Existing comment:
Portrait of Mark Twain, by Edoardo Gelli, 1904
American author and humorist Mark Twain (1835-1910), whose real name was Samuel L. Clemens commissioned this portrait during his family's extended stay in Italy. Clemens was invited to lecture at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, but was unable to attend, due to his wife's poor health. Instead, Clemens sent this portrait, which he characteristically described as "better than the original". |