The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-28

An American Art student In Berlin who Beao
an Entertainer NJ His own Game.

an f.ntert0lner NJ htls own Osnnle.
1T is probable that the young American wh0
entertained q Berlin audience unexpectedly one
evening half a dozen years ago may have ses up
a studio OF his own somewhere in this country.
and II he has I'll guarantee that he entcrtains
we'll. i" said an artist at the Lotos Club one night
last week. IL was in Berlin doing n little paint
ing at the time and | fell in with n little colony
Of Americans who made my stay very pleasant
w dropped in 10 see n variety show one even
ing at the Reichs Hallen. The star performer
was a iGhtninS-sketch artist, who figured ON
the bill Ms Professor" He was u tall, long
haired man. with arms that reached almost to
his knees. A large easel held his canvases. and
the rapidity with which he worked greatly
pleased his audience. Ills arms worked like Q
windmill, and as he swung them the paint few
OF his brush in a steady stream. The result ON
the canvas didn't resemble anything until, with Q
quick spit-spat of the brush, he put u touch here
and n touch there, and behold, a picture. The
picture wasn't a work Of art. to be sure, but
then the spectators were by no means critical.
As the Professors arms few around and his
brush whacked the canvas. turning out new
pictures in less than half a minute, the enthusi.
assn increased. The Professor sat down to rest.
A woll-drcssed young man, very evidently an
American, called out in very shaky German:
"'oh, Professor, you are slow and your pio-
"'CoIne up and try ono yourself, IL you think
So replied the Professor snecringly.
All right. saih lac Young man, and while
the rest OF the spectators were shouting and
laughing at the invitation he climbed mp on the
stage and took possession OF the Professors
pants and easel.
1T was apparent that he knew something
about painting from the ease with which no
handled his brush. After TWO or three prclim-
mary motions to Timber up his arms he turned
,nt bowed 10" 20 the audience III i.c Professor'e
best manner. The caricaturn was appreciated
aud a terrific howl greeted him. Turn
ing 10 the canvas lie swunE his paint
brush at - rate that made the Professors
previous efforts seem slow by contrast, He
seemed 10 bc in u frenzy, and tl.c eyes OF the
stOlid Germans in the theatre huiged out with
nstonishncnt. They forgot 10 d. ink their beer,
In lets tluH a minute the American turned and
bowed again 10 The spectators 10 imply that his
picture Was completed, and he awaited their de-
tisOii. As hu Stood aside and the canvas on
which hc lad been working was exposed there
was ? fence tor a moment, and then came a storm
OF jrcrs. in which even the Professor Joined. The
CANVAS was merely II blotCh. Not even the wild
cst Imagination could trace any suggestion OF Q
picture on II.
"Thc American looked panied 1T his greeting.
and then turned toward his canvas. A surprised
expression came over his face. That couldn't be
his picture. The spectators were still jcerinR
sprang 10 tho easel and turned the canra3 bot
tom side up. The ieers were charged 10 cheers.
The canvas now bore an excellent landscape
with 40 detail left out. There we're. trees. q
ground several COWS. Ii had been painted
%coarsoly, but H. was. effective, and FAR gu.
perior 10 anything that The Professor had
turned out. Will" the spectators were laugh.
Ing at the young Americans ready Wit, he
sprang OFF the stage and, accompanied by several
friends, lott the hall. ! learned: that he was
time in, practical Jokes, than AZ tho art schools.
He had fairy beaten the professor AT his own
game, however, and there were no more uGnk
ming sketches that evening""