Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-06-23
MY FIRST SITTER.
.TBelgrayia.1

MY FIRST SITTER.
[Belgravia.J
| Ihad emerged from the Slade School af-
ter several years of art study, which chiefly
consisted of drawing and painting the male
human form In every conceivable position.
italian models had grown positively loath-
some tome. Twas tired of their dark brown
skins, black hair and eyes. knew their
bones and muscles by heart. A fine skele-
ton stood in my small studio at home. l
had drawn it in pen and ink over and over
again. Even in my dreams 1 was pursued
by visions of bones and muscles, and when
l talked to friends l would mentally strip
them of their flesh and see their skeletons
such was the result of toujours perdrir
or tOujours anatomy The monotony of my
studies extinguished my ardor for an art
| which seemed made up of men and muscles.
So one day I made up my mind to go and
worship at the shrine of the old masters in
the National Gallery to see if these high
priests could inspire and rekindle in me
| the sacred fire that was dying out. l
wandered through that temple of art, filled
with awe and wonder at the magnificent
works that surrounded me. Yes, would
try to copy one of these chefs d '9uwe,
whichever of them just then most struck
my fancy. 1 found it difficult to decide
At last l fixed on the portrait of Andrea
del Sarto painted by himself. The melan-
choly, handsome face, with the sad eyes,
fascinated me. Of all this splendid collec-
tion it was the portrait which attracted me
most. l recalled Browning's lines:
ST often am much wearier than you think
This evening more than usual;
I. painting from myself and to myself.
Know what 1 do am unmoved by mems
| blame
Or their praise either.''
l took the measure of the canvas, and
that day week (the National Gallery is only
open to copyists twice week, Thursdays
and Fridays), set to work with fine deter
mination to render full justice to the spen-
did original. While drawing it, I thought
over his sad domestic life; his worship of a
wife so utterly unworthy of him every way,
one who through her love of money ended
by bringing disgrace on his name. No
wonder his eyes should be SO sad and his
beautiful mouth tremulous with repressed
feelings.
1 began to paint. Now came the tug of
war. The eyes l produced were like two
blazing little black beads The nostrils,
instead of expressing sensitiveness, seemed
as though they inhaled smell which not
even the perfumes of Arabia could sweeten.
I was inwardly execratipg the difficulties I
had brought on myself when l became con-
scious of a presence behind me. l was too
engrossed in my work to take particular
notice, but the presence drew nearer, and
through the corners of my eyes | saw a
clumsy pair of muddy boots evidently be-
longing to the masculine gender. The
wearer of the boots coughed; it was not
big cough, but series of little husky sounds
that irritated me. | longed for him to
choke and expire on the spot. If he were
to remain much longer l felt must GER
tainly infict some stains of paint on his
person.
Admirable, beautiful r' exclaimed a
voice with Scotch information.
l turned round, my face flushing. Was
this individual making fun of my efforts,
or was he in earnest? If the latter, then
he must in art matters be an ignoramus.
beheld Stout elderly man with a red,
jovial countenance; large vermilion nose
with couple of buds of noses springing
from the main stem, looking as if later on
they might develop into other full grown
noses; has small blue eyes twinkled pleasant
ly; his whiskers were gray, long, and bushy,
the old Picadilly weeper. He was attired in a
tweed, heather-colored suit, and looked like
Scotch tourist out on a holiday.
| Excuse me for interrupting you," he
said, taking off his hat and displaying a
bald head with a fringe Of gray hair that
stood erect, ''but cannot refrain from ex-
pressing my admiration of your clever work
Already like it better than the original;
| it is not so dark and it is smoother; you are
a gifted lassie. Now, would you mind un-
dertaking portrait? I am rather desirous
to have my old phiz painted for my only
relation, sister who lives in America
was so taken aback by the suddenness
of this request that l could scarcely answer;
l had never before received commission.
81 have never painted portrait" NUT
tered, leaning on my mahl-stick pallet and
brushes in hand; but have been studying
art for several years.
'EWell, will you make beginning with
me?" Saying this he planted himself we'll
in front of me, so that had thorough
good view of him. There could not be a
more striking contrast in the beautiful, re-
fined, melancholy Andrea del Sarto than
that presented by this elderly, highly-color-
ed old Scot-his heather trousers bagged at
the knees, a thick gold chain reposed on
his well developed gastronomic region.
"What sized portrait would you like?
Head and shoulders, or one with the hands
included?"
"Down as far as the knees" he answer
ed, stroking his trousers. 'fWhile [ am
about it may as well go in for big pic
ture. Now business is business; may [
ask what your terms are for a portrait? |
wish was younger and better-looking, but
that is no fault of mine' He said this
with genial smile which improved his
plain countenance.
"NIy terms for portrait! Allow me to
consider
eyes, take your time. I have been look
ing round the gallery and I really don't
much like the old masters; they were so
dark. Now, just look at this old woman by
Rembrandt; l am sure you paint better than
that. Your work is nice and smooth and
shiny this is thick and dull"
81 paint better than Rembrandtp'
eyes; consider him a duffer.''
'!But he is one of the very greatest of
painters. l admire him immensely, and
only wish | could ever produce anything
that might remind any one of his work.
He is the greatest master Of chidroscaTo!"
s'What does that mean? But no matter.
| don't admire him, and, if you wish to
please me, don't paint my portrait with
Jumps of paint. Now,' turning round and
looking at me steadily, ''you have no Jumps
in your face, you are quite smooth"
'sAnd not shiny l hope" I said this
smiling merrily, for saw it was no use
arguing art questions with this jovial Phil
istine.
''My picture must be smooth, shiny, with
clean white shirt, and all my ornaments
neatly painted; my coral studs, and" TAX
ing off bright yellow kid glove, "this ring;
it is a carbuncle with associations. I want
it painted-in fact, represent me just as I
am, so that all my friends may know me. -
felt this picture would give me trouble,
and never could enhance my artistic repu-
tation. But I was an orphan with small
means; and this Scotchman looked prosper
GUS.
eff you wish the hands included it will
, be sixty guineas." | said this with aplomb,
/ while feeling like tradesman.
every well, I am willing to give this sum
for "a good likeness. When shall come to
sit? The sooner the better; I am bird OF
passage, and am in London only for short
time - He fumh1ed in his Donket aud