Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-27
MoRMoNs DrsFRANCHrsEp IN IDAHO.
MILLET'S GREAT WORK,
Mr.. Sutton Tells Of His Purchase of
ssL'AngeIus."

A New York special to the Philadelphia Press
says: James F. Sutton, of the American art
association, who bought Millet's great picture,
''The Angelus," after the French government
failed to secure it at the price at which it was
knocked down at the Secretan sale in Paris on
July /, arrived in town to-day from France.
Mr.. Sutton was enthusiastic in praise of the
picture.
POLITICS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.
"The French made a great mistake in not
keeping the picture" said Mr.. Sutton, "and
they are aware of it now. Anton Proust, of the
government told me that nearly 500 600 francs
were subscribed by the people, but the govern
ment could not afford, TOR political reasons, to
pay the remaining 253.000 francs necessary
Tho critics of Proust, and those with him. de-
clared it was extravaganza for a government to
pay so great a sum for picture, and the gov
eminent yielded to the pressure. It's a very
sad thing for art in France that the picture is
to be taken from the country, for / believe it
is the greatest work ever painted by any artist
The religious sentiment in ii, combined with
the landscape, makes it a masterpiece, and
never went up TO ii bat 1 felt like bowling NV
head. So popular is the subject that 50-cent
Autographs of it are scattered all over France in
the peasants cottages. while a remarque proof
of an etching by Waltner was recently sold On
the other side for $4,000.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF NINE. MrLLEr.
''When it became doubtful whether the
French government would buy the picture"
continued Mr.. Sutton, Il contracted with NJ.
Proust to take it at the price offered. / have
understood since that another American was
willing to pay the same price If did not take
it. Who he is don't know. AS learned that
the picture was mine only short time before
starting for New York. only had time to put
1t in a safe deposit companys vaults. and could
not make any arrangements for exhibiting il.
1t is my intention, however, to place it on ex-
hibition in Paris for the benefit of Nine. Millet
who lives with her daughter in Paris and is
quite poor. / ran down to Barbizon from
Paris, by the way. hoping to see Millet's house
and study, but the little place has been bought
and Incorporated in a big estate adjoining Mil
let's place. and every thing in the house has
been scattered. Access to it is denied. and it
looks as though no one lived in it. 1 shall ex-
hibit the picture in Paris as soon as can be
sure that no speculation will be connected with
the benefit for Nine. Millet."
THE DUTY IN THE WAY.
"When will the Angelus' be brought to
American"
"Ah, that doE't know about" said Mr.. SUIT
ton. 1.-The duties Of 80 per cent on imported
paintings stop me. Otherwise should have il
here soon. In the first place. to the knock
down price of 553, 900 francs (Sll0 600 the gov
eminent adds a fee of per cent, as is custom
airy, which brings the amount to $50. $50 francs,
or S1l6,1 $50. The duty would be S34, $685. max
ing the price delivered in New York sl50, 969
As the picture, exclusive of frame, is 22L inches
wide and 251z inches in length, il seems that
the 'Angelus' would cost $3.50 a square inch
delivered in New York. However, L propose
to bring it over in bond to exhibit it il neces-
sary this fall Then could take il back to
France. The picture is not for SALE and il win
not be for sale. II il goes out Of our hands il
will probably be presented to q museum. The
Corcoran gallery worked hard enough to get il
Even il n. Proust had bought the picture for
the government. would have brought il over
this fall TO exhibit with the Barge collection TO
be shown in the American art galleries. Now
my plans are uncertain. owing 20 the cost of q
small fortune in duties IL It il brought here 10
remain permanently. I hope Congress viii
pass il through the custom house tree by
special act"