Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-07-07
a PAINTER'S VENGEANCE


gsnt productions which are now exhibited
az Brussels IN the museum which bears his
aame.
Though his brush was generally occupied
with classical subjects OF weird allegorical
design, such as the Contest Between
Good and Evil, he occasionally consented
to paint portraits. This was 3 favor, how
ever, which he only accorded to those
whose physiognomy happened to interest
hin. Il may be added that his taste in.
chned rather to the grotesque and eccentric
than the beautiful
One day he received visit from : GER
tain NJ. van Spach, notary, who had been
seized with the desire to have his features
perpetuated by thecelebrated artist Maitre
van Spach-a dry, wrinkled, keen. eyed old
gentleman, with an expression of mingled
shrewdness and elf-importance-was one
Of the weslthiest men in Brussels, and as
avaricious as he was rich characteristic
which had procured him the nickname Of
Maitre Harpagon."
Wiertz was aware of his visitors falling /;
nevertheless ne scceded to his request with
out demur. The fact was, he had been
conquered at first sight by the old scriven-
ers picturesque head. That head was a
Uranium, wrinkled forehead, shaggy brows
overhanging the small, piercing eyes,
hooked nose, and thin-lpped mouth, which
shut like trap. Wiertz was fascinated, and.
while his visitor was pompously explaining
his wishes the artist was taking mental
note of every line and feature.
How much viii the portrait cost 2"
was the nOtarys cautious inquiry.
90 Nv tnvrou arsa 10 nm f-ouou vv,or,c-a47- .
was the reply.
The lawyer started, stared increduOualy,
shrugged his shoulders and took up his hat.
In that case, he answered dryly, -
have only TO wish you good morning.
Alarmed at the prospect of losing this
promising " subject, whom he had already
n Imagination transferred to canvas, WiertE
hastened to add Those are my usual
terms bnt, as your face interests me, I
am willing 20 make a reduction IN your
favor. Suppose we say 5000
But NJ. van Spach still objected, urging
that such sum was exorbitant for e" 8
strip Of painted canvas"
At length, after much bargaining and
hesitGtiOH, he agreed to pay 5000 francs
for the portrait, frame included :" and,
this being settled, rose to take leave.
When am [ 30 give you the hrst sit
singz' he inquired.
" There IL no hurry, replied the artist,
who had his own intentions regarding this
portrait. " / am somewhat occupied Just
now, but viii let you know when I have q
morning at liberty. AG reyOir.
The moment his visitor had left the
studio Wiertz seized palette and brushes,
placed & fresh canvas on his easel, and
dashed IN the outlines OF the portrait from
memory. lie painted as if for wager,
while the summer daylight lasted and,
thanks to his marvellous rapidity of execu-
ton, when evening came the picture Was
al but finished.
he had represented the old notary seated
at table strewn with papers and psreh-
menta his full face turned toward the
spectator. The head was brought out in
mastery relief against a Swallowed back
ground, aud 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 char
acter and expression of the original, so
That the canvas seemed instinct with life.
The following morning WieItz gave the
finishing touches to his work, put it IN q
frame and dispatched it to Van Spach, IL.
str7cting the messenger to wait for an an
swer.
He rubbed his hands with pleasure ss he
pictured the old gentleman's delight and
astonisbment, and anticipated the sensa.
ton which this tour de force would create
II artistic circles.
To due time the messenger returned,
with the picture in one hand and note II
the other. Wiertz hastily dismissed him,
opened the letter and read as follows:
Sir. beg to return your extraordinary produc
,l1n which can not suppose is intended for m,
portrait, as It bears no sort of resemblance 70 me
sys worth for my money, and do not choose g pay
sou the sum Of 5000 francs for one atternoont
york As You do net consider worth the troub,
1f painting seriously, must decline any furtae
transactions with you, ana remain, sir, yours 0Deds
emily, PETER VAN SPACE
When the artist recovered from his as
Constituent ar this remarkable epistle, ht
burst into q 1t Of laughter which made the
studio ring,
" His moneys worth-ha, hs Maitre
Harpsgon has overreached himself for once
Ee could have sold it for I'VE times What
it cost him-the benighted old Philistine
he placed the re jected picture once more
upon the easel, and regarded It long and
critically, only to become more convinced
3i its merit. He knew that art judges
would pronounce it s chef d0uvre. Hin
amusement began TO give place TO irritation
81 the indignity TO which his work had
been subjected snd vague projects OF
vengeance rose before him IS ne paced the
Goor, with bent head and knitted brows.
Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes
sparkling with mischievous satisfaction al
AZ idea which had suddenly occurred tt
him. lie took up his palette, and set tC
work upon the picture again, sdroitlY alter
ing and TetouchlRg.
In az incredibly short space OF time il
underwent a startling metamorphosis,
While carefully preserving the likeness, be
had altered the face by exsggerating iti
characteristics giving a cunning lesr &c
she deeply-set eyes, a grImmer curve to the
thin lips, a scowl 20 the heavy brows a
stubby beard appeared on the chin, and
the attitude became dropping and decrepit
Then the Rotary's accessories vanished
She background becoming the wall Of !
cell with barred window while the "a
Die, with its litter Of papers and paroh
meuts, was transformed into a rough bench
bansath which might be disoerned 3 pitcher
and Loaf.
When this was achieved 70 his sstisfsc
tion the artist signed MS work, anC
gummed on the frame conspicuous label
with the inscription, " Imprisoned 10
Debt"
Then be sent for facre, and drove tt
Melohior's, the well.known picture dealer
n the Rus de Ia Madeleine, whose window
offers such constant attraction 10 lovers O
art.
i have something to show you, began
Wiertz. u have lust finished this study
which I think is fairly successful Cal
You md room for it IN your Windows"
Find room Tor it I should think 50,
exclaimed the dealer enthusiastically
Ny dear fellow, it is irst.rste. have
seen nothing Of yours more striking an'
forieinaI-and that IS saying much. 9hs
price dc you put upon 1t 2"