New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-11-24
THE WIVES OF DAVID TENIERs.

THE WIVES OF DAVID TENIERs.
David Teniers was scarcely eleven years old
when the painter Rubens came one day into the
workshop of his father. David was daubing a
small sketch; at the sight Of the great master,
the brush fell from his hand. Rubens, perceiv-
ing that his presence disconnected the youth,
picked it up, and added some touches to his
work. From that day David Teniers determined
to be a great man; yet, during more than ten
years he worked as mere painter of signs,
waiting, like our old friend, Dick Tinto, for
| better days, till the Archduke Leopold appointed
him his painter in ordinary, and gentleman Of
the chamber.
A little adventure suddenly decided his fate.
1t happened that about that time certain
gentleman Of the Court, being about to marry,
gave instructions to Teniers to paint him rep
| resentation of the god Hymen. The gentleman
being a connoisseur. Teniers employed upon the
work all the resources of his genius he initiated
the graces of Albano and the coloring Of Rubens,
! till his Hymen became more beautiful than
/ Adonis. The painter did not forget the fam
beau; never did the hymeneal torch shine with
! greater brilliancy. On the eve Of the nuptials
Teniers -iggited the gentleman to his studio
g Here,' said he, syou-behold the highest ideal
of love and beauty which my Imagination has
presented to me-"
4 You have hardly been SO successful as /
expected - said the gentleman, shaking his head
with an air of discomfort. ssI have better
idea of Hymen than this. There is something
wanting-a certain expression-a something
which feel, though can not explain it"
"You are right in not being satisfied with my
| work. replied Teniers &c 1t is scarcely dry
| yet. My colors, like those of our great masters,
improve with time. Allow me to bring you this
picture in q few weeks Since your marriage
takes place tomorrow, you will have other
business to attend to besides looking ut a por-
trait of Hymen Take my word, and il you
| find am mistaken, | renounce nay claim to be
| paid for the work.
The gentleman had nothing to reply; he left
| the artists abode to visit his intended bride.
| She was Flemish woman, of Spanish origin,
as worthy of the pencil of Murillo as that Of
4 Rubens; but, as the lady had nothing to recon-
\ mend her but her face, her mind not equaling
her beauty, Teniers, like sensible man, desired
! to give the gentleman time enough to recognize
| Hymen in his actual aspect. At the end o.
three months he conveyed his picture to the
| residence of his friend.
| "You are right exclaimed the latter at the
first glance. q Time has much improved you,
| picture. Age is necessary even to the most per-
feet work, You will allow, however, that the
expression is little too lively. 1t is Hymen
remember, not Cupid, whom you intended tt
portray. That laughing eye is scarcely natural
Hymen is reasonable god, after all"
Excellent! exclaimed Teniers. eth,
lover is now only the husband. 1t has turned
out f,s I predioted. Know. then, that it is no
my painting, but your ideal that has changed.
For the honor of his wife the gentleman was in
clined to be angry; but how could he meet sucl
A triumphant experiment! He offered at one
Ia nav him the simulated price.
NO. said the painter; "my genius ha
failed me in this affair. Grant me few day
! more.n
Ten;ers set to work again, and accomplishe
a chef-d'auyre. By the aid of perspective, h
contriyed to produce portrait of Hymen whic
should appear charming when viewed sideways
at a certain distance; but which on q closer in
snection. should be found to have a slight frowr
The Archduke Leopold, having heard the his
tory Of this picture, desired that it should b
placed at the end of his gallery. The curiou:
married and unmarried, came to inspect i
Dufresnoy, who relates this anecdote in b
) witty manner, concludes his recital thus: 90 Th
n Duke caused the portrait to be placed above
: kind of dais, to mount which the visitor had
: pass q step very polished and slippery. Belo
3 this was the pleasing. point of view; but l
> sooner had you gassea tne step than, IareWe
to the charm! lt was no longer tne san
thing.
= Cornelius Schut, the palnter-po hrst relate
: this little story I" what IS more CURIOUS sa
he in his narrative, "ls, that this portrait
ii Hymen brought about the' marriage OF Dav
IN Ieners Cornelius aenut - haa p Wara n nam N.
Anne breughe!' uaugh.er VI pleusuei, ei se
c.. ours, also painter. as sne was neautliui' W
=. OF pleasing manners o,u oorne,us ln ochoe W to
nd pleasure IN walking aoroau WIN VI ner. Dom
1les shey sisl.so uno aiso har y. :.
Van Baelen, who were 3, also ~ her gaaraaah aah
sonieeines 'ne ~, ~ @ =; III aa,,,uar a. wv ~,
times they spen1 1ne Jay ~ .ne country, Ut
or making an eneuls9n ~ Anahd,o ne uny,
tney were Mainlng IN .nG aonuutes nt !, sa,e @
,r ana ner guarulan "4s poan'ng Tsa 4us " ner
famous pusuie aftar ~ :ome reroarIs ,.sap nspps.
10 apms No. aotra sv, and na;nting Ten;ers sa;a
II tbe younp maiden: ssWould mademoiselle Ii
w .,. -. -,
i" 10 pass the s'ep'
eyes,, she replied, perhaps without q renectli IL q.
~ 81 take you at your WORD, said Ienle
Offering her MS manu- G anne Dresghel o.usn.
ana re,tsea ~ AZ pass noat than auardisn