Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-13
CAPTURE OF A PRIZE.
The Only Authorized Portrait of
Napoleon by Robert Lefevre
GRACES AN AMERICAN GALLERY.
Clever hanipulations Of q Minneapolis
Timber King to Get It.
A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN In TIE CASE

| NePoieon L. mas ever Deen an tnterestinl
character to Americans, writes Harol,
Withrae to The DISPATCH. No less inter
esting was he, per force, to Englishmen, ant
who can comprehend the hero WORSHIP
which lives for him in France. In spite o
this, an American enthusiast has carried Of
what is conceded 10 be one Of the greatest O.
the Napoleonic treasures.
In 1910, shortly after Napoleon formed
the conjugal alliance with Austria by hii
marriage with Marie Louise, and while the
spirit Of fresh adventure tinged his acts, ht
personally commissioned Robert Letevre,
who was then the favorite painter Of the
French nobility, TO execute what he charged
the artist should be his masterpiece In por.
traiture. Notwithstanding Bonaparte'i
aversion TO sitting for portraits, he agreed
that 10 should be from life and gave hil
promise that he would pose attentiyely be'
fore the canvas.
In the month OF March, 1911, 10 was I'm.
ished and pronounced BY the most critical
judges "a grand respirlng counterpart oil
the Emperor. II 10 said that Napoleon was
30 attached 10 the portrait that he carried II
into exile TO Elba, and then TO 81. Helena,
where, In the decay Of his powers, II served
as O realistic lens to his retrospective medi-
tation. In 1921, at Napoleon's death, by
decree Of the exile's will, the famous por-
trait Of 1910 became the most priced treasure
OF the curios and fixtures Of the house Of
the Duo de Choiseul.
When the Duo died In Paris In 1888, his
heir, the Duo de Grevise and uncle Of the
Comte 10 Grange, became vested with an
estate In the portrait. When this duo died
the portrait succeeded to his nephew, Vi
comte G. de Beaupleay, who now resides In
Paris, and from whose estate the portrait
became an American property.
IN TIMBER KINGS COLLECTION
It 10 now the property Of T. B.
Walker, Of Minneapolis, MINI. Mr..
Walker 10 the timber king Of the North.
western States. With $500, 900 or more In
vested in o private collection of acknowl-
edged masterpieces OF the last three
centuries, the liberal quality OF his patronage
keeps him in constant search for the best
examples Of old and modern masters.
Being an admirer of Napoleon L, Mr..
Walker went to Paris in 1889, resolved to
negotiate for the famous portrait Of 1870
which then hung in the Chateau de Nan
talais Neudon-the estate of the Vieomte
de Beaupleay. The American commits
sioner, Mr.. Cramm, who was then in Paris,
was the friend of the Viscomte. BY clever
compact between Mr.. Walker and the
American commissioner, the latter was
commissioned to secure the portrait, even at
the cost Of positive measures and indefinite
means.
The Viscomre was intractable, and avowed
his determination to live with that famous
physiognomy until he passed beyond the ma
terial pleasures of this world. "Why," said
the Viscomte, "should part with the heir
loom of my ancestors, with all its glorious
associations and attachments?'
The commissioner pleaded: "But nv dear
Viscomte, we have among us an American
who may be induced to pay an unreason-
able sum for what you can well spare in
these, the latter days of your life Besides
think can assure you that the portrait
will not leave France until the Exposition is
The last stipulation must have commend
ed itself to the Viscomte's consideration, for
the French Minister of War had the Wis
comte's promise thar the picture should re-
main In the Exposition. The commissioner
urged the Viscomte to set some price, some
quotation to which he would attach his
honor and performance. The Viscomte was
firm in the belief that his only security Law |
In the value he placed upon his chattels.
PRICE HE THOUGHT HIGH ENOUGH.
sOne hundred thousand francsl No.
hold; the sum must not be round. will not |
do even that. Hundred and ten; therei"
said his nobility, as he turned away, "that |
will soothe your importunate Americanp'
He felt certain the timber king would not |
,quander $21, 900 for Napoleon's portrait.
'ven though 1t were worth double that sum |
Is an addition to art in America. Retrac-
ing his steps the Viscomte qualified his offer
,y stating that the picture must not leave
he exposition withoutthe consent Of the
War Department, and this he said, he knew
he commissioners could not invoke.
With characteristic candor, Mr.. Walker
procured current exchange for 110, 900 francs,
dispatched o messenger to the American
Jonsul, and with him held o short oonsulta-
ION, while the commissioner played upon
he heads Of the War Department. For no
onsideration would the department consent
o the removal OF the picture. A charming
Ion. Through her efforts the War Depart-
nent allowed The portrait 70 be taken away,
In the meantime the commissioner sought
he Visoomto at his chateau and, rendering
I'm the currency, ii0, 900 francs, completely
umfounded the Lord OF fRntaiiHis. The
ady meanwhile learned that the Lsfeyre Dor.
rait OF 1900, then In Germany, could be
urehased BY the department, and, acting
a this Gupposltion, the portrait Of 1910 was
,rmally acknowledged the property Of Mr..
Walker.
The famous picture 10 now posed 10 an
Imerlcan audience. Richly dressed, II
angG In the gallery proper, which adjoins
no Walker mansion, In the city OF Mime.
polls, MINI. Though at o great cost,
.merlcans now possess the best material