Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-02

ox(or eeveral yeafe OF ars stady, Nv"
cAiefIv consisted Of drawing and pant
- re male human form In every con.
esiysbjs position. Italian models hso
erovn positively losshsons to me.
- tirsd Of their dark.brown sksns'
Siack hair and eyes. ! knew their
horss apd muscles by heart. A
A. skelston stood In my small
stndic e home. I had drawn II 10
~ ana ink over and over again. Even
+ nv dreams I Was pursued by visions
AZ bones and muscles, and whom !
talked 70 friends would mentally strip
then Of their flesh and soc their sksle-
tops--such was the result OF foWonrs
psrdrx or foyonrs anatomy! The
monotony Of my studies extinguished
nv srdor for IN srt which seemed
made up Of men and muscles.
So one day ] made up my mind to 90
and worship At the shrine Of the old
masters in the National Gallery TO see
IL these high priests could inspire and
rekindle In me the sacred fire that was
diving 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'eurre. which
ever Of them just then most struck
nv fancy. found it difficult to
decide. At last l fixed on the portrait
of Andrea del Sarto painted By him
self. The melancholy, handsome face,
with the sad eyes. fascinated me. Or
oil this splendid collection 1t was the
portrait which attracted me most.
recalled Browning's lines:
"I often am much wearier than you think
This evening more tDan usual:
], painting from myself and 70 mysen,
Know what do an unmoved by mems
Or their praise either"
took the measure Of the canvas,
and that day week (the National Gal
lery Is only open to copyists twice
week, Thursdays and Fridsys), set to
work with fine determination to rem
der full justice to the splendid original.
While drawing 1t in I thought over his
sad domestic life; his worship OF
vita so utterly unworthy Of him every
vsy, one who through her love Of
money ended by bringing disgrace on
his name. Mwonder his eyes should
be so sad and his beautiful mouth
tremulous with repressed feelings.
began to paint. Now came the tug
of war. The eyes produced were like
two blazing little black beads. The
nostrils, instead Of expressing sensi-
tiseness, seemed as though they inhaled
q smell which not even the perfumes Of
Arabia could sweeten. l was inwardly
execrstipg the difficulties had brought
on myself when became conscious OF
q presence behind me. l was too
epgrosssd in my work to take particu-
lar notice, but the presence drew
nearer, and through the corners Of
my eyes l saw . clumsy pair of muddy
boots evidently belonging to the mascu-
line gender. The wearer of the boots
coughed it was not big cough, but
. series Of little husky sounds that ir-
ritated me. longed for him to choke
and expire on the spot. II he were to
remain much longer ] felt l must Ger.
tainly inAict some stains of paint on his
person.
+" Admirable, beautiful I" exclaimed
. voice with Scotch intonation.
turned round, my face flushing.
Was this individual making fun of my
efforts, or was he in earnest9 If the
latter, then he must in art matters be
On igporamus.
beheld stout, elderly man with
red, jovial countenance; . large ver-
million nose with . couple of buds Of
noses spripging from the main stem,
looking as iflater on they might develop
into other full-grown noses; his small
blue eyes twinkled pleasantly; his
whiskers were gray, long, and bushy,
the old Picadilly weeper. He was at
tired in q tweed, heather.colored suit,
and looked like Scotch tourist out on
. holiday.
"Excuse me for interrupting YOU"
he said, taking off his hat and display
ing . bald head with fringe of gray
hair that stood erect, shut ] cannot re-
frain from expressing my admiration Of
your clever work. Already l like it
better than the original it is not 80
dark and it is smoother; you are q
gifted lsssie. Now, would you mind
undertaking q portrait? / am rather
DESTROYS to have my old phiz painted
for my only relation, sister who lives
In America"
Twas so taken aback by the sudden
ness of this request that could scarcely
answer; I had never before received q
commission.
81 have never painted portrait" |
muttered, leaning on my mshl-stick,
pallet and brushes in hand but have
been studying art for several years"
swell, will you make beginning
witn meg" Saying this be planted
himself well in front of me, so that
had q thorough good view Of him.
There could not be more striking con-
trast in the beautiful, refined, melan-
cboly Andrea del Sarto than that pre-
sen,sd by this elderly, highly.colored
old Scot-hi heather trousers bagged
ct the knees, . thick gold chain reposed
on his well-developed gastronomic re-
gion.
"What sized portrait would you like:
Head and shoulders, or one with the
hands included?"
"Down Is far o. the knees" he an
swered, stroking his trousers. "Whil'
] am about it may IS we'll 60 in for
big picture. Now business is business
may ask what your terms are for
portraity ! wish was younger ant
better looking, but that Is no fault o
mipe.'' He said this with genia
smile which improved his plain counts
my terms for = portrait! ALLOW
me to consider"
"Yes, lake your time. have beef
looking round the gallery and rsall..
don't much like the old masters the,
were % dark. Now, just look At thi
Ga woman by Rembrandt; am sur
ecu paint better than that. Your wor
nice and smooth and shiny; this
ihick and dull"