Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-12-10
NEW PORTRAITS.
PORTRAITS OF GOVERNOR STANFORD,
WIFE AND soy,
Painted by Meissonier, Eonnat and carolus
Duran-Description of the
New Works.

PARIS, November IA, 1881.
California will soon be the possesaor O.
three Of the most marvellous portrait.
which the combined talent of the greatest
living artists OF France can produce Gov
ernor Stanford carries home with por
trait OF himself by Meissonier, one of Mrs
Stanford by Bonnat, and the portrait Of
their son by Carolus Duran. The names OF
these three artists are of worldwide fame,
and the pen of the chronicier can add nc
new leaf to the crown of laurels which each
has long since wen.
Meissonier, the Oldest in years, is the
Oldest in reputation, and although other
schools have sprung up around his feet,
still active and young, he will forever re-
main the great master who has out.dis-
tanced the renowned Holland painters on
the road towards all that is delicate and
fine in art. His extended and established
reputation, and the immense prices paid for
every strip of canvas or paper touched by
his brush, have rendered him
INDIFFERENT TO ADULATIoN OR WEALTH,
And in order to attract his attention one
must possess other than ordinary quail.
ties. MISSIONER is in no way identified
with portrait painters, for it is an art left
generally to those devoid of imagination or
the higher power of conception, yet all
great artists, on some special occasions,
consider it their prerogative to transfer to
canvas the lineaments of friend for the
striking features of one whom they may adj
mire. Mr.. Meissonier proposed to paint
Governor Stanford's portrait for these two
reasons: First, that there has sprung ny
between them friendship born of sympa-
thy for that noble animal the horse, and
Meissonier is the greatest horse painter in
the world secondly that he has perceived
in Governor Stanford's face the expression
of strong character and certain marked
features which are delight to the trained
artistic eye. The model is posed with legs
crossed in an armchair, and the massive
feet of the chair are interlaced as are those
in old style furniture. The right hand Of
the Governor unconsciously rests upon an
arm of the chair, while the other, reclin-
ing on the opposite arm, holds book in
the manner of one who half closes it to
more deeply reflect on its contents. The
chair almost leans against table but par
TALLY visible, covered with green velvet
cloth, on which may be seen the open leaves
of the famous book containing the photo.
graphs of horses, to which Governor Stan
ford has devoted his superior intelligence
and portion of his precious time. This
book is so
EXCLUSIVELY PAINTED
That the photographs, although exceed
ingly small, can be perfectly distinguished
and recognized. Leaning against the table
is the familiar cane, the gift of friend in
those memorable days when its owner was
Governor of our own State, and which cane
has formed a part of himself these many
years since. The head of the model is
thrown to one side in that pose familiar TO
all who have remarked Governor Stanford
during moments of earnest conversation.
In fact nearly all attention is absorbed
by the head, for underneath the massive
brow are pair of eyes whose inten-
sity fixes the beholder. The hands
have character of their own, and
every part of the entire form is SO express
i've that were each taken separately there
would be much food for artistic study
which would interest as do the broken
ruins of the old Greek statues This por-
trait is one of the largest canyases the
great artist has ever adorned with his
magic brush, and throughout may be seen
the effect of his best inspirations.
When turning to
BoNNAT,
We turn to the more modern school or art,
the bold style and firm touch of which
have been the medium of expression for
some of the finest artistic minds of the age,
In this school Bonnat may be said to stand
at the head, for no one has carried it to as
high state Of perfection as he. When his
brush comes in contact with the canvas,
it is not for the purpose of cropping its way
into an expression of the artists Uniformed
intention, but with decided stroke ex-
posing the matured idea, the visible form
conceived and finished in the ARTISTS brain.
Mr.. Bonnat is known as probably the great
est portrait painter living, but he has
given proof through other works of his
superiority in composition and artistic con-
ception, and if he rarely delights the world
at present with these creations, it is be-
cause he is permitted little time to devote
to them, for since his famous portraits of
Victor Hugo, Theirs and other celebrities,
distinguished persons from all parts of the
world flock to him to be rendered immortal
through his inspired brush. Mr.. Bonnat
has painted Mrs. Stanford's portrait in a
manner exceeding the superior execution
of any preceding work, and he has in
dulged in variety of accessories, in a
multitude of details unseen in any other
portrait he has painted up to the present
day.
THE FIGURE
Is life size, with one arm hanging grace
fully at the eide, while the other rests upon
the back of chair, where may be seen a
handsome opera cloak of wine-colored vel
vet, lined with silk Of more tender hue,
and trimmed with white llama wool,
thrown negIigently aside, as though to per-
NIT its owner to appear in all the richness
of her attire. The dress is of white satin,
| brocaded with silver, and trimmed with
fouuces of elegant lace, the same which
Brussels sent to the Universal Exposition
/ of 1878, as sample of their best and finest
work. Above the hounces is a unique
which commences at the waist in front, and
after falling in graceful folds over the hips,
| it finishes in puffs at the back, the whole
trimmed with the same wide lace. whose
creamy appearance produces pleasing
harmony with the lighter shade of the satin
and the cold tones Of the silver. The waist
is of solid lace, pointed in front and the
back, and Joined on each shoulder by a
large sapphire surrounded by diamonds,
thus leaving exposed in full the neck and
arms. The hair, which is becomingly ar
ranged, is surmounted by coronet of
large yellow diamonds and different colored
precious stones. while encircling the throat
is necklace of large white diamonds, hav.
ing for pendant an immense sapphire and
diamonds to match those on the shoulders,
except that they are larger in size. On the
arms are bracelets of the same jewels, and
conspicuous on the little finger is large
smoke diamond. One white slippered foot
| ia seen frorn beneath the satin puffino of