Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-06-29
4 PAINTERS VENGEANCE.

4 PAINTERS VENGEANCE.
Thirty years ago the Belgian painter, An
tome Wierlz, was astonishing the artistic
world 10y the powerful but exlravagant pro.
ductions which are now exhibited Mt Brussels
in the museum which bears his name
Though his brush was generally occupied
with classical subjects or weird allegorical de-
sgns, such as ''The Contest between Good
and Evil, ~ he occasionally consented to paint
portraits. This was n favor, however, which
be accorded only to those whose physognomy
happened to interest him and it may be add.
ed that his taste inclined rather to tho gro.
tesque and eccentric than the beautiful.
Oue day he received visit from "a certain
NJ. Won Spach. a notary, who had been seized
with desire to have his features perpetuated
by the celebrated artist. Maitro Won Spach-
a dry, wrinkled, keen eyed old gentleman,
with an expression of mingled shrewdness and
self-importance-w one of the wealthest
men in Brussels, and as ayaricious as he was
rich characteristic which had procured him
the nickname Of "Maitre Harpagon
Werlz was aware Of his visitors failing
he nevertheless acceded to his request with.
out demur The fact was, he had been con-
querod at first sight by the old scriveners
picturesque head. That head was a perfect
treasure to an artist, with its bald Uranium.
wrnkled forehead, shaggy eyebrows over
hanging his small, piercing eyes, hooked nose
and thin Tipped mouth, which shut like a
trap. Wiertz was fascinated, and while his
visitor was pompously explaining his wishes
the artist was taking mental note of every
line and feature.
"lIow much will the portrait cost :" was
the notarys cautious inquiry.
L. 20,
sieur, was the reply.
The lawyer started, stared ncredulously,
shrugged his shoulders, and took up his hat.
In that case" be remarked dryly, II have
only to wish you good.morning
Alarmed at the prospect of losing this prom
ising Subject" " whom he had already in i'm.
agination transferred to canvas Wiertz has
tened to add
Those are my usual TERMS but, as your
face interests me, l am willing to make a re-
duction in your favor Suppose we say five
thousand -
But NJ. Won Spach still objected urging
that such a sum was exorbtant for "a strip
of painted canvas
Finally, after considerable bargaining and
hesitation, he agreed to pay three thousand
francs for the portrait, "frame included :"
and this being settled, he arose to take leave.
when am to give you the first sitting ?"
he inquired.
There is no hurry, replied the artist, who
had his own intentions regarding this por
trait. Il am somewhat occupied Just now,
but will let you know when have a morning
at liberty. Au reyor."
The moment his visitor left the studio, the
artist seized palette and brushes, placed a
| fresh canvas on his easel, and dashed in the
outlines of the portrait from memory. He
painted as il for Il 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 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
| a shadowed background, and painted in the
artists best style-bold, free and unconven-
| tiOnal, showing no signs of its hurried execu-
tion. The likeness was striking in its fidelity
| giving not only the features but the charac.
ter and expression of the original, so that the
canvas seemed instinct with life.
The following morning Wiertz gave the in-
ishing touches to his work, put it in frame,
and dispatched it to Won Spaoh, instructing
the messenger to wait for an answer.
! He rubbed his hands with pleasure as he
! pictured the old gentemans delight and as
| tonlshment, and anticipated the sensation
which this tour de force would create in art.
| istic circles.
due time the messenger returned with
the picture in one hand and a note in the 9TH
er. Wiertz hastily dismissed him, opened
the note, and read as follows
| sir; beg to return your extraordinary produc-
ton which cannot suppose is intended for my por-
trait, as it bears no sort Of resemblance to In
art, in everything else, like to get my moneys
worth for my money and do not choose to pay you
the sum Of three thousand francs for afternoons
| A. NRW nRf mo NHFal ala
| Of painting seriously, l must decline any further
transactions with you, and remain, sir, yours obedi-
emily, PETER SPACH.
When the artist recovered from his aston
ishment at this remarkable epistle, he burst
into fit of laughter that made the studio
ring.
His moneys worth-ha, hA Maitre Har.
pagon has oyerreRched 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 criti-
cally, only to become more convinced of its
merit. He knew that art judges would pro
nounce it chef d'oeuvre, His amusement
| began to give way to irritation at the indigni-
ty that had boen put upon it, and vague pro
jects of vengeance rose before him as he pac-
ed the floor with bent head and knitted brow.
T Suddenly he stopped short, his eyes spark.
ling with mischievous satisfaction at the idea
that had suddenly occurred to him. He took
his palette and set to work upon the picture
again, adroitly altering aud retOuching it.
In an incredibly short space of time it un,
derwent startling metamorphosis. While
carefully preserving the likeness, he altered
the face by exaggerating its characteristics
giving IA cunning leer to the deeply-set eyes,
a grmmer curve to the thin lips, and scow
to the heavy brows. A stubbY beard appear
ed on the chin, and the attitude became droop
ing and deeyepit
Then the notary accessories vanished, the
background becoming the wall of cell, will
a barred window; while the table, with it
litter Of parchments, was transformed into 1
rough bench, beneath which might be dis
cerned pitcher and loaf.
When this was achieved to his satisfaction
the artist signed his work, and gummed OF
the frame conspicuous label with the in
scription Imprisoned for Debt"
Then he sent for a iacre, and drove TO Mel
chior's the well-known picture dealer in tn
Rue de la Madeleine, whose window offer
such constant attraction to lovers of art
"I have something to show you" bega
Wiertz. ~ have just finished this study
which think is fairly successful. Can yo
find room for it in your Window"
''Find room for it l should think so !!
exclaimed the dealer, enthusiastically. IN
dear fellow, IL Is nrst rhte! nave seen notu
ing of yours more striking and orignal-an
that is saying good deal What price d
you put upon itr'
II have not yet decided, replied the paint
er. "Give it good place in the window an
# a purchaser presents himself let me know.
The picture was Immediately installed !
the place of honor, and soon attracted curl
Gus group. All day Melchior's window wa
surrounded, and next day the papers notice
, the wonderful picture, aud sent fresh crowd
G to gaze at it,
Among the rest was a friend of Maitre vo
I Spach who could hardly believe his eyes o
recognizing the worthy notary in this 'que
I tionable shape" He at once hastened to il
p. form him of the liberty which had been take
, with his person and not long afterward I'll
old lawyer burst into the shop, startling i
proprietor, who at once recognized the orig
{ nal Of the famous picture.
o "M Melchior,' began the intruder,
Q have been made the victim of shamef
practical joke by one of your clients. It