Morris tribune., 1882-05-04
AN ARTISTS REVENGE.

Denver Tribune.
AN ARTISTS REVENGE.
The Price Which q Belgian Miser Paid tor
His Picture.
Wiartz, the famous and eccentric Belgian
artist, (says the New York World), who
avenged himself when the Parisians reject
ed one of his pictures by writing his name
on genuine Rubens and sending it In to
be rejected also. should not be omitted from
the list Of painters who have brought re-
tractory customers to terms. The object Of
the his vengeance was Brussels no.
tary. The artist rarely made the conoes-
sion to paint sitter, but he fell in love
with the visitors face on first sight. Tho
notary was bald, his forehead heavily wrin.
kied; two piercing eyes looked out from
under bushy eyebrows; the nose had cim-
eter's curve, and the mouth was like the
edge of a sabre; tie cheeks were fat and
colorless and the chin was pointed; all the
face was cleanly shayen, angular. keen, and
the professional white cravat gave it touch
impossible to describe but easy to imagine.
While hsnotary was explaining his desire
to patronize art by ordering his portrait,
Wiertz was coming his visitors features
and getting his striking face by heart.
When, however. Van Speck, N. P, learned
that the price would be ten thousand francs,
he rose brusquely, and took his hat.
Pray sit down, said the artist, soothing
ly. That is my usual price, but as I am
interested In your face, and have an ardent
desire to paint it, shall be willing to make
more favorable terms. What will you giYe2"
The notary named ridiculously mad
equate sum. The artist rejected the offer
~arily, and a long bargaining ensued. during
which Wiertz obtained the study he had
coveted of the face, with its every linea-
ment bearing the imprint of the notarys
ruling passion of gain.
At last bargain was closed for three
thousand francs, and Wiertz bade his patron
adieu, announcing that he would shortly
make an appointment for a setting.
So soon as the man Of parehments had
! departed Wiartz leaped to his easel, and
| feve,is bly, set to work on the portrait which
ne had in his mind. Rapidly and surely
| the picture came out upon the canvas till,
shen night fell. from the dark back ground
| Van Speck, N. P, looked out at the spec
| tator, caug ht to the life, lsaning his candav
| erous face on one lorg, lank hand. while
| on the table before him were books, parch-
notary's study. Next morning he gave the
| finishing touches to the picture. put it in
case, and calling the porter, bads him take
it to he notary's house aud await an answer.
| In about an hour the Porter returned.
"The gentleman" he reported, had the
case opened ia the hall and looked
at the picture. He said nothing.
Ia. he made a face and shook his
| fist. Then he went up stairs and present
Iy be sent down this note. and said was
to take the picture back. You owe me four
| francs"
| Wier,Z took the note, which read as fol-
| lows: Sir: I desire portrait, and you
have sent me thing which bears no re-
semblance whatever to my fbce. return
it, and beg that all communication between
US may cease"
Wietz replaced the picture on his easel,
and in few hours had completely changed
It, especially as to the accessories. The
eyes now evaded the gaze, the lips were
more closely drawn, the hook in the nose
became mere pronounced, the chin
| more severe. The background became a
dungeon wall with grated window. and in
lieu Of a notarial properties" appeared a
heavy stool, Q Watering. mouldy crust
and bundle Of damp straw. This done,
the artist boldly signed his picture. placed
| in the frame q large icket-"In prison
for debt"--and put 1t in Dealers
window.
The next day, as friend Of the notary
vas passing the shop, he stopped for a
view of the picture. Great heavens!
Five minutes afterwards he was in the
nctary's ofics, four minutes later
the notary was before the dealers
window, and in three minutes more he
bounded in the artists studio.
"Sir.r-r!' Kissed the notary. There is
| on exhibition at this moment picture
which is making me the laughing stock of
all Brussels. You will have the picture
removed instantly-immediately do you
| unders Fand?"
Il do not There is picture of mine
on exhibition, but really can not see what
earthly concern of it is yeurs-"
"But, sir, it is my portrait.
You are in error, sir. agreed to paint
your portrait for three thousand francs, and
thinking to give you an agreeable surprise,
| painted it from memory. l thought the
picture rather a good cne, but you disa-
bused me of my Illusion, and indeed have
your written authority for declaring thai
there is not the slightest resemblance to
you. The picture was returned upon my
hands, and SO had no option but to en-
deavor to dispose of it. !"
| WELL" said the notary, after long
pause, rather than have any scandal about
it, will stand to my bargain and take your
/ picture. Here are the three thousand
francs"
"Pardon me, retorted the artist, Il could
not think of parting with it for less than
fifteen thousand francs"
Fifteen thousand devils! Good-morn.
ing, sirl"
But Van Speck, N. P, hadsrushed into
-. q - l..
dealers window in the distance grown large.
during his visit 10 the artist, he ref cted
and presently he returned to the studio.
81 have thought it over" he said, 'ant
have concluded to accept your Offer /
will take it at fifteen thLusand francs"
Pardon me" said the artist, abut have
been thinking i over. too, and
have an idea. The picture has made sen,
sation, and I think the more it is seen tn,
greater that sensation will become. Naw
how do you think It would take If were t
leave it on show for another iortnight an,
then send it round Brussels on porter's
back, and get up popular lottery for th,
picture at five francs q ticket? dom
think should have any difficult1 of iispos
ing OF six thousand tickets, which wouli
give me thirty thousand francs Thirt,
thousand frncs is the lowest price could
think OF accepting for my masterpiece, ant
the longer think over the lottery idea tn
more-"
With tears in his eyes the notary wrote
check for thirty thousand francs, twenty
seven thousand francs Of which the artis
next day turned over to the local charities
Then, having obtained the artists order, h
, rushed to the dealers, carried the pictur
home, and in frenzy Of fury, danced up
J on it, tore it with his teeth and nails into
handful Of painted shreds, and crammed
} into the CRATE.
Alderman O'Flannelmouth-- -"Be keerfu
Mrs. O'Toole, an ion't lit any won see me, "a
it's all the prominently eople what's getting sh
al at"
] The N,w York Prses believes that Ohaucs
r. Black will bs unanimously nominated Il