Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1883-06-29
A Painters Vengeance

Thirty years ago the Belgian paint con 9a
r Antoine Wiertz, was astohlS","s ,,a
be artistic world by the powerful Ou. u
xtrayagant productions which are D',,, INV 70
xhibited at Brussels in the Museum " ~
which bears his name. bo
Though his brush was gener"V ;rd ho
,upied with classical subjects OF 1 wo-.N
,lleporical designs such as the 'oom @ sn
test between Good and Evil ne o'a" ~ ~
consented to paint por'L"',Y, ro :, -
This was a favor, however, when n' W W
onlv accorded to those whose physiog y,
nomy happened to interest nm, ,na,i,ad ID :"
NAV be added that his taste ihoiinJ
rather to the grotesque and e''9''''
than the beautiful.
One day he received WISH ~. ..,o
certain NJ. van Spach, notary W. ~"
had been seized with desire to nave
his features perpetuated by the 1e'
hroted ,,,~ artist. Maitre van Spach "a
drv wrinkIed, keen-eyed old gentleman
with an expression of mingled Shre""
ness and self-importance was oi9 "
the wealthiest men in Brussels anu 90
avaricious as he was rich; char"oV'l
istic which had procured HIM the n'oA
name of ''Maitre Harpagon
Wiertz was aware of his VlSl'oi .
falling: nevertheless he acceded 70 ms
raouest without demur. The fact was
he had been conquered at first sishV y
the old scrivener's picturesque heao
That head was a perfect treasure 10 al
artist. with its bald Uranium. wrlnkle'
forehead, shaggy brows overhan9ln'
the small piercing eyes, hooked nose
and thin-lipped mouth, which shut lik
a trap. Weirtz was fascinated. an
while llia visitor was ponpously O.
lE ing mental note o. -
ure.
How much will the portrait cost .
was the notary's cautious inquiry.
MY terms are ten thousand france
monsieur" was the replv
The lawyer started, stared inorod,,
lously, shrugged his shoulders 49,,
took up his hat. 'N
"ln that case, he answered drvl, q,
have only to wish you good mornino ;,
Alarmed at the prospect of Iosino
thls 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 willinc to
make reduction in your favor. Sun
pose we say five thousandy"
But NJ. van Spach still objected, uro-
eng that such a sum was exorbitant for
"a strip of painted canvas"
AT length, after much bargaining
ana hesitation he agreed to pay three
thousand francs for the portrait
frame included" and this being set
e.
when am ! to give you the first sit. S
tlng?" he inquired. i
There is no hurry" replied the art t
'iSt' who had his own intentions re- a
garding this portrait. lam somewhat 81
occupied just now, but will let Won o.
know when have a morning AT Iiber. f;
ty. Au revoir!"
The moment his visitor had left tho q
studio Wiertz seized palette and sh
brushes, placed fresh canvas on his cl
easel and dashed in the outline of the in
portrait IRON memory. lie painted as va
If for wager. while the summer dav- in
hght lasted; and, thanks to his marvel the
Gus rapldity of execution, when eve bar
nlng came the picture was all but fin | s.
ished. A
de had represented the old notary mer
seated at table, strewn with papers 81
'nd parchments, his full face turned sleuI
oward the spectator. The head was ture
iought out In mastery relief against NOV
Swallowed background and PAINTED in TG
ne artists best style; bold. free and un- Spac
showing no signs of its dlgn'
ulried execution. The likeness was ioun'
triking in its fdelitu ..;,.aa ~ on,r chair
le features. but the character and ex. al
ression of the original. 50 that the bland
'nVas seemed instinct with life ercun
Inc following morning Weirtz gave slsi,.
in a frame and H. - "io "Vi"' W, ~ ~ excele
'aen; lnstructing the messenger to ~.
ait for an answer. cutting
he rubbed his hands with pleasure soan' :
ne pictured the old gentIemans de- ?, Poln,. i,
n. and astonishment, and antdpat- W. a.io"o' =.
tne sensation which this tour de 'uie-"
rec would create in artistic circles stock @ ., :,
IN IN due time the messenger returned os.ns ,ja IL
= IN = sne picture in one hand and 'or @yot ]
'e IN the other wiertz hastily dis --,,ssI ~, !
ssea nlm opened theletter, and read a+nrs pp, of
Sir hoo don't sec
y production ~ iesurn ,' Your eztraoIu- you d
e is intended for NV netnat eanS as As t my portra
rs no resemblance to me- po'"r IL art as his visitor
news wortS SrS else, like to have ny foot
choose iol my money. and dO eY0ur I