Wichita eagle., 1888-10-11
COPYING PICTURES.
HOW TIE Old MASTERS GREAT
PAINTINGS ARE REPRODUCED.

PAINTINGS ARE REPRODUCED.
Scenes IN the Art Galleries of the Old
Worid-A-t;5ts at Work-Methods of
Copying-Lsdies Who Study High Art
Restrictions.
Whistler it is preferable 20 purchase al
original picture for certain SUN, or fo- the
Ike money to obtain good copy Of g mas
te.piece Of ancient art, is a question admit
ting OF much debate To many the word
''ccPy7 is he'd in detestarion. There ara
ot.-rs 20 WHOM the old masters are rnarvels
when seen as originals in the galleries Of
some large city, but who do not think a re-
producrtou Of much value. Again, there are
= fcv lovers Of art who, unable to have tho
actual picture they admire, ara willing to
pay handsomely for good copy. Occasion
ally wealthy tourist, also, IS struck by the
wonderful correctness with which q certain
picture Is being reproduced, and offers the
artist a good round sun for his work. II not
already sold, the money is gladly accepted
aid the tourist goes on his way rejoicing,
Cld ever aftsrward tells the tale Of how he
knew 4 good picture when he saw IL Besides
these two above mentioned buyers, dealers
Erc tho men on whom copyists have mostly
10 depend
on COPYING DAT.
It Is a very curious light on a COPYING day
II any az the large European treasure houses
10 wander aoout the galleries and observe
the numbers engaged at their work. Not
less interesting IS it TO study the character
ist;cs of the crowd Old men and u.aidens.
M oL;1
occasional old maid or two thrown in, are all
70 be found there. Here an old man-maybe
q disappointed arts5-with rusty clothes, is
doing his best 70 make a telling picture
from Raphael. Before another great work
o sprizhtly young artist has planted mis- easel
aad canvas, and by TIE vigorous worI, he is
doing shows that his life VIII not be doomed
TO q perpetual existence Of copying. He
probably, like that young girl over there
transferring a Felasquez 20 her canvas is
wOrAEg two or three days week 20 make
money either 10 continue his studies or
supply models for his own pictures which
are to take honors at Burlington house. the
Salon or elsewhere. Then there are the
regular copylsts who make this reproducing
OF pictures their sole occupation of life,
having TO sell mostly 10 the dealers, but ever
ready 70 make a better sale with an outside
purchaser. Children, accompanied by
adults, are also 10 be found trying TO copy
IN pencil and occasionally in color. and these,
with those who study for pleasure or instruc-
ton by copying from the great masters,
close the list Of the many beings who thus
pass some OF their time.
A large number Of people think that TO
copy a picture IS comparatively an easy
!
ing. To give an idea of color and drawing
IN oue's own style of painting may not be so
difficult, but 20 reproduce a subject IN ex-
actly the same manner the original artist
painted it means a great deal more. There
are two ways Of copying. First, by using
pigments which viii give the color of the
picture as II now is; and second, by trying
10 imagine how tho subject really looked
when Il vas fresh and new from the paint
er's hand and treating the copy so, then By
means Of Clazes and vaTpishes, etc. making
Il appear quite as old SIS the original In the
first instance many colors now in ordinary
use have TO be discarded and the few known
If In those days used. But knowing, or
rather understanding, both these methods
means but half the battle. The copyist has
% study the technique of the artist whose
WORK he wishes 60 .-srroduce, that Is, how he
got his effects. handled MS brushes and other
rninutie Some few can imbibe so much Of
the original painters technique that wers
they 90 paint portrait or some such pictur.
the finished work might almost be taken as
coming from the hand OF q man dead long
years ago
FOR A LIVELIHOOD.
Among the many copying for their lveli-
nood there ara a few who spend the greater
part Of their time IN reproducing one or two
pictures. They have acquired the necessary
peculiar hrushwo-x and color for these pict-
1res, aud their work when finished, e1ceps
for It's freshness and being on smaller can
vas, could hardly be distinguished from the
original Generally, these copylsts are notei
and their productions bring them good priceA
But apart from the monetary side, their
HIVES must be wanting in interest Ne
chcutcalIy they draw. working always by
SQUARES. mechanically they paint. ever using
the same quantity Of this or that pigment.
As a machine, they take no notice Of any one
around them, and if they are interrupted
or questioned they mechanically reply.
As directly opposed TO the old stagars, let
rs glance 40 the many ladies who come to
thess galleries TO study and 70 enjoy them
selves. There are a few very regular attend
ants, grim Old maids, wirn WHOM, for the
present. we VII have nothing TO do. What
VIC wait 10 see are the preSty young girls, /
wei dressed and wearing becoming little
e2rors. who vFrest-s with q Turner or stzug-
gIe with Rapaael, aid between whites run (
- 70 eaoa Others places 20 have little chat
who h1o 20 cec tnao difficulties and have
rSx-Utay yor-g artists come ald offer
- .eip sSa4l ors IF their troubles s1d firs .
WITH teen Just : krtle to repay them for .
tsel- t--lb.e. Too much CT this sort CT thing
calnoe - ioculged II, as there are guardians
c,Eeys aco1s who hsre % see that those wha
make uss OF tas privilege OF copying IL the
gallery Go lot GaCse IL :. IL undoubtedly &
privilege. and ncs every o1e can OBTAIN II
To ea.bae one TO do 50 an application hss
to be made to TIE proper authorities. some
specimens o. prsvicls work Submitted. and.
L foreiA-, leSS rom the erahaSsdo-
cr coss.al, ask.rs admission on beoaaf of the
nppuca1t Tbs permission once obtained IL
sYarabs, for o wholo h:ahrc, subject. Of
ooor.a. to the serict adherence to al rules
nd regulations reiating 60 cooyiaz. Tas
uzty one need draw particular attention TO
u ehs oae IN force al over Europe 70 provide
against cry picture being copied q sssi-
" sized canvass 10 the original Many q
tie foreign galleries 60 not permit OF moro
than occ copy being made from plctura,
nd snas beng finished tho ticket Is Of no
Mo use-LonGon Co. San Francisco
f...S-u-,.oln
He Lived Close BY
BanSer-WLati you here again already.
Bergr-Tss; you zee Ifve right around
{-< ar for
saa 20 -.i-Tars. Siftia-.