The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-17
the homes of the old masters and master

the homes of the old masters and master
pieces, he accordingly made preparations
IS 80 he TO ae o new sea 9orR to
Tarrying at Antwerp for one day, viewing
the while In entranced delight the paint
FASTENED on to Munich, travelling by steam
err up the Rhine from Cologne to Mayence.
With characteristic zeal he entered upon
seven years of unremitting toll. Devoting
four years to work in the still-life drawing
class. although he might have passed to
ond year he was. in the end awarded the
gold medal. A prominent feature of his
work at home was his portrait painting.
AT Munich also his drawings of heads and
numerous character sketches won for him
much attention, together with gold and sill
yer medals.
The merit Of his genius reached across
the English channel to John Ruskin, who
asked for an examination of his pictures
Inc request was granted, and Ruskin re-
letter. The commentator was especially
significant in view Of the fact that critics
in America or elsewhere outside of the ira
ditional home of art. Senator Mcpherson
Of New, Jersons, now owns his pleasant
In the painting class he again won the
gold medal. His Italian Boy won the
prophecy from his professors that he was
destined to confer great honor upon his
country. His copies of Murillo also added
materially to his fame. His first conception
piece flashed upon his mental vision one
night of 1875 while reading the following
lines of Longfellows "Evangeline:''
Suddenly. as if arrested by fear or feel
ing of wonder,
Still she stood, with her colorless lips apart.
while a shudder
Ran through her frame. and forgotten the
fowerets dropped from her fingers,
And from her eyes and checks the light and
bloom of the morning."
Repeated failures from want of technical
knowledge to sketch. satisfactorily, the
the self-impoSsd severe apprenticeship pre-
viously described. The year of 1887 marked
the artists magic touch his ideal assumed
form and color. But through the following
two years he put his life as Well as his
soul into the picture. His unusual applica-
ton and unhygienic living gradually Slapped
his strength. He often took long walks
into. the country surrounding Munich. be-
coming well known and loved by the peas
ants TO whom he sang the folklore songs in
their native tongue. Returning one day,
drenched and chilled by unexpected rain,
he was stricken with violent hemorrhage
of the lungs. Tossing on bed Of fever and
pain, he talked in his delirium about his I'M
finished .Evangeline." His mind dwelt so
ing little strength, the physicians allowed
him to be carried to his studio in a chair,
daily, for six weeks. With the last touch
his health gave away completely. The tri-
umph OF the artist and his work came with
the first critic Placed on exhibition for
three months at Munich where il attracted
universal attention, the painting was then
taken to the Worlds Exposition, at Paris.
Being afterwards transported 10 America,
it exhibited, successfully, in Boston,
Philadelphia, and Indianapolis. 1t was pur-
chased in Paris in 1891, for six thousand
dollars, by the Detroit millionaire, Hon.
Bella Hubbard, who presented IL TO the De-
troit Art Museum. IL was regret or the
artist that his painting did not find a rest
ing place in his native State.
After the completion Of Evangeline," al
though the exhausted author was daily ex-
pect cd TO die, he recovered sufhcientiy to be
moved TO the beautiful Davos Piatz In
Switzerland, among the Alps. There his
health was in part restored, and he painted
another masterpiece, 1.-The Day Before the
Wedding" which is now owned by Mrs.
Platt of Chicago, and which is technically
Judged TO be his finest work. The absence
of the owner abroad prevented its appear
ance at the worlds fair.
Two of his paintings were. however. in
the Columbian Art Exhibit: one, "Blissful
Hours" owned by David Gebhart, of Day
ton, the other, The Hour OF Prayer" in
the possession of the artists wife.
While residing in Switzerland, Richards s
patrons multiplied. and IL seemed that fin
anciaI prosperity would be added to fame.
But health proved Elusive. Besides physi-
cal pain he suffered disappointments. which
would have discouraged one less determined.
Following the completion of Evangeline, the
director board of the Boston Art School.
offered him the dictatorship with corps
of teachers OF his own selection. and any
amount or money necessary to make the
world In the artists own words. Victory
stood at the door with full hands" Yet his
physical condition compelled him 10 dScline
such a splendid opportunity. But with all
the heartaches which this and other disap-
pointments must have caused him, he faced
the future with a heroic determination,
which can be described best in his own
words, written May 80, 1884: MY maxim