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472. 

Rome. Saturday. April 16. 

8 AM

I read what I had written last night about Jan. Jan in Rome, Dirkian Dyk in Delhi, Peter Kellond in Nicocea [[Nicosia]], Cypress, Dr. Chetty, in Istanbul & Nicolas Della-Tulla, Athens. Also, my conversation with Salah El-Dine on the way to Athens. All unbelievable and fantastic. Perhaps it is because I want so much to help - and that these men have all sensed it - yes, perhaps that is the cause. Whatever it may be, meeting them, too, has been a wonderful experience for me.

9.30—AM — went with Jan to the Sistine Chapel again. This time, in the Pinacotheca (library) I saw a superb collection of Byzantine art. Some old Dutch Still-Life which would serve as a spring-board for a free interpretation that would be interesting. (Thought of use Matisse made of this source, & how brilliantly he realized his approach.)

Saw the Pintoruccio [[Pinturicchio]] ceilings of the Borghese appartement - wonderful in quality & color. 

Again - Michel Angelo's Creation -



473  Sat. April 16 Rome.

more overwhelming on second sight. In tears at the thought of the thousands coming daily to pay homage to his work, his God like creation.

Afterwards to lunch with Jan, who gave me his address in Indonesia. J.G. Zwart - c/o B.P.M. Balikpapan, Indonesia. Saw him to the Air Terminal where he took photos of me for goodbye. Have I described him? Six foot 4, thin. Light brown, thin hair, blue eyes, chiseled fine [[?]] lips & ears, long fingered fine hands. Altogether, the looks & manners of the reserved well mannered gentleman, which he is in every sense of the word. Spoke of his family, his tall buxom mother, his three brothers, all taller than himself.

"The sun is wonderful here." That is why I love the East. The sun cures everything. Up north, in Amsterdam, it rains 999 days of the year. The people are all cold in body & temperament. It reflects itself in their art. For me, life has changed. I have changed living in the East in the sun."

Eve - at 8.30 - the sculptor, Peikov