Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1897-01-20
THE ROMANCE OF A PICTURE.
Meissonier's Favorite Painting Res
cued from IA German.


cued from IA German.
William A. Coffin, in paper entitled
Souvenirs of Veteran Collector" in
the Century, describes the unique art
treasures of Mr.. Samuel z. Avery, of
New York. Mr.. Coffin relates the fol
lowing story of one of Meissionier's
most famous paintings:
The picture shows Marshal SAKE,
with a body of troops, interrogating a
peasant at a crossroads in the forest,
and taking notes. In 1880 Mr.. Will
lam III. Vanderbilt was sitting to Meis-
sonier for his portrait, and Mr.. Avery
and Mr. Lucas We're invited by the
artist to come to his studio during the
sittings, as Mr.. Vanderbilt did not
speak French. One day Mr.. Wander
bilt asked, what picture does NJ.
Meissonier think is the best he ever
paintedY" Meissonier, replying through
Mr.. Lucas, spoke of two, the celebrated
"1s14" and lie Renseignement" The
latter picture, he said, with a sigh and
a deeply felt "helas" was in Germany,
In the hands of the enemies of France
1t had been painted for the Exposi-
ton Of 1867, and was bought by M.
Petit, who asked fifty thousand francs
for 1t. Mr. Walters had offered forty
five thousand francs, but a German
banker In Paris, NJ. Mayer, paid the
price and got the picture. He was
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. Mr..
Avery had seen his gallery every time
he went to Dresden, and knew the
picture. The conversation in the stu
dio continued, and Avery and Lucas
agreed that lie Renseignement" was,
indeed, a wonderful canvas. Petit had
tried to buy it back, but could not get
1t. 1t was thought it would be impossi-
BILE to get Mayer to sell it, but Avery,
authorized by Mr.. 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 matter of business.
1t 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 certain price
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 telegraphing, 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.
Mr.. 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 Mt the
studio one of them carried a parcel,
which was placed in safe corner. The
sitting proceeded, and at last Meisson-
Ter said the portrait was finished; there
Now you may see me sign" he an
nounced, and the act was accomplish
ed 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
In a frame he had ready for it. ''I.e
Renseignement" was quickly taken
from the corner, set in a frame on the
easel, and the three men stood by 10
see what Meissonier would do. when
he same in and suddenly saw the pic
ture," says Mr.. Avery, 'he almost went
crazy in his JOY. He got down on his
knees before it so that he could look
at it closely, and cried out, oh, mou
bon tableau! Oh, mon bon tablean!
and with difficulty found words to ex-
press his delight. He loved his pic
ture that he never expected to see
again, and his heart was full"