The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-29

1t VIII BE Exhibited In America AFTER Being
Shown in Paris.
New York sun.
James f. Sutton, of the American Art
picture, The Angelus," after the French
government failed TO secure IL at the price
at which it was knocked down at tho
Secretan sale in Paris. on July i, arrived IN
town yesterday from France, on the stesm-
ship Lain. Mr.. sutton was enthusiastic IN
praise of the picture, but said any patriotic
American who could appreciate patriotism
In Frenchman would be sorry that Francs
was not to have the picture. The French
made 1hs great mistake d;a in Mn not sssns
land they are aware of it
now. Anton Proust, of the govern
mcnt, told me that nearly 100000 francs
were subscribed by the people, but tho
reasons. to pay the remaining $4,000 francs
necessary. The critics of Proust, and those
with him, declared it was extravaganza tor
a government to pay so great sum for
pressure. It's very sad thing for art In
France that it is to be taken from the coun-
try, for believe the picture is the greatest
picture ever painted by any artist; The re-
ligious sentiment in 1T, combined with the
never went up to it but l felt like bowling
my head. So popular is the subject that
fifty-cent autographs of it are scattered all
over France in the peasants cottages,
While remarque proof of an etching by
Waltner was recently sold on the other side
for 5000
"When it became doubtful whether the
French government would buy the picture"
continued Mr.. Sutton, Il contracted with
M. Proust to take it at the price / offered.
! have understood since that another Amer
lcsl was willing to pay the same price Ii L
did not take it. Who he is i 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 safe deposit
cOmpanys vaults, and could not make any
arrangements for exhiting it. 1t is my in
tentlOn now, however, to place 1t on exhi-
bition In Paris, for the benefit of Nine. Mil
let, who lives with her daughter in Paris,
and is quite poor. i ran down to Barbizon
from Paris. by the way, hoping to see Mil
let's house and study, but the little place
has been bought and Incorporated in big
estate adjoining Millet,s place. and every
thing In the house has been scattered. Ac-
cess to 1T is denied, and it looks as though
no one lived in 1T. i shall exhibit the pict-
ure in Paris as soon as l can be sure that no
speculation will be connected with the
benefit for Nine. Millet.n
when will The Angelus' be brought to
American
s"Ah, that ] don't know about" said Mr..
Sutton. The duty Of so per cent. on inn
ported paintings stops me. Otherwise |
francs (Sl10,600) the government adds fee
of per cent, as is customary, which brings
the amount to 5S0,650 francs, or Sl16 100.
The duty would be So, $780, making the
price delivered in New York $50, 500. AS
the picture, exclusive of frame, is 22ls
inches wide and 2512 inches in length, il
seems that The Angelus would cost $500.
a square inch delivered in New York. How
exhibit it if necessary this fall, as the
Verestchagin pictures were exhibited in
New York last winter. Then could take
it back to France. The picture is not for
sale. and it will not be for sale. If it goes
out Of our hands it will probably be pre-
scented to a museum. The Corcoran gallery
worked hard enough to get it. Even if NJ
Proust had bought the picture for the gov
eminent. would have brought it over this
fall to exhibit with the Barge collection to
be shown in the American art galleries.
That is now entirely uncertain. owing to
the loss of a small fortune in duties if it is
brought here to remain permanently. |
hope Congress will pass it through the GUS
tOm-house free by a special act"