The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-05-05
MISOELLAN EOUS.
THE PAINTER LOVER.

SOlOflO ue AUlOIlO WAS OTlpUlully gypsy,
or wandering tinker, and twas in this char
acter he first made his appearance. in the
beginning Of the fifteenth century, in Ma
pies, He was then in tho habit Of going
from street to street and from house to
house il his peculiar craft. While in that
city, he Glanced to do some jobs in the
house Of Colantonlo del Fierc, distinguish
cd painter. This man had u beautiful daugh-
ter /; the young lady was seen by Solorio,
who at first sfEht fell in love with her. The
tinker, though of humble origin, and pur.
suing menial culling, carried with him a
warm heart and a bold, enthusiastic mind.
This was cvinced by his taking the courag-
cous step Of going to Colantonio aud actually
asking tho hand Of his daughter in marriage.
His application was treated with ridicule by
Colantonio, who, by way of extinguishing
the poor gipsy's hopes, told him that ho
meant to bestow his daughters hand upon
some one, only, who was good painter as
himself .-a
Then will you accept of me for your
son-in-law,n said SOlario, " If. alter a certain
time shall present myself with that quail.
fcationl viii you give me ten years to
itllll w Iuibb, uhh w SSii w lOui
daughter .t ...T' 10
The paintcr, thinking no was not hazard.
ing much by agreeing to such proposal,
and wishing to get rid of the impetuous i'm
portuni,ies Of the tinker, which were be-
coming rather alarming, acceded TO Solario's
request, on condition that he left Naples
and did not show his face for that term of
years. The agreement having been ratified
by respectable Witnesses, one of whom was
princess, the reigning kings sister, who
perhaps Joined in the affair for the fun of it,
Solario left Naples for Rome, but no one
there would encourage him in his pursuit
for art and love under difficulties. Hearing
Of Lippo Dalmnsi, q painter Of Bologna, he
repaired thithor. Lippo also attempted to
discourage him but not to be baflled by
ridiculc or deferred by difficulties, he pressed
his applications so perscvcringly, employing
even tears to aid his en,reaies, that tho re-
lucrant painter was ut last induced to ad
nit him as pupil. But all difficulties were
not at an end. He was poor, and to supply
his necessities he would frequently 90 to the
neighboring village in his profession OF tinker
and return with unquenched ardor to the
performance of the higher duties of the ar
tist. His application was as unccasing as
his progress was unqucstionable. He had
not been with Lippo long before his master
and fellow students saw that he had within
him the germs of genius, and sufficient in
dustry and enthusiasm to ultimately secure
success and those who at first laughed at
him for his adventurous love, now encour
aged him to perseverc with unceasing activ.
ity in the great work 10 which he had lucki.
| ly committed himself He remained six OF
seven years with Lippo, and then left Bo
logna 30 visit the other great cities of Italy,
with n view to improve himself in his arts
by studying the various styles Of the grea,
masters. lie spent three years in this way,
during which time he visited Florence, Fer
rara, Venice and Rome. BY this time he
had become deeply penetrated with love
for his art, and wherever ho went he felt
more inspired for Italy in that age was
cousccrated by the presence OF Genius, and
the atmosphere of its cities was redolcnt
with incense offered at the shrine Of the
Beautiful f.H' 'i rii
After an absence Of nine years and some
months, Solario returned to Naples as q
stranger, but with letters of introduction to
some of the distinguished families Of that
city. lie brought with him Madonna and
Child OF his own drawing. and presented it
to his former patroness, tho princess, who,
during the interval, had become queen
Aeceraining that he had painted the beau
tiIul picture, she sat to him for her portrait,
which Solario painted with exactitudc and
finish, When Her Majesty had expressed
her appreciation of the picture, Solario threw
himself at her feet, and asked her IL she did
not recollect the wandering gypsy who, ten
years before, had the honor Of being admit
ted to her presence, and in whose fortune
she had been pleased 10 take an interest
The queen, ai(cr closely observing him. and
calling memory to her assistance, saw that
he was indeed the very man. The queen
Immediately sent for Colantonio, and asked
his opinion OF her newly painted portrait
The old artist ex,olled il beyond measure
On Her Majesty asking him If he would not
prefer giving his daughter to ono who could
so paint, than wait any longer for the return
of the gipsy, Of whom for so long q time he
had heard nothing, the Neapolitan too glad
of an opportunity to be released from his
engagement. eagerly expressed his assent to
the proposal. = II, ,....r,l... ...... t,..
Solario was then called from behind the
curtain, where he had been listening to the
whole conversation, and was introduced 10
Colantonio by the queen MS he who had been
the gypsy. but who, by his matchless indus.
try, and his uuquenchable love Of, ait and OF
the old gcntleman's daughter, had hcroically
smitten down difficulties, and realized his
magnificent dream by becoming great
painter. Colantonio, struck with astonish.
ment, saw before him the very face and form
which had so earnestly asked FIR b;s dau,b.