The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-08-23
4 PAINTERS VENGEANCE.

A PAINTERS VENGEANCE.
Thirty years ago the Belgian painter,
| Antoine Wlertz, was astonishing the
| artistic world by the powerful but cx.
| havagant productions which arc now cX-
| hibitCd ut Brussels in the museum which
bears his name
Though his brush was generally occu-
pied with classical subjects or weird al
lcgorical designs, such as the "Contcst
between Good and Evil, he occasionally
consented to paint portraits. This was
II favor, however. which he only accorded
70 those whose physio3nomy happened
10 interest him. 1T may be added that
his taste inclined rather to the grotcsquc
md eccentric than the beautiful.
One day he received visit from a ccr-
tain NJ van Spach, q notary, who had
been seized with The desire to have his
features pcrpetuatcd by the celebrated
artist. Maitre Won Sp#ch-a dry, wrinll-
led, kccn-cycd old gentleman, with an
expression of mingled shrcwdncss and
self imporiance-was one of the wealth.
lest men in Brussels, and as avaricious
rs he was rich; n characteristic which
had procured him the nickname of
"Maitrc IlmDaGon.
WicrtZ was aware Of his visitors falling:
revcuhclo..' he accedcd to his request
without dc,nur. The fact was, he had
been conquered at first sight by the old
Scrivcncr'S picturesque head. That head
was q perfect treasure to an artist, with
its bald cranium, wrinkled forehead.
shaggy brows ovcrhapging the small
piercing eyes, hooked nose, and thin
tipped mouth, which shut like trap
WicrtZ was fascinated, and, while hi;
visitor was pompousiy explaining his
wishes, the artist was taking mental note
of every Jinc and feature.
Glow much will the portrait cost 2"
was the notarH'& cautious inquiry.
"My terms are ten thousand francs.
monsieur" ," was the reply.
The lawyer started, stared incrcdu.
lously, shrugged his shoulders, and took
up his hat. "In that case" he answered
d,ily, "I have only to wish you good
mOrunC."
Alarmed at the prospect of losing this
pr mising "subjcct," whom he had al.
rea ly i'll imagination transferred to can
vas, Wicrtz hastencd to add: "Those are
my usual terms. but rs your faco inter
csts me, am willing to make q rcduc-
ton i'll yonr favor. Suppose We say five
thousand 2"
But NJ. van Spach still objected, urg-
ing that sHch II sum WAS exorbitant for
ga strip of painted canvas"
At length, after much bargaining and
hesitation, he agreed to pay three thou
sand francs for the portrait, "frame in
cludcd'; and, this being settled. he rose
to take leave.
"When am I to give You the first sit
ting % he iNuuircl
"IheTc IS no hurry" replied the az
tist, who had his own intentions regard.
ing this portrait. Il am somewhat oc
clpicd iust now" but will let you know
when | have morning at liberty. Au
| rcvoir =
The moment his visitor had left the
stu| y, WicrtZ seized palette and brushes,
| placed fresh canvas on his easel, and
dashed i'll the outlines Of the portrait
! from memory He painted rs if for :
wager, while the summer daylight lasted
and, thanks to his marvellous raDiditv O.
execution, when evening came the pic
turc was all but finished.
Eo had represented the old notar,
seated ut u table strcwn with papers an,
.parchmonts. his full face turned towar,
tho spectator. Tho head was brough
out in masterly relief against q shadowc
background, and painted in the artist
best style; bold, free and unconventional
showing no signs of its hurried cXccr
ton. Tho likeness was striking in il
idellty, giving not only the features, bu
me character and expression of the orig
maj, 90 that the canvas seemed instinc
with life.
The folloHing morning Wicrtz gave tn
iiAlshlag touches to his work, put it i'll
iramo, and dispatched it to van Spacl
mStructing the messenger to wait for a
answer.
lie rubbed his hands with pleasure Il
no pictured the old gontleman's dcligl
and establishment, and anticipatcd th
sensation which this tour dc force woul
create n artistic circles.
In duc time the messenger returned
wl'h the picture i'll ono hand and n not
IN the other. Wicrtz hastily dismissc
nm. opened tho letter, and read as 70
! lows
"SIR:--I beg to return your cxhoo,
dlnary production, which I cannot s,u
pose is intended for my portrait as
bears no sort of resemblance to mo,
I'm art, as Ill every thing else. 7 like I
have my moneys worth formy money an
do not choose to pay you 5000 franc
for ono afternoons work. AS Won 4
not consider me worth tho trouble {
painting seriously, must decline nm
inrthcr transactions with you, and +,
main, sir, yours ohcdicntly,
"PETER VAN SPAcn."
When the artist recovered from III
nstonishmcnt at this remarkable onistl,
he burst into II fit of laughter wLjc
made the studio ring.