Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-14
Alexandria 6asette.
THrRsDA EVENING, JAN. ID * I
ROMANCE OF A PICTURE.
SIeissonier's Favorite Painting Rescued
From a German.


From a German.
William A. Coffin in paper en-
titled Souvenirs of Veteran Col
Iector" in The Century describes
the unique art treasures of Mr.. Sam
uel P. Avery of New York. Mr..
Coffin relates the following story of
one of Meissonier's most famous
paintings:
The picture shows Marshal SAKE,
with body of troops, interrogat-
ing peasant at a crossroads in the
forest and taking notes. In 1880
Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt was sit
ting to NLeissonier for his portrait,
and Mr.. Avery and Mr.. Lucas were
invited by the artist to come to his
studio during the sittings, as Mr..
Vanderbilt did not speak French.
One day Mr.. Vanderbilt asked,
What picture does M. Meissonicr
think is the best he ever painted ~
MISSIONER, replying through Mr..
Lucas, spoke of two, the celebrated
"1S14" and lie Renseignement.
The latter picture, he said, with
sigh and a deeply felt 'helas, was
in Germany, in the hands of the
enemies of France.
1t had been painted for the expo
sition of 1867 and was bought by
NJ. Petit, who asked $4,000 francs
for it. Mr.. Walters had offered 40
600 francs, but German banker in
Paris, NJ. Mayer, paid the price and
got the picture. He was a we'll
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 gal.
lery every time he went to Dresden,
and knew the picture.
The conversation in the studio
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 it. 1t was thought it
would be impossible to get Mayer to
sell it, but Avery, authorized by
Mr.. Vanderbilt, resolved to try. He
did not wish to make trip to Dres
den at the time, SO he wrote to
Mayer that friend of his wanted
the picture, but not as a matter of
business. 1t was not to buy to sell
again. The banker replied that he
had often been importuned to 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 a certain
price for it. He added that he might
change his mind overnight, for he
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 III
the hotel! A draft on London was
sent to Dresden at once, and the
deed was done.
Mr.. Vanderbilt and his two fellow
conspirators now set about arrang-.
ing a surprise for MISSIONER. Tho
next day was to be, the last sitting
for-the portrait, and when they ar
rived at the studio one of them car
ried parcel, which was placed in
safe corner The sitting proceeded,
and at last Mcissonier said the por-
trait was finished. There was not
another touch to be added. Now:
you may see me sign, he announc-.
ed, and the act was accomplished
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
frame he had ready for it lie
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 Mr.. Avery,
"he almost went crazy in his JOY.
he got down on his knees before 1t,
so that he could look at it closely,
and cried out, oh, mon bon tableau;
oh, mon bon tableaul' and with diff
fculty found words to express his
delight He loved his picture that
he never expected to see again, and
his heart was full.
In the Same Boat.
A student at Williamstown college