Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-09-10

n0cents That looked like one Of my own
pictures, and looked for the name: " Infancy"
by P. Pinkalls. ~ shall certainly make Mr.
PiDkall's acquaintance" thought Then
came young lady looking over her shoulder
In the lOvliest manner. Such golden hair
such blue veins--such rose-tlnt on the check
such heavenly eyes! Such transparent
creature altogether I stood cnraptured--
that was better than Fanny Ann "Fancy
head, by r. SuIly," found it to be. "Oh,
what a fancy L exclaimed, in boyish enthu-
SIasln, I" that I can never surpass."
A young man was copying it, and immc-
diateiy resolved that would do the same,
Mr. OchTc came into the gallery at that mo-
ment, and l hastened to meet him. ~ have
found the most exquisite painting" exclaimed
leading him eagerly towards it, land know
you will approve Of my copying it."
"What,-that waxy little thing he said,
My dear child, do you not know better than
that after all my instructions?' and he took
me back to the head by Coplcy, and told me
might copy that If could. "But you had
not better copy anything, he added" draw
ffom nature, my boy. Go on as you have be-
gun, only do not make your faces pink and
white, and get Fanny Ann out your mind as
fast as you can" wondered how he knew
eT mentioned her name but twice in his pres
ence, and then almost in whisper.
So | went to Mr.. Ochre's studio every day,
and Irish boys were hired from the street to
sit for mo and the ether-pupils.- Very unfit
subjects for tiny brush though them, until |
Glanced to see O picture Of beggar boy by
Murillo and then they rose in my cStccm.-
had heard that Muriilo was very great
genius, and if he painted bcggar boys, why
should not II
Well. painted Irish boys and German boys,
until knew had learned oil could from
Mr.. Ochre, and that it was time for me to set
up my own studio, and patronizc American
them us only genius can.
"R. Gumb, Portrait Painter" was the golden
name upon the sign that dccked one corner
Of a doorway, which led to flight of stairs,
and SO on to the fourth story, where sat in
state, awaiting my unknown visitors nv
studio was furnished with Skylght, an easel,
an old shawl with q very effective border,
covering table on which stood torso, a
small Venus, chair for the sitter, and two
for friends, lay figure, six new, suggestive
canvasses, dnd my paint brushes "NOw
AIN ready" | exclaimed, welding my maui
stick and making thrust at the portrait ofan
Irish boy eating an apple. My dear little
fellow, you will soon see what beauty and
grace will appear" had gone to my studio
at nine o'clOck--I stayed until dark ate
two crackers for dinner, and an apple like the
Irish boy, and nobody came. l wondered at
II very much. Two Of my best portraits were
in the Exhibition, and l thought the public
were dying to be taken. But they cannot
know j am here" mcditatcd. "One little
sign in city full of signs attracts no attcn.
ton. ought to advertise my number; but
advertising Is so expensive. | wish some one
would buy my pictures in the Exhibition; but
there is no love for art in this country. Rose.
wood and buhl are more valued than genius.
Oh, italy," / sighed, and locked my door,
and went homo to my attic.
thought my pictures might have sold, il
the subjects had been of more general interest
No one wants portraits except relations,
and the relations Of these cannot afford to
purchase such luxurics." | said. "IfI / paint
q composition" it will find ready sale,-
what shall it be?" Ny Imagination was filled
with remembrance of Jcphthah and his daugh-
ter; but did not care to attempt the warrior,
and tho daughter alone would hardly suffice /;
20 determined to paint Iphigenia as pricstess
at Aulis.
draped my lay figure with a sheet. and
commenced. The treatment was purely clas-
steal. The garment fell in dignitied folds to
the feet, broken only by an invisible glrile at
the waist it was fastened on each shoulder
by burning gem,-l painted them from two
brass breaches, set with crimson glass, which
bought for the occasion. One hand rested
lightly upon an alter, represented by my table
and the Go1lered shawl-the other was press
cd upon her breast. The arms were very
white, and ono Of them quite round. The
face wns raised, and the expression Of pions
resignation was very well given. The hair
was beautifully dishevelled. The blue Med-
terrnnean in the distance led the eye to the
horizon, and was whole week painting it.
| worked quite steady, fcaring-visitors might
come it / went out Occasionally, exhausted
by the inspiration Of my subject, took q
short walk but always pinned up paper
to say that should return Immediately, and
placed n chair outside my door, thinking ladies
would be out of breath coming up so many
stairs, and would wait longer if they found a
resting place. When returned, always felt
quito sure that some one had called during my
absence, and l regretted that had been out
When my painting was finished, doubted
whether had better ask Mr.. Ochre to come
and look at it, or not. knew there was great
J0AAOOSy auVil6 aTIiSCS, bIu IcaTcu uc Ulbut
not be pleased to find his pupil had become
his rival; but told him in an of-hand way,
one day. that had picture on my easel he
might like to step in and look at some time
when he was passing; and he came.
saw a smile quivcring upon his lips as he
stood before it. He walked about my studio,
looked at the turso, praised my Venus, asked
me where bought my paints, approached
the priestcsS, and burst into q loud hugh. 81
can't stand it, Gumbo," be exclaimed: " 1t is
too good!"
] knew it was good myself, but its merits
bad very different effect upon me. was
aStonished at his laughing; had Intended
that the painting should produce exalted emo.
tiOns, mingled with sorrow. "How did you
make the fOlds'Of that drApery 30 straightp"
he said, "you must have ruled them, and
there are no limbs under them. The arms
are like chop-sticks; they are not half so good
as those of little Patrick Malone, you painted
six months ago. The head is stuck on with
. skewer, is it not? Nothing else could keen
it up so. And the figure does not stand-a
breath Of air would puff it all away. No, no
this will never do You must keep to real
life; your fancy pictures arc absolutely good
for nothing" And, he turned to me with
what he intended for good patured smile,
suppose but saw that jealous look in the
corner ofhis eye. r. ~
.. The public shall Judge between u.s."
said quite sFAady. -.. -
he looked at me as If he would laugh again,
but laying his hand on my shoulder, said
Come, my boy, see how n is. You think
you' have done something very good, and thai