The St. Johns herald., 1897-02-06
THE ROMANCE OF A PICTURE.
Meissonier's Favorite Painting Rcs-
 cued from a German.

William A. Coffin, in paper entitled "Souvenirs of a Veteran Collector" il the Century, describes the unique ar treasures of Mir. Samuel F. Avery, o1 New York. MT. Coffin relates the fol lowing story of one of Meissionier': most famous paintings:
 The picture shows Marshal Sake with a body of troops, interrogating | 1 peasant at a crossroads in the forest and taking notes. In 1880 Mr. Will fam H. Vanderbilt was sitting to Meis sonier for his portrait, and Mr. Avery and MT. Lucas were invited by the artist to come to his studio during the sittings, as Mir. Vanderbilt did not speak French. One day Mir. Wander bilt asked, What picture does M Meissonier think is the best he ever painted?" Meissonier, replying through MT. Lucas, spoke of two, the celebrated "1S14" and 'Le Renseignement." The latter picture, he said, with a sigh and a deeply felt ''helasw was in Germany. in the hands of the enemies of France
 It had been painted for the Exposi- tion of 1867, and was bought by NJ. Petit, who asked fifty thousand francs for it. MT. Walters had offered forty five thousand francs, but a German banker in Paris, NJ. Mayer, paid the price and got the picture. He was a well-known collector, and his family home vgsasf 1T 6iassden. When the war i .Qf 1879 brOk4oS-e aN Mayer left Paris, and ltGqk the picture with him. MT. Avery had seen his gallery every time 1 he went to Dresden, and knew the picture. The conversation in the stu diO co2tfnued. snd Avery and Lucas ! agreed tn1A GA A&2seig neAeDt was, indeed, a wonderful canvas. Petit had tried to buy 1t back, but could not get 1t. It was thought it would be impossi- ble to get Mayer to sell 1t, but Avery, authorized by MT. Vanderbilt, resolved to try. He did not wish to make trip to Dresden at the time, so he wrote to 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 been often importuned to sell the picture, but had Invariably refused; yet, now that he felt himself growing old Che had then reached the age of S0), and that as after his death his family might not care to keep 1t, he would take a certain price l for 1t. He added that he might change his mind over night, for he found It hard to decide to sell. Avery lost no time in telegraphirg, and the next day received the canvas by parcels post; the marvellous picture was actually In his room in the hotel! A draft on Lon | don was sent to Dresden at once, and the deed was done.
 Mir. Vanderbilt and his two fellow cOnspirators now set about arranging a surprise for Meissonier The next day was to be the last sitting for the portrait, and when they arrived at the studio one of them carried a parcel, which was placed in a safe corner. The sitting proceeded, and at last Nelson fer said the portrait was finished; there was not another touch to be added. "Now you may see me sign," he an- nounced, and the act was accomplish cd with 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 .4 s. 1Ll4-.-. -.s> nSt- i~-.Dy -e- .-- ..a RensGignement" was quickly taken from the corner, set In Q frame on tue easel. and the three men stood by 10 see what Meissonier would do. "When | he same in and suddenly saw the pie ture," says MT. Avery, ''he almost went crazy in his joy. He got down on his knees before it so that he could look at 1t closely, and cried out, Oh, mon bon tableau! Oh, mon bon tableau! and with difficulty found words to ex- presG his delight. He loved his pie ture that he never expected to see again, and his heart was full"