Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-07-19
A PAINTERS VENGEANCE.


bears his name.
Though his brush was generally oc-
cupied with classical subjects or weird
categorical designs, such as the Con
test Between Good and Evil" he occa-
sionally consented to paint portraits.
This was favor, however, which he on
" accorded to those whose physiognO-
my happened to interest him. 1t may
be added that his taste inclined rather
to the grotesque and eccentric than the
beautiful.
One day he received visit from a
certain NJ. van Spach, notary, who
had been seized with the desire to have his
features perpetuated by the celebrated
artist. Maitre van Spach-a dry, wrin-
kled, keen-eyed old gentleman, with an
expression of mingled shrewdness and
self-impOrtancc-wa one of the wealth.
lest men in Brussels, and as avaricious
as he was rich; n characteristic which
procured him the nickname of ''Maitre
Harpagon.
Wiertz was aware of his visitor fail
ing; nevertheless he acceded to his re-
quest without murmur. The fact was
he had been conquered at first sight by
the scriVener's picturesque head. The
head was perfect treasure to an artist,
with its bald Uranium, wrinkled fore
head, shaggy brows oyerhanging the
small, piercing eyes, hooked nose and
thin-lipped mouth, which shut like a
trap. Wiertz was fascinated, and,
while his visitor was pompously explain
ing his wishes, the artist had taken men
tai notes Of every line and feature.
Chow much will the portrait cost?"
was the notary's cautious inquiry.
''My terms are 10000 francs, mon
sieur, :" was the reply.
The lawyer started, stared incredu-
Gously, shrugged his shoulders and took
up his hat ''In that case" he answer
ed. dryly, Il have only to wish YOU
good morning"
Alarmed ut the prospect of losing his
promising subject, y whom he had al
ready in Imagination transferred to the
canvas, WiertZ fastened to add: "Those
are my usual terms, but as your face in
terests me | am willing to make reduc-
tion in your favor. Suppose we say
SCOOP
But NJ. van Spach still objected, urg-
ING that such sum was exorbitant for
a strip of painted canvas
At length, after much bargaining and
hesitation, he agreed to- pay 3, 900 francs
for the portrait, frame included, and,
this being settled, he rose to take his
leave.
''When am to give YOU the first sit
5ing?" he inquired.
There is no hurry replied the art
Gst, who had his own intentions regard
mo this portrait. Il am somewhat oc-
cupied at present, but will let YOU know
when | have morning at liberty. Au
revOir
The moment his visitor had left the
tudiO Wicrtz seized palette and brush.
IS, and placed a fresh canvas on the
easel, and dashed in the outlines of the
portrait from memory. He painted as
# for 4 wager while the summer dal
Fight lasted; and, thanks to his marvel
Gus rapidity of execution, when evening
came the picture was all but finished.
He had represented the old notary
seated at table strewn with papers
and parchments, his full face turned
toward the spectator. The head was
brought out in mastery relief against
shadowed background, and painted in
the artists best STYLE; bold, free and I'M
conventional, showing no signs of its
hurried execution. The likeness was
striking in its fidelity and expression of
instinct with life.
The following morning Wiertz gave
the finishing touches to his work, put it
in frame and dispatched it to Van
Spach, instructing the messenger to
wait for an answer.
He rubbed his hands with pleasure rs
ne pictured the old gentleman's delight
and establishment, and anticipated the
sensation which this tour de force would
create in artistic circles.
In due time the messenger returned
with the picture in one hand and note
in the other. Wiertz hastily dismissed
him, opened the letter and read as fol-
lows:
Sir: / beg leave to return your extraordin-
airy production, which l cannot suppose is in
tended for my portrait, as it bears no sort of
resemblance to me.
In art, as in everything else. like to have my
moneys worth for my money and | do not
choose TO pay you the sum of 5000 francs fo1
one afternoons work. As you do not consider
p,e worth the trouble of painting serious,g' I
must decline any further transactions with you
and remain, sir, yours obedientIy,
Peter Van spsch.
When the artist recovered from his
astonishm9nt at this remarkable epistle,
he burst into fit of laughter which
made the studio ring.
His money worth-ha, ha. Maitre
Harpagon has Overreached himself for
once. He could have sold it for five
times what it cost him, the benighted
old Philistine.
He placed the rejected picture once
more on the easel and regarded it long
and critically. He knew that art iudg-
es would pronounce it chef d euvre.
His amusement began to give place to
irritation at the indignity to which his
work had been subjected, and vague
projects of vengeance rose before him
as he paced the floor with bent head
and knitted brow.
Suddenly he stopped short, his
eyes sparkling with mischieYous sat
isfactiOn at an idea which had suddenly
occurred to him. He took up his palette
and set to work upon the picture AGAIN.