The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c29.34

v1.c29.34

By the same letter of Fr. Coutinho we are made aware that Fontebona showed to the King several books and albums of pictures, one of them being that of Fr. Nadal. This especially was liked very much by the King². Then Venkata told the Brother that he was greatly pleased to see him painting those small pictures. Accordingly Fontebona spent a good length of time in this work, and ‘has been praised very highly by the King’³. The Provincial Laerzio confirms this news, while stating that ‘Fontebona is loved by the King and by all’⁴. Fontebona himself at the same time reports: “I am at Vellore at present...My daily occupation consists in painting several things in the palace and in the King’s presence. His Majesty is as much pleased by watching me paint painting, as I am pleased by gratifying him”⁵.