The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-29
. Dians'. Hunting Party"
HANS MAKART's PAINTING IN THE CITY DE
scRlPTIoS OF THE cANvAs-To DE EXHIBIT
ED BY Mr.. BANKER.

HANS MAKART'S PAINTING IN THE CITY DE-
scRIpTIoN or THE CANvAs--TO DE EXHIBIT
ED BY MR.. BANKER.
New York Tribunc.I
James II. Banker, OF Irvlngton, while In
Vienna In 1880 bought Hans Makart's
large painting, "Diana's Hunting Party"
When Mr.. Banker became the owner OF the
picture II was still on the artists easel
On June 26th OF this year IL arrived in this
city on the steamship Donau, OF the North
German Lloyd's Line. Mr.. Banker re-
ceived II on july LIST, but, owing TO the
tardiness OF the custom-house officials, who
have not appraised the picture, it yet re-
mains in the iron-bound packing-box In
which IL was sent 10 this country. "A
second case contains the frame which was
an ound the canvas when 1t was exhibited
10y the artist in London, Vienna, and Ber-
lin.
The picture measures 80 feet inches in
length by 10 feet ] inch IN height. The
frame is 81 feet by Is feet. II is one OF the
largest works OF Hans Makart, and Mr..
Banker considers it the artists MASTER
piece. The fourteen figures in the picture
are larger than life-size. Through dark
BACKGROUND OF trees and tangled under
brush the blue sky is visible, without n
cloud to dim the sunlight which falls upon
the water of lake IN the foreground.
| With head thrown back and antlers all but
striking his shoulders, stands stag in the
midst OF the lake. with the water ripping
about him. He is fleeing for his life, for
Diana and her huntresses have followed
the hounds that have brought the
stag TO water. On the summit OF pre-
ciptous bank stands the Goddess,
glowing with the excitement OF the
chase and drawing her purple robe about
her limbs. In her hand is Il hunting-spear
already poised. but she motions her maid
ems to stay their hands. A nymph in blue
stands at her left, eager to send an arrow
at the fleeing stag, and on her right are
grouped five other huntresses. On the
borders of the lake stands seventh figure,
holding two straining hounds i'm the lesh.
Seven water-nymphs, with the water OF
the lake glistening in their halr, have
gathered about the stag, and are protecting
him from the Goddess. One nymph parts
the waters i'm front OF the animal to aid his
escape, while another has interposed her
body to receive the threatening spear.
The queen of the water-nymphs implores
the relenting Diana for mercy. Near the
ubttiius u swan II btdtiii- itS NibSH' "hN
bends its long neck toward them, while
falcon, perching above on the moss-covered
rocks, looks down on the scene below.
Each one OF the nymphs is IL portrait OF
beautiful Viennese. The huntresses are
clothed i'm TUNES; the nymphs are nude.
One Of the nymphs has the features OF the
wife Of the English Ambassador in Vienna,
and another those OF an actress in one OF
the Austrian theatres. The wife OF Rus
sian nobleman is the original Of third.
The queen OF the water nymphs is the
Swedish wife OF a rich Hebrew banker OF
Vienna.
One OF the agreements made by the artist
when he sold the painting was that IT should
be exhibited i'm the largest cities OF Europe
and America. Mr.. Banker intends to place
it on exhibition next autumn. Rumor has
said that the price paid for the picture was
S35 900. Mr.. Banker told Il Tribune re-
porter yesterday that the amount for which
il was purchased was much less. but de-
clned TO say what it was. While he was
i'm Vienna Mr.. Banker became personally
acquainted with Makart, and. as the artist
was in need Of money to satisfy one OF his
many eXtravagant fancies, Mr.. Banker OBJ
tanned the painting for much less than he
otherwise would have done. At present
there are only two other pictures by Makart
i'm the country; one Is owned by Judge
Hilton, the other by Miss Catherine Wolfe.