Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-06-28
A PAINTERS VENGEANCE.

tistic world by the powerful but extrava-
giant productions which are now exhib-
tied at Brussels in the museum which
bears his name.
Though his brush was generally oc-
cupied with classical subjects or weird
allegorical designs, such as the "Con.
test Between Good and Evil he oc
casionally consented to paint portraits
This was o favor, however, which hs
only accorded to those whose physiog.
nomy happened TO interest him. Il
may be added that his taste inclined
rather to the grotesque and eccentric
than the beautiful.
One day he received visit from a
certain M. Van Spach, n notary, who
had been seized with the desire to have
his features perpetuated by the cele-
brated artist. Maitre Van Spach-a
dry, wrinkled, keen-eyed old gentle.
man, with an expression of mingled
shrewdness and self-importance-
one of the wealthiest men in Brussels
and as avaricious as he was rich; q
characteristic which had procured him
the nickname of ''Maitre Harpagon. =
Wiertz was aware of his visitors fall
ing; nevertheless he acceded to his re-
had been conquered at first sight by
the old scrivener's picturesque head.
That head was a perfect treasure to an
artist, with its bald Uranium, wrinkled
forehead, shaggy brows overhanging
the small, piercing eyes, hooked nose,
and thin-lipped mouth, which shut like
a trap. Wiertz was fascinated, and,
while his visitor was pompously ex-
10; .
ing mental note Of every line and fea-
ture.
Chow much will the portrait costp'
was the notary's cautious inquiry.
"My terms are 10000 francs, mon
sieur, f" was the reply.
The lawyer started, stared incredul-
ously, shrugged his shoulders, and took
up his hat. ''In that case," he answer
ed dryly, 81 have only TO wish you good
morning"
Alarmed at the prospect of losing
this promising subject" whom he
had already in Imagination transferred
to canvas Wiertz fastened to add:
''Those are my usual terms; but, as
your face interests me, am willing to
make a reduction in your favor. Sup
pose we say SCOOP
But M. 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 5000 francs
for the portrait, frame included;' and
this being. settled. rose to take leave.
when am | TO give you the first
sttingP' he inquired.
There is no hurry" replied the
artist, who had his own intentions re-
garding this portrait. II am some
what occupied just now, but will let
you know when | have q morning at
liberty. Au revoirr'
The moment his visitor had left the
studio Wiertz seized palette and
brushes, placed.a fresh canvas on his
easel, and dashed in the outlines
of the portrait from memory.
He painted as if for wager, while the
summer daylight lasted. and, thanks to
his marvellous rapidity of execution,
when evening came the picture was all
but finished.
He had represented the old notary
seated at table strewn with paper
and parchments, his full face turned
toward the spectator. The head was
brought out in mastery relief against
Swallowed background, and painted in
the artists best style; bold. free, and
unconventional, showed no signs of its
hurried execution. The likeness was
striking in its fidelity, giving not only
the features, but the character and eX-
preston of the original. so that the can
vas seemed instinct with life
The following morning Wiertz gave
the finishing touches to his work, put it
in n frame, and dispatched it to Van
Spach, instructing the messenger to
wait for an answer
He rubbed his hands with pleasure
rs he pictured the old gentleman's de-
light and astonishment, and anticipat-
ed the sensation which this tour dc
force would Great 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
follows:
"SIR: beg toreturn your extraordn-
airy production, which ] can not sup
pose is intended for my portrait, as it
bears no resemblance to me.
''In art, rs in everything else. | like
to have my moneys worth for my
money, and do not choose to pay you
the sum of 5000 francs for one after
moons work. As you do not consider
me worth the trouble of painting SER
iously, | must decline any further trans
actions with you, and remain, sir, yours
obediently, PETER VAN SPACH."
When the artist recovered from his
astonlshment at this remarkable epistle,
he burst into fit of laughter which
made the studio ring.
''His moneys 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,n
He placed the rejected picture once
more upon the easel and regarded it
long and critically, only to become
more convinced of its merit. He knew
that art Judges would pronounce it a
chef d'Guvre. His amusement began
to give place TO irritation at the indig-
nifty to which his work had been sub
jected, and vague projects of Vengeance
rose up before him as he paced the floor,
with bent head and knitted brows.
Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes
sparkling with mischievous satisfaction
at an idea which had suddenly occurred
to him. He took up his palette, and
set to work upon the picture again,
adroitly altering and retouching.
In an incredibly short space of time
it underwent startling metamorphosis
While carefully preserving the likeness
he had altered the face by exaggerat-
ing its characteristics; giving a cunning
leer to the deeply-set eyes, a grimmeI
curve to the thin lips. n scowl to the
heavy brows. A stubby beard appeared
on the chin. and the attitude becam,
dropping and decrepit
Then the notary's accessories van
ished. the background becoming tn,
wall of n cell. with barred window
while the table, with its litter of paper
and parchments, was transferred intC
rough bench, beneath which Nigh
be discerned pitcher and loaf.
When this was achieved to his salts
faction the artist signed his work anC
gummed on the frame conspiciou
label, with the inscription: ''lmpris
oned for Debt
Then he sent for a fiaere, and drov
to Mechior's, the well-known picture
dealer in the Rue de la Madeleine
whose window offers such constant a.
traction to lovers of art.
Il have something to show you,