When Pope John Paul became pope he had his portrait commisioned by a
female  artist who was Roman.  Do you know her name?

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Request for Question Clarification by markj-ga on 16 Apr 2005 09:53 PDT

dbeaudacious ==

Apparently the only "official" portrait of John Paul II was by Natalia
Tsarkova, a Russian woman who now works in Rome:

"The pontificate has also witnessed -- and encouraged -- the rise of
an extraordinary artist. Natalia Tsarkova, a young Russian Orthodox
painter from
Moscow, has received several important commissions from John Paul II.
She painted the only official portrait of the present Pope, today
visible in the Lateran Museum, as well as an enthralling version of
the Last Supper."

However, this portrait was commissioned for the Pope's 80th birthday,
only a few years ago:

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/PersonOfWeek/story?id=653501&page=1


Could this be the portrait you have in mind?

markj-ga

Hi,
Natalie is too young to have painted the Pope's portrait in the late 70s.
Could it be this portrait:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~atpc/heritage/history/h-life/famous.html

or one by Bueno Silva that is in the Vatican Art Gallery, but I can't
find a pic of it:
http://www.philtime-usa.com/buenosilva.html

Silva's style is very naturalistic, life-like.

American artist "Ruth Mayer" was officially commissioned by Vatican
representatives to paint Pope John Paul II in June 2003.  The painting
titled "Song of a Beautiful Soul" was unveiled for the Pope by the
artist Ruth Mayer in Rome November 16, 2004 - Pope John Paul II showed
his enjoyment of the work with a classic Thumbs up to the artist.  The
artist dedicated the Artwork to help children. The Pope was pleased
with her generosity of heart and soul, blessing the artist on three
separate occassions during the painting of the work.

for more information visit:  www.ruthmayer.com

Notes worth mentioning;  the inspiration of the Vatican
representatives arose out of a previous work by the artist they had
come upon titled "I Love New York".  It was the artists first
cityscape for the new millinneum, which held within it, the subliminal
image of a great angelic being, its arms outstretched behind the World
Trade Towers - while the work was completed more than a year before
the infamy of 911 - the angel was in the painting at that time - the
work was prophetic of a greater good.  It was first unveiled at the
New York Art Expo March 2000.  On the devastating day of 911  it was
in the front window of the artists gallery in Laguna Beach California
- it became a memorial of Faith and Hope - for weeks to come people
gathered in candle light vigils before the artwork standing to
represent Faith. The Vatican reps made a journey to the artists
gallery June 2003 to commission the artist to paint Pope John Paul II"
- one of them said to the artist "he was directed to her by God to do
this commission", telling her also that God had prepared her to do
this work through her lifelong career that has spanned nearly 60 years
- the Painting of Pope John Paul II is titled "Song of a Beautiful
Soul".  The work is dedicated to raise funds to help Children, and
through its unveilings, in Rome for Pope John Paul II November 2004
and New York March 2005  it has raised tens of thousands of dollars
for Childrens Charitable Organizations to help children most in need. 
The artist dedicated the artwork to the purpose of raising money to
help children exclusively.  The Laguna Beach Rotary Club Foundation
volunteered to administer the Ruth Mayer Childrens Fund, donating
their administrative assistance at no cost.  An unlimited print
edition has been licensed along with Prayer Cards that will be
available through all Catholic Gift Stores by end of May 2005.

for more information visit:  
www.ruthmayer.com
www.songofabeautifulsoul.com
www.popeprint.com