The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-04
AN ARTISTIC GEM.

That Remarkable work Of Art Resur-
rected I'm our City.
II may be on account Of the cosmopolitan
character OF New Osleans and the onanissne
gatts,atn, that our metropolis has almost, aimee
It's settlement, been the haven for those who,
separated from home ties, journeyed thither for
respite from political troubles and place In
which to make livelihood. that the workers in
art and those who considered It's value resorted
thither with whatever Of value they possessed in
that line.
With this prelude and with the premise that
artists have hitherto made our city home when
all other places failed may be accounted the fact
that the recent discovery Of q rare work OF art
was here made. Some twelve years or more ago
that we'll known and thorough artistic genius,
Olsgue, in his wanderings, discovered in cabaret
down in the Third District, by accident, picture
which, from the slight view he had Of 1t, he pro-
nounced at once to be the handiwork Of some
master.
Happening to drop in the small room in the
rear Of the sailors bar-room and noticing in an
old frame an oil painting. he with his thumb
wiped off at dash small portion of the picture,
revealing exquisitey wrought cherub head,
which gave evidence Of the wonderful skill OF the
/ maestro, whoever he was, who had composed
Whatever was behind the covering Of blue paint
so carefully and evidently with view at hiding
the value OF the beauties beneath laid upon al
most the whole surface Of the picture. Much has
already been written and said about the beauties
Of the
EXQUISITE DELINEATIoN
of the highest type OF beauty 80 delicately
| wrought by the unknown artist, but like the
crayon in the hands OF the puerile artist,
words failed to catch the full, truthful grace and
expression so richly portrayed on the canvas.
A DEMOCRAT reporter visited not only the pic
| ture, but q number Of connoisseurs who had al
| ready examined it, and the result only confirmed
| his first views.
The first gentleman waited upon Was Mr.. Eug.
| Chassagnsc, the fortunate possessor of the
painting.
Reporter - Mr.. Chassagnac, as undoubtedy
| this painting will become daily more and more a
subject Of interest called to learn if yen would
| be good enough to give to me it's history?
Mr.. c. with considerable show of feelling}
All my dear sir, it has
VERY CURIOUS HISTORY.
You remember Clague. That grand fellow who
| knew Louisiana scenery as well as anybody. He
| was the one who first called my attention to the
| pic ure You know how he was, stroling about
everywhere, and one day he came to me excited.
| ~ and said: "Chassagnac, I've found something
that's worth ali you've got: There's a
| painting down town; I'll show you the
| place, that you must buy. II you have to sell
your piano, your furniture, your bed, everything;
| sell it, for you must not lose this chance
Clague wss filed with fervor about the picture,
| and Tged me again and again to make every
| sacrifice in order to secure the painting. told
Csgue that if this picture was for sale, and was
SO valuable, somebody else would surely Fl ad it
out. Olagues response was, cit is where no one
will ever discover it; know that" He then went
on to say that he had discovered down town in
AN oUT-oF-THE-wAY PLACE
picture, OF which he had only seen q small
patch, but which was evidentlyEfrom 3 msster's
hand. Some weeks elapsed before took Clague's
that lime was abscured with coat of blue paint,
HAich hid the bsau.ies' that we're bsneath,