Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-01-20
sHANEOK'S MODEL.

Immediately to the the right of the space
in the handsome galleries of the Academy
of Design, allotted to water colors there
has been, since the opening night of this
annual exhibition, large vacant space.
The fact that the position is Ole of the best
lighted in the room makes visitors, who are
wholly ignorant of the troubles of hanging
committees, wonder why it is not filed.
Some Of the invited guests, who were pres
ent on the opening night and remembered
the scene which occurred in front of the
large painting catalogue 9 No. l23, Venus
Rising from the Sea- which hung there for
that single evening, may know why it hangs
there no longer, and it may be they are
aware of the romance connected Herewith ;
but few, even of those, can have heard the
particulars of the final denouement of this
singular family history hence | tell it:
In the spring of 1865, Mr.. Thomas B.
Shannon entered my study, and throwing
himself on the lounge with a fatigued air,
exclaimed:
Well, congratulate me y
''0n what -
Work is over, and AM ready at last for
my two years holiday"
80 Your work is about to begin, suppose
you mean"
No, no, say. 1t is over [ tell you.
Oh! you don't know my dear fellow, the
drudgery of talking commissions; the settle
ment of money matters: tie drawing up Of
terms; the closing of bargains with drafts
and check, which [ can understand. Paint
ing the pictures is nothing, That is the la
Dor that physics all pain-the labor l de-
Lghtin. Painting Is pleasure. y
But to be more brief, Shannon explained
that the commissions which he had sought
had been obtained. and he was authorized 10
make one large equestrian portrait, two
large paintings illustrative of my theological
subjects, and several from sketches of war
Incidents aud American scenery. Among
them was one Of - Venus Rising from the
Sea, for M Gideon L. Vanierwater, of
this city, gentleman Of culture aud wealth,
vel known by the artists as a liberal patron
2ai admired by them as sensible and crit
lcal e2nn0isseur of the fine arts. The
artist was very wisely instructed in his treat
melt or the rather hackneyed theme ;
Aaais9me sum was named as the price of
the picture, and the privilege Of exhibiting
Hbetgre its delivery to the purchaser was
also claimed and granted.
Il Is not necessary 10 narrate at this point
the incidents Of Shannon's two and halt
years stay .n Rome, or to notice in detail
the resll, u his labOrs. Only one of the
incidents Of that residence, and only one of
The pictures painted by him have aught to
Do with this history. The incident will be
mentioned N It's proper place, the picture
Els the one ordered by Mr Vanderwater,
and which, as have before stated, hung
i2r single night in the Academy Of fDesign,
N-" York catalogued '' No I23, Venus
hLs.as irom the Sea T. 3. Shannon.
Unfortunately for me, as the narrator of
ra-s story, did not arrive at the Academy
u Design on the opening night of the ex-
A',ition Of ISIS until a late hour in the
e,ea-ug. l am compelled to give the facts
V' TIE occurrence on that evening, from the
statements made to me by Mr. Shannon.
ihe painting arrived from Europe but
is" l4ys before the evening of the exhibi-
"on' and vas hung Immediately, without
IelAg previously shown to Mr. V underwater.
|. vas therefore, only after being displayed
mat Mr.. underwater saw it.
lie entered the Academy on the evening
"a ~ question, in company with his sister and
-S Youngest daughter, his wife and his eld-
g: daughter being at this time in Europe.
soon alter entering the room he deserted
NJ Shannon, and making his way through
.-s crowd ne addressed him and welcomed
liia home In very warm terms At the end
u he Conversation Miss Vanderwater tax
S M Shaunon's arm joined with her
-@'ler IN begging the artist to guide them
- 'ne picture in which they were all inter
es'ea-elther as painter or purchaser. Shan
might have consistently declined in the
- NAed crowd present, all of whom could not
the circumstances of the case, and the
lsiauon Of the parties to himself as far as
,le picture was concerned, but having no
ia1Se modesty, and caring little for the opin-