Hadrian the Seventh · Chapter
XXIII explained
After a difficult audience, Hadrian retreats to his chambers, physically and mentally rejuvenates, then counsels Sir Iulo about love and marriage, bestowing gifts and revealing a secret about color photography hidden in black-and-white nega
What happens
After a difficult audience, Hadrian retreats to his chambers, physically and mentally rejuvenates, then counsels Sir Iulo about love and marriage, bestowing gifts and revealing a secret about color photography hidden in black-and-white negatives.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Hadrian encourages Sir Iulo to marry for love, offering financial support and releasing him from duties, emphasizing domestic happiness and selflessness.
Art and Creativity
Hadrian explains a revolutionary theory of extracting color from ordinary black-and-white negatives, blending science with artistic vision.
Characters to notice
- Hadrian VII
Reflects on his own arguments, exercises, bathes, changes clothes, then privately counsels Sir Iulo about marriage and photography.
- Sir Iulo
Confesses his love for Evnica, the dentist's daughter, and receives marriage advice, a monetary gift, and a secret photographic process from Hadrian.
Key passages
“Only one man in the world knows that the colour already is there—already is there, my boy—stored in the black white grey negative; and that the black white grey ordinary negative will give up its imprisoned colours to him who has the key.”
Hadrian claims that color is inherently present in standard black-and-white negatives and can be unlocked by someone with the right knowledge.
Reveals Hadrian's belief in hidden potential and his gift of a secret photographic process to Sir Iulo.
“‘The most certain softeners of a man’s moral skin, and sweeteners of his blood, are domestic intercourse and a happy marriage and brotherly intercourse with the poor.’”
Hadrian advises that a happy marriage and kindness to the poor are the best ways to improve a man's character and well-being.
Reflects Hadrian's pastoral wisdom and endorsement of domestic life.