Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-08-07
mE1ssoN1ER's 1914"
History and Description of the
Worlds Costliest Picture.


Worlds Costliest Picture.
Neissonier's 1914" was painted
, twenty-eight years ago. At about that
time Delahaute French fnancier with
. passion for the fine arts, called at
Messonier's studio. The painter was
busy with very little picture.
''What is this picture to representa-
asked Delahaute.
"a military subject, which | have en-
titled 1914, twas Meissonier's response.
"Your subject is very big, but your
canvas is very small, NJ. Meissonier. Why
don't you paint a large picturel"
'Thave sketched In the picture thus
small" explained the artist, 'for two
reasons: first, because it is after my own
style Of painting and second, must con-
foss 1t openly, because l am in need Of
money. / work very slowly, and there
fore can complete small picture much
sooner than large one"
'sYou need money! Paint my picture
then. What will it COST"
"Five thousand dollars"
''Humph that is a good deal of
money! Delahaute drew purse from
his pocket, however, and counted out
$5, 900 on the artists table. 81 wish
also to have your picture, 1914, ," he
continued, "but on the express condition
that you paint it on a large Canvas
Some time afterward Meissonier finished
Delahaute's portrait. When the financier
called to look it over, Meissonier showed
him the first sketch of the picture 1914,
asking as that big enough for you2"
Exactly, and what will you charge
metz
Fourteen thousand dollars.n
The picture was finished and paid for,
and was first exhibited in the summer of
1854. 1t was recognized at once as a
great work. A little later came the
great Franco Prussian war, then the
Commune. The picture, it was planned,
should be sold in England for $50, 900,
but the negotiations came to naught.
Sometime afterward one of the Wander
bits offered $50. 900 for it. Delahaute
consulted with Meissonier, who advised
him: Don't let the picture go for so
little money. 1t is worth much more"
Delahaute listened to this advice and
promised the artist so, 900 should tho |
picture be sold for more than the amount |
of Yanderbilts offer. Since 1854 Della
haute had paid annually 800 insurance
on the picture. Last year, when it was
exhibited in the Palais des Beaux Arts, |
the insurance premium was as high as
$500 or somewhat more. Such was the |
condition Of affairs when a short time /
age NJ. Bague, a famous connoisseur Of |
L. r.
300. Delahaute could not resist, and
agreed to sell the picture. Then the
question was: t'For whom did Bague
buy I'll" The next morning every one
knew the answer Bague's principal in
the purchase was NJ. Chauchard, former
director Of the great magazine in the
Louvre. He had offered his representa-
five $1,000 for AIeissoniers MASTER
piece. Consequently, in twenty-four
hours, NJ. Brague, by a mere turn of the
hand, had made $40, 600 in cash. Mil
et's "Angelusn had brought $120, 900,
md Murillo's Ascension $3.50, 900.
This most costly of modern paintings
s thus described by Ernest Leblanc in
he Neue Zuercher Zeitung: ION a
'ough, torn, furrowed road, covered with
half melted snow, rides Napoleon on his
var horse, followed by his general staff.
The generals glover, gloomy and discour-
Iged, before them. They do not venture
o break the silence that envelops their
Emperor. Napoleon, with the three-cor-
Tered hat over his brow, gives himself
'ver 10 bitter reflections. His right hand
ests in the fold Of his gray. tightly but
oned coat His countenance is pale. his
ye dead, his mouth deeply marked by
he fever. Immediately behind him rides {
darshal Ney, his clenched fist resting on
lis hip. He wears deep green coat
With a generals sash on the side, and a
'reat gray mantle over his shoulders. (
IN the same level follows General Ber-
hold, enveloped in black mantle and |
nth an expression Of resignation on his
ace In almost the same line follows :
General Drouot. He wears a black coat.
lis tight hand rests in the pocket and J
he steps of his horse appear 10 be rock ,
ng him asleep. Behind him are Gener- 5
Is Gourgaud, Flahaut, and the whole
eneral staff, with guides, couriers and G
ussar officers Y
Meissonier is described by Ernest Le- 5
lane as a little, old. bow-legged man,
nth long beard which falls in waves c
yer his breast. He is not really rich, V
Though many Of his paintings have been d
Did for exceedingly high prices. lie d
as always lived extravagantly, and has 5
confessed that he has never
lade any calculation of the profit that r
as accrued to him from his work. He
as magnificent house in the fashionable
,,arfar of porso rNaxr Xnrl- Co