Portraits of the Masters

Portraits of Mahatma Morya

By Monsieur Harrisse

The first of the Masters ever produced was done by the French artist Monsieur Harrisse. In recalling the event, Col. Olcott writes:

Harrisse was then asked by H. P. B. to draw us the head of a Hindu chieftain, as he should conceive one might look. He said he had no clear idea in his mind to go upon, and wanted to sketch us something else; but to gratify my importunity went to drawing a Hindu head. H. P. B. motioned me to remain quiet at the other side of the room, and herself went and sat down near the artist and quietly smoked. From time to time she went softly behind him as if to watch the progress of his work, but did not speak until it was finished, say an hour later. I thankfully received it, had it framed, and hung it in my little bed-room.

A curious phenomena occurred when the Colonel was purchasing the material for the portrait:

I went to a shop close by and purchased a sheet of suitable paper and black and white crayons. The shopkeeper did up the parcel, handed it me across the counter, took the half-dollar coin I gave him, and I left the shop. On reaching home I unrolled my parcel and, as I finished doing it, the sum of half a dollar, in two silver pieces of a quarter-dollar each dropped on the floor! The Master, it will be seen, meant to give me his portrait without cost to myself.

Portraits of Mahatma Koot Hoomi

Portrait of Master K.H. painted by Hermann Schmiechen in London, July 1884

Mahatma M. wrote to H. P. Blavatsky:

Take her [Laura C. Holloway] with you to Schmiechen and tell her to see. Yes, she is good and pure and chela-like; only flabby in kindness of heart. Say to Schmiechen that he will be helped. I myself will guide his hands with brush for K[oothoomi]'s portrait.

However, in an account by Laura C. Holloway it seems that finally it was the Mahatma K. H. himself who helped the artist:

... saw the figure of a man outline itself beside the easel and, while the artist with head bent over his work continued his outlining, it stood by him without a sign or motion. She [the seer] leaned over to her friend and whispered: "It is the Master K. H.; he is being sketched. He is standing near Mr. Schmiechen." "Describe his looks and dress," called out H. P. B. And while those in the room were wondering over Madame Blavatsky’s exclamation, the woman addressed said: "He is about Mohini’s height; slight of build; wonderful face full of light and animation; flowing curly black hair, over which is worn a soft cap. He is a symphony in greys and blues. His dress is that of a Hindu - though it is far finer and richer than any I have ever seen before - and there is fur trimming about his costume. It is his picture that is being made, and he himself is guiding the work."

Online resources

Articles

• The Portraits of the Mahatmas at Blavatsky Study Center