The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-02-06
BEFORE THE ANCELUS.
Some Criticisms OF sfiilet's Great Work
Heard From Visitors to the Gallery.


had finished The Angelus," invited an
old friend in the church to come and
see it.
'.Ah. " said the old man, as he gazed
at the picture. 1T is The Angelus; L
hear the bells.
Nhereupon. of course, the artist was
greatly pleased, and promptly declar-
cd that the aim of his life WAS accom-
piished-
The greatest artist OF ancient times
had been deemed wonderful for paint
Ing grapes at which the birds came to
peek; but be had painted a prayer and
a church spire. and Il priest recognized
the words of the invocation and heard
the sound OF the bells in the steeple-
II HiiIIet were living now. and conld
come to stand before his picture in the
exhibition rooms, says a writer in the
y. I. S,.a. he might be less pleased,
but he certainly would be as highly en-
teriiinei BY the comments made by
tie continuous throng that passes be-
fore tie picture. OF course, nine peo-
pie oft Of every ten are surprised to
i!Ei how small 1t is. Somehow no
amount Of culture or training in art IS
mind the idea that pictures are valua-
bic according 10 their size, and the
comparison between the price which
The Angelus'' brought at its last sale,
and the number of square inches in
the canvas is so startling that it shocks
the uuprepared mind. Everybody has
a different way of expressing this dis
satisfaction with the size of the master
piece One old lady pushed up before
it during one Of the most crowded
hours OF the exhibition. She was rich
iv dressed and evidently felt herself
fully competent to criticiSe anything
in tie art line. 1t could be seen as she
approached that her eyes were focused
ior something very large and start
linz. When she had reached the front
she gazed blankly at the eXpanse of
red draperies Finally she caught
si4ht OF the picture, and placing a
lurgaette to her eye. leaned her head
wei! back and gazad at the picture in
tently, and, at last. scornfully. After
q few moments she put down her
glasses. and. half turning to the specta-
tors about her, said in a loud and dis
tinct voice:
We'll, I'm disappointed.n
Nobody seemed Interested in the an
noUnceMcnt. and she turned and took
another look.
Yes, | am disappointed, she re-
peated in an even more distinct tone of
voice.
Nobody answered her.
Il am very much disappointed, she
n
the same aggressive tone.
Still nobody paid any attention to
her, and she looked again.
Il don't know when Eve been so dis
appointed" was the way she put it this
time.
There were a few disrespectful gig
giles, and then a woman near her re-
marked in a coldly unsympathetic
voice:
Would you kindly keep your disap-
pointment to yourself and let lis enjoy
the picture?"
The disappointed woman evidently
had establishment added to her other
feelings at this unexpected sally, but
She made no reply and strobe haughti-
Is away after another scornful look at
the helpless little canvas. As she
passed out of the building she was
noticed stopping before a gorgeous red
and black Rocky Mountain scene in
the front room and exclaiming:
There, that's what | call something
likem
Very cOmical are the mistakes made
by spectators as to the meaning OF the
picture. 1t would break Millet's heart
TO know of some of these. One appar-
emily intelligent and cultivated woman
came in the other day, and after gaz-
ing long time at the picture sat down
in a chair beside the Girl who sells cata.
logues at table in front of The An
gelus."
That's Il love subject?n remarked
:he woman, opening a conversation.
The girl discreetly made no reply.
Yes and | think it's so beautiful
continued the woman. just see how
modest the young woman isl
The paralyzcd catalogue girl ventur-
ed feeble ''Yes?n
Il do love such subjects; and hasn't
he painted ii exquiSitely?' the woman
went on.
Just here the catalogue girl was
saved froni D..Igeg Of hysteria by the
arrival of the wOman's husband. He
had 4 catalogue in his hand, and he
led his wife around to look at the other
pictures.
Presently the woman car back in a
great aiTy. She had evidently been
read'nr the catalogue.
Why, that isn't love subject at
ali, " she exclaimed sharply to the girl.
The girl was arranging her cata-
logues.
No. that's u religious subject; it
isn't love subject at all, )" repeated the
woman.
The girl saw bit of paper on the
floor on the other side of her table
bent over to pick it up. The W
eyed her for 4 moment, and the.
with subdued intensity:
Did you know that that WI
love subject when | was ta.k;G ~
you?n
The girl is usually truthful, bat here
was no help for it this time. She raised
her eyes to those of the woman and
said unbiushingly, but somewhat fee
bly,:
No, ma am"
The woman gave her another sharp
look, but went away apparently Salts
iial