Natalia Tsarkova, official portrait artist to the popes for more than 20 years, likes to work from real life.

“I am so meticulous about details. I have to see and touch and feel everything,” she said.

But for her latest painting, a portrait of Benedict XVI in his life as pope emeritus, some objects could not be brought back to her studio in the historic center of Rome.

To make a study of his rosary, Tsarkova had to visit the retired pope at his home, the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City, “because Pope Benedict won’t part with his rosary,” she said.

The Russian-born artist, who has lived in Rome full time since 1995, told EWTN News in an interview last week that Benedict’s rosary is “part of him; it’s his favorite rosary.”

In 2006 and 2007, Tsarkova painted two other official Vatican portraits of Pope Benedict XVI. Now, she is portraying him in his “mission” as pope emeritus.

“Because [his] life isn’t over,” the artist said at her home and studio close to Piazza Navona. “Here are books, manuscripts, that his guardian angel is holding and pointing out, ‘Holy Father, look at these books that you’ve written. There is a lot more to publish to give light to your writings,’” she indicated.

Tsarkova unveiled the painting, which took four years to create, during a ceremony on Nov. 3 in Palazzo Cesi, a building close to the Vatican. The large artwork spans almost 6 by 6.5 feet.

The artist said she “chose the dawn to illuminate the painting. It’s a symbol of hope and new life. And this light illuminates the pope emeritus. It illuminates ... his hand, his right, and very importantly, his rosary.”

Other important aspects of the retired pope’s personality also appear in the work — Tsarkova called them “secrets” because they appear as very small details: Benedict’s ginger cat washing itself in the background, and in another part, a reflection in a jug shows Benedict XVI playing the piano.

“Music is not only notes, but it is also part of his soul,” the artist commented. “Music is in everything, and in prayer there is also music.”

Roses, “a symbol of Mary, the Virgin Mary, and a symbol of love,” also appear in the painting, she pointed out. “Roses are Pope Benedict’s favorite flowers. I asked about this,” Tsarkova said.