Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1889-10-03
vAssIL1 vEREsrcHAa1r.
Interesting sketeh Of tho Life and Work,
ofthe Great Soldier Painter, Whose
Productions are Creating
Much Interest at the
Exposition.
Correspondence Of the Ledger.

Correspondence Of the Ledger
sc@aGIT. LOUIS, Sept. 27.-
| zsAk Vassili verestchagin, the
9Wn great Russian soldier
41 painter whose pictures
are now on exhibition at the Ex-
position, was born in Russia, of
wealthy parents, and is not yet Al
years of age. His early life was
spent as student in the art gal
leries of st. Petersburg; later on he
started out for the Caucasus, and
it isfrom this trip that the world is
indebted for his pictures represent
ing Caucasian peasantry and stud
les of oriental life. After three
years study in Paris he laid down
the brush for the sword against the
Turks in the celebrated Turco- Rus
sian war. At the close of the war
he visited India and has since re-
sided both in Paris and Russia.
The collections of this famous ar
tist number three hundred and
sixty-one, at least twenty of which
are scenes laying bare the horrible
atrocities of bloody warfare. What
stories of valor and endurance these
inanimate figures tell! We can
almost fancy we see the marching
columns and hear the sound of
martial music. They seem to roll
their lines against the battlements
only to be driven back as the
waves of the ocean drive against
the beach. We can almost meas
ure these tests of manhood, of SOL
dierly ability, of courage and en-
durance. How can I describe those
Russian snow scenes as the great
painter has painted them? The
snow seems to drive with almost
hurricane force-a force which
cuts like hail, covering the SOL
diers, horses and cannon. We
stand silently before the canvasses,
and marvel at the effect so true to
nature. One scene, ''The For
gotten Soldier" appeals strongly
to the imagination. It is huge
picture with snow-clad peaks and
rugged mountain scenery. A brave
soldier has evidently fallen in de-
fense OF his country; is buried in
the avalanche of snow, left by his
comrades, but discovered by the
| vultures. An eagle, with out
stretched wings and open beak,
hovers over the spot, attracted by
the scent. 1t needs but little stretch
of fancy to locate the forgotten
soldier" Another entitled "Solo-
mons Temple" is great master
piece. Outside the walls of the
Mosque which occupies the site of
Solomon's Temple are figures
kneeling in abject attitudes, their
heads bent low against the stones
as they sorrow and wall over the
loss Of Jerusalem, praying God to
give the land back to His chosen
people. The life service of these
worshippers has worn the stones in
places, which can be seen with
marvellous realism. The largest
canvass is the "Entrance into Delhi
of the Prince of Wales," accompa-
MED by the Rajah of India. 1t is
27x22 feet and covers one entire
wall. The blue sky of India, the
| pure white of the buildings, the
trlumphal procession of huge ele-
plants, which, with their attend
ants, are gorgeously caparisoned,
form a dazzling picture which can
never be forgotten. ''The Road to
Pleyna'' is another canvass revolt
ling, yet fascinating. A desolate road
covered with snow and dead bodies,
where so. many Turkish prisoners
froze to death; the wagon trains
have passed over them, almost
hiding them from sight, but the
vultures are lowering near, eager
for their prey. Standing out, with
startling effect against a sky gray
with heavy snow flakes, is ''Hang-
ing of Nihilist at St. Petersburg. "
With the hand of genius Verest-
|chag1n has made this one of terri
BILE significance. Another entitled
"Blowing From Gums a scene
during the sepoy rebellion, has its
admirers, but the helpless victims
Itied to the cannon's mouth, the
4 lrigid British soldiers-without one
lime of compassion in their stolid
faces-ready to blow them to
atoms, are SO terrible the majority
of the visitors hurry on. But the
greatest feeling is shown and the
crowds Hnger longest before his
lgreat conception called "The
Roman Execution" which is the
Icrucifxion scene on Mount Cal
wary. The picture seems to stil
ethe soul in its conception, treat
ment and charm of genius. Bibli
Ical writ tells US the crucifxioI
took place early in the morning
outside the walls of Jerusalem
that the women stood afar of
weeping; that the High Priests
were standing near, all of which il
faithfully, trenehantly drawn ane
true to history. Silent and sac
1.-THE crowds stand before it, and th'
, feeling with me-as ! have n.
doubt it is with many-was one o
cor~no,of;nr IN fro say