Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-12
A. T. STEWARDS ..MEIssONIER.

Paris Correspondence PhI1delphid Bulletin !
All Paris, or at least all artistic Paris, has
been crOwding the salon of the Artist Club in
the Place NendOme, to see the famous paint
Ing by MeissOnier which Is now being ex-
hibited there. You are probably aware that
this production of the most celebrated French
artist OF the day, and which Is known by
no other name than the laconic appellation
OF "1SN )" Is about to make its way across the
hands Of the fortunate purchaser, Mr.. Stew.
art, OF New York, for the trifling considera-
ton OF 800 900 francs! suppose tnis is about
the largest sum ever paid for the work of q
picture was originally Intended 70 have
passed into the possession of Sir Richard
wallace for the sum OF 200, 900 francs, but
whether that gentleman was not pleased with
his bargain, or whether the artist thought ne
had let him off too cheap at the last men,
TONED price, am not prepared to say. Ger
tain II is that the American man of millions
has stepped in bet Veen the first-ma bar
gain and Its conclusion, and carried Off q
prize which will make him the envy Of a
thousand competitors. The transaction has
BEEN noticed in all the leading journals
of this continent almost as much as If ii
had been some important political event.
Thus the Independence Beige tells US, dprOpos
to 1t, that Mr.. Stewart pays income tax on a
declared revenue of S25,O00,000 per anuun.
The Figaro, of Paris, relates how Mr.. Stew
art, finding the government of the North
$50 coo 600 in his debt at the close of the war,
and fearing 1t might be Involvement at that
moment to repay him, said to,d supplement !:
"Only $50, 900 900! Don't mention ii :" and
SO scratched out the debt with a stroke OF
his pen. The same journal warns its readers
not TO confound "Stewart, of New York
with that other Stewart" (Of Philadel-
phia,) who Is the happy pOssessor OF the
finest collection OF Fortuny's paintings ex-
tant, ito the number, If mistake not, of thir-
ty-nine,) and who, says Figaro, to distin guish
him from his above mentioned namesaSe. is
called Stewart the poor" having only
100000 year "PdauTe hoHlBle ~ exclaimed
,sFfSf n tn
to return to the "1s07" of MISSIONER. The
year and subject show that the picture is
an episode, or rather prologue, of the battle
OF Fiiedland, just about to be fought by
greatness and power. There he sits on horse
back, surrounded by Ney, Lannes, Oudlnot.
and the greatest OF his marshals, about TO
achieve second victory of Marengo. Hur-
rying along in fiery haste to take up the ap-
preaching field Of combat, regiment on
pOnderous cuirassiers salute their chief with
cries OF almost frantic enthusiasm as they
gallOp past in headlOng impetuosity, as IL
already trampling the enemy beneath their
feet. Nothing can exceed the sense OF tumul-
taoas force ana no energy eco nv. oy their
officer at their head, who rises In his stirrups
and turns to brandish his sword and salute
Napoleon as he passes, is, perhaps, the chef
effect. Nothing can exceed the beauty of de-
tail and force OF action with which the above
figure Is given, and there are many other
the miniature painting of the heads Of the
marshals, the accoutrements OF the riders,
and the minute anatomy of the horses, in
which the pencil Of Meissonier shines with
all its wOnted power. But 1t Is time to men
ton at once the great interest and curiosity
Of this work. tits by far the largest picture
the artist has ever painted since he has been
celebrated, being about feet by 8 in size.
Meissoner began with these dimensions, but
never gained repute until he adopted the mi
mute style and finish which have made him
famous. He has now gone back to his first
love, and attempted an historical painting,
for such his "1867" really Is, or pretends to
be. Mr.. Stewart undoubtedly possesses q
painting OF marvellous ability as to execu
and study OF which will be invaluable for his
artistic cOuntrymen.