Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1897-01-27
ROMANCE OF A PICTURE.
Nslssonier's Favorits Painting Rescued
 Prom a German.

Prom German.
 William A Coffin in paper en- titled Souvenirs of Veteran Col leotor" in Tho Century describes the unique art treasures of Mir sam uel r Avery of New York NIT. Coffin relates the following story ot Sao of Meissonier's most famous .bintings:
 The picture shows Marshal sake with a body of troops. intcrrogat ing peasant at a crossroads in the forest and taking notes. In lsSO Mir. William II. Vanderbilt was sit- ting to MvissOnier for his portrait ana Mir. Avery and MT Lucas were invited by the artist to come to his studio during the sittings, as MT. Vanderbilt did not speak French. One day Mir. Vanderbilt asked What picture does NJ Meissonier think is the best he ever painted MeiSsonier, replying through NIT Lucas. spoke of two, She celebrated "ISI4' and "Le Ren>eignement The latter picture, he sand, with a sigh and deeply felt "helas, was in Germany, m the hands uf the enemies of France.
 IL had been painted for the expo sition of 1862 and was bought by NJ. Petit, who asked 6O,O00 francs for it. Mir Walters had offered 40, 900 francs. hut a German banker m Paris, NJ Mayer, paid the price and got the picture He was a well known collector, and his family home was in Dresden. When the war of 1870 broke out. NJ Mayer left Paris and took the picture with him. Mir. Avery had seen his gal. lery every time he went to Dresden, and knew the picture.
 The conversation in the studio continued, and Avery and Lucas agreed that "Ls Renseignement' ' was indeed a wonderful canvas. Petit had tried to buy 1t back, but could not get it. It was thought it would be impossible to get Mayer 70 sell it, but Avery, authorized by MT. Vanderbilt resolved to try. He did not wish to make & trip to Ores den at the time, so he wrote 10 Mayer that friend of his wanted the picture, but not as a matter of business. It was not to buy to sell again. The banker replied that he had often been importuned 10 sell the picture, but had invariably re- fused Yet, now that he felt him self growing old-he had then reach ed the age of S0-and that as after his death his family might not care to keep it, he would take d certain price for it. He added that he might change his mind overnight for hc found it hard to decide to sell Avery lost no time in telegraphing, and the next day received the can vas by parcels post. The marvellous picture was actually in his room in the hotell 4 draft on London was sent 10 Dresden at once, md the decd was done
 Mir. Vanderbilt and his two fellow conspirators now get about arrang- ing a surprise for Meissonier. Tae next day was to be the last sitting for the portrait, and when they ar rived at the studio one uf them car ried parcel, which was placed in safe corner. The sitting proceeded. and at last Meissonier said the DOT trait was finished There was not another touch to be added. Now you may seq me sign. he annomc- cd, and the act was accomplished with a due observance on the part of the company of the importance of the moment.
 The artist then went into another room to put the little portrait in a frame he had ready for it. Le Renseignement' was quickly taken from the corner, set in a frame on the easel, and the three men stood by to see what Meissonier would do. When he came in and suddenly saw the picture, says MT. Avery, "he almost went crazy in his joy. He got down on his knees before Il, so that he could look at 1t closely, and cried out, Oh, mon bon tsbleau; oh. mon bon tableauN and with dif- fculty found words 10 express his delight. He loved his picture that he never expected to see again, and his heart was full