Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-07-26


Nearly 300 years ago, in the city OF
Seville, lived one Of the greatest OF
Spanish painters - Bartoleme Esteban
Murillo.
Many beautiful pictures painted by
this master adorn the palaces of the
Old World, while a few may be found
in the possession of wealthy art lovers
upon this side Of the water.
In the church of Seville one may see
four beautiful paintings-one picture
of Christ bound to column, st. Peter
in kneeling posture at his feet, RS il
imploring pardon another, a superb
painting of st. Joseph, Que Of st. Aun
and fourth, an exquisite picture Of the
Virgin mother holding the infant Jesus
In her arms. These paintings are largely
sought for and long gazed upon by all art
lovers who visit Spain, and are particu-
larly admired by artists for their truth
full beauty, delicate tints and natural
coloring.
But they are not Murillo's.
These noble paintings, the pride aud
glory OF Seville today. We're conce ve,'
and executed by n nuIatto, Sebastian
Gomez, who was once the slave, theu tue
pupil, and in time the peer of his i.us-
trious and bigh-minded master.
The childhood of Sebastian Gomez was
one of servitude. His duties were many
and constant. He was required to grind
and mix the colors used by the young
senors, who came at the cas,y hour of 6
In the morning to take their LESSONS in
drawing and painting in the studio of
the great Murillos to prepare ard
stretch canvas, run errands, n&d be
ready at all times to answer the capri
cious demands of these Ligh-born and
imperious youths.
The poor mulatto boy had, however.
in addition to generous heart and anna.
BILE temper, q quick wit, bright intellect
and willing hands. His memory also
was excellent; he was not without iudg-
ment, and, what was better than all, he
was gifted with the power OF appli.
cation.
Intellect, wit, memory, judgment are
all good endowments, but none Of these
will lead to excellence if one has not 9
habit Of industry and steady applica-
ton.
Sebastian Gomez, at the age OF Is,
found himself capable, not only Of ad.
miring, but also OF appreciating, the
work Of the pupils who wrought in his
masters studio.
At times he even fancied that he could
detect errors and blemishes which they
failed to note in their studies
1t Glanced, sometimes, that he would
drop hint Of his thoughts, when hand.
ing maul-stick, or moving an easel foz
some artist student.
"How droll it is that the sly young
rogue should be so nearly correct in his
criticisms I" one Of the pupils would
perhaps remark, after overhearing some
quiet suggestion Of the mulatto lad.
"Aye. One might think the slave :
connoisseur," would laugh another.
Truly, it was owing to cunning
hint Of his that my st. Andrews arm
was improved in the foreshortening."
1t was Gomez who detected FIRST the
harshness in my colorin0 Of this st.
Catharine's hands, and noticed the false
curve Of the lower lip. The mulatto
has the true eye for color, and in truth
he seems 10 guess al form as readily y
some Of his betters."
Such were the remarks that often fol.
lowed the lads exit, as the young ssnorl
lightly commented upon his criticisms.
There came q time. however. when tue
poor mulatto received from their lortlly
Inns far other than light comment