Sarah Bernhardt persuades The Prince of Wales to have Jules Bastien-Lepage paint his portrait. The physical barrier of the English Channel terrifies Jules, almost as much as his friends overestimation of his abilities. How does a French Republican paint a man who is both the leader of the Masonic movement and future King of England, Emperor of India? When the choice is between a portrait commission for a future King and being at a ceremony to receive a Legion d'Honeur which is the priority for a Frenchman. The portrait creates problems that linger long after the artist's death

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