The Winslow mail., 1897-03-06
THE ROMANCE OF A PICTURE.
Meissonier's Favorite Painting Res

| w ll1am A. COIuu, Ill paper eQtlCIeQ
Souvenirs of a Veteran Collector" in
the Century, describes the unique art
treasures of Mr. Samuel P. 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 body of troops, interrogating q
peasant at a crossroads in the forest,
and taking notes. In 1880 Mr. Will
lam H. Vanderbilt was sitting to Meis-
sonier 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.. Wander
bilt asked, "What picture does NJ.
Meissonier think is the best he ever
painted?" Meissonier, replying through
Mr.. Lucas, spoke of two, the celebrated
"1s14" and lie Renseignement" The
latter picture, he said, with a sigh and
deeply felt ''helasv' 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 it. Mr.. Walters had offered forty
| five thousand francs, but a German
banker in Paris, M. 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, M. 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 "Le Renseignement" was,
indeed, a wonderful canvas Petit had
tried to buy it back, but could not get
it. 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 a trip
| to Dresden at the time, so he wrote TO
Mayer that friend of his wanted the
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 8O, and that as after
his death his family might not care to
keep it, he would take n certain price
for it. He added that he might change
his mind over night, for he found 1t
hard to decide to sell. Avery lost no
time in telegraphingr 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
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 a safe corner. The
sitting proceeded, and at last Nelson
Ter 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
ed with a due observance on the part
Of the company of the Importance Of
the moment. The artist then went into
ai0ther room to put the little portrait
in frame he had ready for it. 'Te
RensVignement" was quickly taken
from the corner, set in 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,D 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, mon
bon sableau! Oh, mon bon tableau!
and with difficulty found words to ex-
presE his delight. He loved his pic
ture that he never expected to see
again, and his heart was full"