Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1878-01-16
A Los Angeles Artist Abroad.

We find the following compli.
mentary notice of our some time
fellow citizen, Paul Petrovits, in
the Virginia City Territorial En-.
ter21rise:
In the studio of Paul Petrovits,
at the Arlington House, North b
street, are at present to be seen
some very beautiful oil paintings.
Mr.. Petrovits loves his art, and is
SO constantly at his easel that did
he not occasionally place some
little gem on exhibition in the
window of one of our book stores,
few would know of his presence in
the city. 80 homs-staying, studious
and industrious is he. In tie
manner indicated the public occa-
siorally get glimpse of one of his
pictures, but to see what he is do
ing, and what he is capable of per.
forming, u visit to his studio is
necessary. There are to be seen
many beautiful pictures.
"The Siesta," q fancy picture,
will be among the first to attract
the attention of the visitor. 1t oc-
cupies large canvas aud repre-
SCENTS q large, shaggy dog, tired cut
and lying asleep gu the floor, while
pillowing his head upon the sleep
ing animal is beautiful boy, five
or six years Of age. The boy has
drowsy loek--seems half sleeping
and half waking. The figures are
of almost life size, and are most
minutely and smoothly finished.
All in the picture is the most per-
feet harmony, result very diff
cult to attain in so large picture.
In this painting this very desira.
Bile point Is achieved through two
exPsdients; one Of these is u cool,
gray background and the other the
letting fall Of u rich crimson cur
tain just at the feet of the reclin-
ing boy. BY these expedients the
rich flesh tints of the child's face
and the bright lights in his
dress are brought into
subsection. In this pic
ture a very difficult thing
has been SUCCESSFULLY achieved,
which Is the representation of the
natural way in which the boys
cheek is pressed out by his head
resting on the body of the dog. 1t
was q nice point to do this and not
produce the slightest approach to
an appearance Of distortion in the
lower part of the cheek and neck.
In this part of the face some very
delicate shading was necessary, de-
manding a most intricate knowl-
edge of oolors and fine eye for the
slightest variation of shade, as here
in places are used what might be
called the millionth part Of tint.
The foreshortening of the nose and
paws of the dog is very tine-in-
deed 1t is quite as perfect as would
DO seen in photograph. We lack
space to more than glance at the
prominent and striking features of
the picture. 1t will bear the clos.
est scrutiny, measurement and
study.
There are In the studio many
very fine and highly finished por-
traits. To speak particularly of
half of these would require much
space. Among them, and almost
completed,is the portrait Of q child,
the daughter of one of our leading
citizens, that is perfect gem. 1t
is a bust, and IL SO handled that the
face and shoulders seem just rising
through a mist or cloud. The
cloud and drapery-what little is
to be seen-so mingle that it il
impossible to point to any dividing
line between the two, either in
tint or drawing. The flesh tints
are as soft and clear as
the color in sea shell, and
the handling is SO smooth that the
picture seems to have been done in
enamel. The hair, IL mass of clus.
tering curls, 10 most artistically
colorsd and shaded, and appears as
though it might be stirred by every
breeze, so free and floating is it
shown. The eyes and all the
features are beautifully painted,
and so smoothly and infinitely as
to bear the closest inspection. All
of Mr.. Pstrovits' pictures are
painted to last and improve with
age, coating after coating laid on
until a perfect enamel is formed.
The one of which we are now
speaking will be placed on exhib-
ition in the window of Boegle's
book store some time next week.
Mr.. Petrovits IL engaged upon
picture of his wife which will be q
work OF art when completed. So
solid will be the work from the
frequent coatings, tints upon tints,
it has received that it Will last for
ages and will ripen and grow richer
with age. All his work is done in
this way. He lays a foundation in
the proper color and upon this
builds tint after tint, gradually ap-
preaching that which is desired
and which is to be the last. He
might produce good and striking
likeness by throwing on at once
the tints required TO represent the
face and features of the sitter, but
he works on a more conscientious
plan.