by asking whether he might make conversation & discuss his program with him while I worked. He said - please do so - and for the entire hour, Louis talked himself dry. I admired him & 


235

U. Nu.

Jan. 27    
[[strikethrough]] August 22 [[/strikethrough]] 


was proud of his handling the situation. Louis' tone of voice, his gentle yet authoritative manner, his tact & delicacy - his entire comportment made me understand why he has won the confidence, respect & affection of the Burmese, U Nu, in particular. I had half an ear only for the conversation since I had to concentrate & work fast. When it was 4 o'clock & the session over, I had a headless body, which I was reluctant to show. U Nu was too delicate to ask to see it and I was thankful for his delicacy of the matter. He remarked that it was the first time he had ever posed for a portrait & laughed when I said "It took a woman to get you to do so"

Since he is leaving on the