The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-10-11

| Cle linPlu ana quiet waters beneath,
in which seems to be reflected not on.
| ly the tints but the calm OF beaver.
The picture | am vsinIy endeavor.
ing to despribo represents the scene ut
about u sunset. The shadows and
inists of evening are already collecting
about the lake, and its shores render.
ed just iHdlstlqot enough to give chance
toithe imagination to conjure up strange
and romantic fancics. and to people the
gathering shades with the tabled spir.
its with which tho classic poets
were wont to populate such enhancing
scenes. The whole picture is radiant
with poetry and nature-romance and
reality-bIended like the light and
shadow, aud withal so cunningly that
It captivates the mind like some de.
lIclous dream Of a brighter world.
The correspondent Of the London
Art Journal, describing his visits to
the various Roman, studios, gives the
following touching sketch Of gifted
but unfortunate artist:
AS yet fame and prosperity had
attended tho Efforts of those artists
whose studios we had visited. Blu,
sad change was now to meet us we
picked our stops along IN unutterably
broken up, dirty lane, d then groped
our way up dark winding staircase
! to the next studio on our list. We
were admitted with all the eagerness
OF that hope delayed which maketh
the heart sick There was an ANXIOUS,
wan look about the pretty woman
(evIdently the painters wife) who re.
ce'ved US and then instantly withdrew.
Italian rooms no carpet covered the
brick floor, little furniture appeared
anywhere the only embellishments were
several large fresh pictures lin old
frames, all unsold productions Of q
mer'torious but neglected artist. Hc
"a poor, thin, shrivelled, grey haired
man, sat painting in his little studio,
dressed in a threadbare coat, and rose
evidently startled and surprised at the
entrance of visitors it was easy to
see that few came his way A fine,
spirited picture of the conipagta, with
adm,rable groups. of cattle aud peas
ants in the foreground, drawn ike
Paul Potter, and excellently colored,
stood on the easel. Had this poor
man been the fashion, how mich and
how justly would his picture have been
praised ? Asked them ifit was a
commission :No, lnever have any
commissions now he replied, With
heavy sigh. Was he going to Send il
t" the exhibition of the royal Acade
my? No, for he could not afford
the expense, and he had no friend
to ensure even tolerahle place ]
felt quite touched, bu. only 'vSeH,ured
to say that lwarrniy and SINCERELY
admired the picture Of his easel,
"A pale gleam Of pleasure atole
across his face, and then faded but
like the flame Of a wanted lamp, On
the walls wero beautiful sketches of
tie landscape and anilna!s. one, a
blood.red sunset, with All old run
darkening the foreground, | admired
greatly. ought to add that this poor
neg lect' man is one Of the best ami.
NAL painters alive, after Landseer.-
He has engraved series Of etchings
that prove his talent and there is
great picture by him of men on horse
back chasing drove Of wild bullocks,
galloping down into the foreground,
Which is really admirable. But what
matters all this ? il is two late now
the iron has entered into his soul, and
he is painting, old, and brokep hearted.
In the corner of the studio was
lovely female face just sketched in. =
shall never finish that portrait, begun
twenty years ago now and he sighed
again understand the allusion:
that picture was the representation of
tho 'aoe which had been his fate
When it wss begun, he was q rising
artist, received in the magnificent sa
looms Of cer.ain wealthy Roman no.
ble'nan, on q footing of equality with
the rest Of his professional brethren.
The original of tho head we we're now
looking at was q beautiful model who
often sat to him, and whom he regard
cd with the lovers as we'll as the ar.
lists eye. She was very good, very
virtuous, sitting only for that fatal face
| WHICH worked him such woe. Al last
he married the model he was proud Of
his fair and honest wife, and in mo.
ment Of imprudent but pardnnabIe
enthusiasm, he took her with him t.
one of the great Roman nohlernan's
fparties. Had she not been so surpas-
s'nsly lovely, she might have passed
unnoticed; but as il was. ell eyes were
bent upon her: a buzz went ruun / the
room of wonder and admiration, but
with i, there mingled gradually whis.
per that tho beatty had been mod.
el.
Both husband and wife were desired