The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-08-22
A PAINTERS VENGEANCE.

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A PAINTERS VENGEANCE.
Thirty years ago the Belgian painter,
Antoine Wiert2, was astonishing the
artistic world 10y the powerful but ex-
trayaglut productions which are now ex-
hibited at Brussels in the museum which
bears his name.
Though his brush was generally occu-
picd with classical subjects or weird al.
lcgorical designs, such as the Contest
between Good and Evil, he occasionally
consented to paint portraits. This was
n favor, however. which lie only accorded
20 those whose physiognomy happened
70 interest him. 1t may be added that
his taste inclined rather to the grotesque
md eccentric than the beautiful.
One day he rcceivcda visit from GER
tain NJ. van Spach, a notary, who had
been seized with the desire to have his
features pcrpetuated by the celebrated
artist. Maiire won Spach-a dry, wrlnk-
led Eccn.cycd old gentleman, with an
expression Of mingled shrcwdncss and
,olf iml,urtance--was one Of the wealth
lest men in Brussels, aud as avarlcious
ns he was rich; characteristic which
h2I procure" MN :, ''' i'''N''''i''' VI
"Maitre Hmpagon.
Wicrt2 was aware of his visitors FILLING;
nevertheless he accedcd to his request
without dcmur. The fact was, he had
been cohI"cttu Nv i'le' 'b' ~ firratL.1 Wy U,,,
scrivcrcrS picturesque heau' ilI'V l''."u .,u
was perfect treasure 10 nh "i'sS.' "'','
its bald cramum, Wilhhieu n ioicIir"'i ,,,,ii
SHAGGY brows overhahgihg 'he SIialI
piercing eyes, hooked nose, an" tlil'
Tipped mouth, winch smut IKE 'fHP
Wiertz was iSclhate1' ana, Miiilc ii ni'
visitor was pomPo"Sly eNl'i''',in ~.
wishes, the artist was taking mental ho''
of every iihe IN" iTat"ic' II, ;. .. .,
Glow much Will tue portrait cost!
was the notary cautious inquiry,
"My terms are ten thousand francs
monsieur was the reply.
The lawyer S'arteI' s!3reu ihcreu"
lousy, Sh'uSSGo itlS s'lo''''y,S' "li'' 'ooi
mp his hat. I'm that case. ne answered
d1Y, 81 have ohiy 10 WISH you eoo'
morning.
Alarmed Mt the prospect I" iosihg UNI
promising 'suhjcct Wlom Ie i"u IL
ready IN Inauguration 'r''lSIcriCm l,m u ' GU
vas, Wicrl2 fastened TO aou: nose Ut
my "r,.' ,,o 7 % on, m.ilI;no 10 make n reduc
t; 49,, ;m yorr Covnr Sunuose we say fiy
.io, unnnn,1 80 ."
'''J U"t NJ van Spoch still objected. urc
;rr that srch a sum was cxorbitant fu
"a strip Of painted canvas"
At length, after much bargaining an
hesitation, he agreed to pay three thou
sand francs for the portrait, Crane in
cndcd". and, this being settled. he ros
to fake leave,
"Whcn am to give you the first 81
ting ?" he iuuuircd.
"Therc Is no hurry" replied the a,
fist, who hNd his own intentions rc9arC
ing 'l'S p1rI,.. ,,. ,,,t H vii, Iot Wv" ro "
o1P','I P I%,' %,,., 'n", ,,,,ornin" ot libertv 4
;, Mnei, ! =, '''' - N'''"'"e '' '
r'H"m ,,l, ,,,o,,ont ,,;s visitor had left 4,
, ,,,jio Wit so;ynl nolntte and bmshc
sIuolo' "iertH % Se,%v r' 4u''I o, La 'o aasJ az
placed iresh canvas % Oh IS ms th e"sei, ,, ~
uallou ,' II NV 'i.0 J,''', ITo ,,o;rtna as f fnr
rom lncl'oIS ino r,.,L Jn',,inht % loatn
wager; vino '''' a'''l'i,ael Wy rs ~
/ ahd' 'h"pNS u '''' i''"' ''i''"' '"pi''''S
t execution, when evening came the p
n turc was all but finished.
0 lie had represented the old not'
seated at tnnlc streWh WIN p"Pti" .
parchmcnts. bis Gull face turned tow'
the spectator. The head was brous
out in mastery relief against a shauoN
background, and painted IN the artl
A. best style; bold, free and nnconveh.loi @
n, showing no signs OF us n,lritiu ..iI;uo, exc =;
Mt ton. The likeness was ., stFlking r,l,Il IN
81 ndellty, GiVlnS ii1' ,,,,:,ssion o, Of tbo y,
H the chHr"c'tL n'l "no ,Mi,,s eN soomrd inst;
e. mai, so SO ''l'' ''io '''''''~'
to with he
NJ, M The following morning ngWicrtz gave
ne Gni.L;no torrhSs 10 his work, put it i
'o no frame, and dispatched 1t to van opa
~ 80 instructing the messenger TO walt ioi
49, answer.
" He rubbed his hands with pleasure