Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-27

Mrs. Elizabeth lfarray and Her
Career.

From the New York Evening POST
This lsdy, who is nO| spending few
months in New York, has 8 worldwide
reputation. She has lived and painted
in every quarter Of the globe, sometimes
/ the guest Of royalty, and at others OF
the Spanish gypsies, or contrsbandisls.
Large sums are paid for her works in
Europe, where no water color collection
/ is considered complete without one of
her pictures. On the other hand the
| price Of her dinner has sometimes been
offered her st some wsyside inn for one
of these same works, Rnd the key has
/ been turned upon her until she has com
/ pieted sketch of her landisdV. Her
studies have bsen in the gypsy forge, in
/ prisons, In palaces, but oftener on the
! road; the spot that provided her with
/ the best subjects she regarded as the
most attractive studio; to her personal
accommodation she was Indifferent,
For several years Mrs. Murray lived in
Morocco, where she had access to the
Moorish ladies, whs have provided sub
iscts for some OF her most celebrated
works, and also to the interior OF the
Jewish hoGseG, which are exceedingly
picturesque. One OF her most famous
pictures, now in the possession of Sir
Moses Montefiore, "The Rabbi Reading
the Talmud to a Hebrew Family,D Is
painted from the interior Of one of these
houses.
Mrs. Murray has gained her principal
reputation, however, ss 8 painter of
Spanish SUBJECTS. On one occasion, when
very young, she went to Spain, and pro-
ceeded to the town OF Chielana, near
Csdiz, the birthplace of the famous Mon
tez, the most celebrated bull-fighter that
Spain ever bossted. Arriving at the
town she was attracted by the walls Of
an old convent, resting upon 3 back
ground OF orange groves, and sat down
in the road to transfer the picturesque
scene to canvas, quite regardless Of sp-
pesranees, snd bent only upon making
her sketch. She began to draw, and the
usual crowd that attends the move
ments OF the artist in Spain, collected
around her. One OF her impromptu su-
dience was man who seemed greatly
disturbed st seeing her sitting In the
road. After looking st her for sometime
he stepped up TO her side and offered her
his assistance TO rise-sn set quite sd- |
missi5le in spain, whers a stranger fre- /
quently offers his arm to lady when !
crossing the street, etc This man proved /
to De the famous 5ullshghter himself !
Mrs, Murray was provided with letter I
to him, and when she found out who he |
was, she accompanied him to his beRuti- /
fui cottage, where he showed her several /
magnificent dresses, spangled with sill /
yer and gold, that had been presented 4
to him by the Spanish Government for I
his pr9Wess in killing bulls. he dis 4
played, also. number OF brOnzas IS, books, /
etc, sll Of which had hesn presented to
him by persons of distinction. The walls
Of his house were ornRmented with de-
vices made by the swords with which be /
had slaughtered SO many animals amid
the cheers and waving Of hAniksrohiefs
of the Spanish beauties. A bull-fghter's i
sword is no mean gifsi and MonteE took
one down, and, after examining it for /
the last time, with q sigh OF tender re-
gret as he recalled, undoubtedly, the
bulls that the keen instrument had de-
spstched, he presented it to Mrs. Muir
ray, and begged her to keep it for his
sake.
The society In London called The
Society of Female Artists" was founded
by Mrs. Murray, with the assistance Of
Mrs. Grote, the late Lord Lsnsdone, and
other eminent English people. She Is
the only member OF either OF the two
water color societies IN London who has
ever resided in. America. 1t is quite un-
usual, indeed, for any member Of these
two exclusive societies to make their
residence abroad since the fact OF their
membership gives such high position
to the artists belonging to them inst their
works are always in demand st very
high prices st home. Mrs. Murray left
England aud came to this country to se-
com pany her husband and SOD, the for
mer having been appointed British Com
sul for Maine and 3 sw Hampshire. She
was unable to endure the severity OF
New England winter, and therefore has
made her temporary homain New York.
This artist has gone through g long
and severe course Of study In anatomy,
and has gained 3 reputation for her
knowledge Of this science, and skill In
her knowledge In art, :
which is quite unusual even among mes.
Her special qualities are richness OF col
oring and force of characterization. Her
portraits are very celebrated In Europe.
A long and interesting list Of these works
might te given. Among them may be :
Portraits Of the late King