The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1888-12-08
COPYING PICTURES.

WI LINZ lOl " lLA'.
HOW THE OLD MASTERS GREAT
PAINTINGS ARE REPRODUCED.
Scenes in the Art Galleries of tho Old
world-Artists at Work-NIcthods of
Copying-Ladics Who Study High Art.
Restrictions.
Whether it is preferable to purchase ua
original picture for a certain sum, or fu- the
like money to obtain good copy of q mas
terpiece of ancient art, is question admit
ting of much debate. To many the wor,
copy" is held in detestation. There al..
others to whom the old masters are marvels
when seen as originals in the galleries Il
some large city, but who do not think a re
production of much value Again, there are
a few lovers of art who, unable to have tbs
actual picture they admire are willing t.
pay handsomely for good copy Occasion
| ally a wealthy tourist, also is struck 10y tho
wonderful correctness with which n certain
| picture is being reproduced, and Offers tho
artist good round sum for his Work. If rot
already sold. the money is gladly accepted
aud the tourist goes on his way rejoicing.
and ever afterward tells the tale of how he
knew good picture when he saw it, Besides
these two above mentioned buyers, dealers
are the men on whom copyists have mostly
| to depend.
| on A COPYING DAY.
1t is q very curious sight on a copying day
at any of the large European treasure houses
to wander about tho galleries and observe
the numbers engaged at their work. Not
| less interesting is it to study the character
istics of the crowd. Old men and maidens.
young men and a few children, with an
occasional old maid or two thrown in, are all
! TO be found there Here an Old ma,l-luaylv,
q disappointed artst-with rusty clothes, is;
doing his best to make a telling picture
from Raphael Before another great work
IL sprightly young artist has planted his easel
and canvas, aud by the vigorous work he is
doing shows tina. his life will not he doomed
to u perpetual existence of copying. lie
probably like that young girl over there
transferring Nelasluez To her canvas, is
working two or three days a week To make
money either to continue his studies or
supply models for his own pictures which
are to take honors mt Burlington house. the
Salon or elsewhere. Then there are the
regular copyists who make this reproducing
of pictures their sole occupation of life,
having to sell mostly to the dealers. but ev,i,
ready to make a better sale with an outside
purchaser. Children, accompanied by
adults, are also to be found trying to copy
in pescil and occasionally in COLOR and these,
with those who study for pleasure or instruc-
close the list of the many beings who thus
pass some of their time
a large number of people think that u
copy picture is comparatively an easy
thing and requires no great amount OF train
ing. To give an idea of color and drawing
in ones own style of painting may not he st
difficult, hut to reproduce a subject in OK,
actly the same manner the original artist
painted it means great deal more. Ther,
are two ways of copying First by using
pigments which will give the color of til.
picture as it now is; and second, by tryin.
to imagine how the subject really looked
when it was fresh and new from the paint
er's hand and treating the copy so then 10y
means Of glazcs and varnishes. ETC., making
it appear quite as old rs the original In the
first instance many colors now in ordinary
Use have to be discarded and tho few know II
of in those days used. But knowing, on
rather understanding, both these methods
means but half the battle. The copyist li;l.
to study the technique of the artist whose
work he wishes to reproduce, that is, how II,
got his effects, handled his brushes and o,licl
minu,i;r. Some few can iinbibe so much oi
the original painters technique that wcrt
they to paint q portrait or some such picture
the finished work might almost be taken Il,
coming from tho hand of II man dead lon.
Years ago.
FOR A LIVELIHOOD.
Among the many copying for their livcli
hood there are few who spend the grcatel
part of their time in reproducing one OF twc
pictures. They have acquired the necessary
peculiar brushwu-H and color for these rcl
urcS, and their work when finished except
for its freshness and being on Il smaller can
vas could hardly be distinguished from tht
original. Generally, these copyists arc noted
and their productions bring them good prices
But apart from the monetary side theil
lives must be wanting in interest Ne
chanically they draw, working always lay
squares, mechanically they paint, ever ,lsn.
he same quantity Of this or that pigment
AS a machine, they take no notice of any on.
around them, and if they are interrupted
OF questioned they mechanically reply
AS directly opposed to tho old stagers, lie,
us glance at the many ladies who come t.
these galleries to study and to enjoy them
selves. There are few very regular attend
ants, grim old maids, with whom, for Tho
present. we will have nothing to do Wha
we want to see are the pretty young girls
well dressed and wearing becoming lit:l,
aprons, who wrestc with Turner or strug
gle with Raphael, and between wliles run
off to each others places to have Il little chat
who like to get into difficulties and hav,
charming young artists come and otfe1
to help them out Of their troubles, and fir
with them just little to repay them fol
their trouble. Too mach of this sort Of thius
cannot be INDUCED in, as there are guardian
always about who have to see that those vlt
nakeu use of the privilege OF copying i'll TIL
gallery do not abuse it. 1t is undoubtedly
privilege. and not every one can obtain it,
To enable one to do 50 an application ha.
to be made to the proper authorities, SOM
specimens of previous work submitted, and
If foreigner, letter from the embassado
or cousll, asking admission Gu behalf Of TIL
applicant. This permission once obtained j
available for n whole lifetime. subject, o
course, to the strict adherence to all rule
and regulations relating to copying iii.
only one need draw particular attention t,
is the one i'll force all over Europe to proyid
against any picture being copied on simi
lar sized canvass to the original. Many O
| tho foreign galleries do not permit OF ..lori
than one copy being mad. from q picture
and that being finished TIE ticket is of u
more use.-London Cor. San Fraacisc;
Chronicle.