The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-05-05
THE TWO GLORIES.

One day, as the celebrated Flemish
painter, Peter Paul Rubens, was strolling
through the cathcdrals of Madrid, accom-
panied by his pupils, he entered the church
of humble convent whose name tradition
does not mention.
The illustrious artist found little to ad
mire in the poor and dismantled ediflce.
He was about to go away, swearing at the
bad taste of the priests Of Madrid, when
be noticed u picture half hidden in the
shadow of the ugliest chapel of all. He up
preached IL and uttered an exclamation Of
surprise. His pupils surrounded him in
moment, crying, What have you found,
maGstro?'
Look" said Rubens, pointing to the
canvas before him.
The young men were as much astonished
as their master.
The painting represented the death of
monk. He was very young and still beau
tiful, despite traces Of the fasting and suf
fering he had undergone. He lay extended
on the bricks Of his cell. His eyes were
already dlmmed by death One hand held
a skull, while the other pressed to his
the background of the canvas another pic.
ture was painted. 1t was supposed to be
hanging on tho wall of the cell over the
narrow cot from which the young monk
had crept to die more humbly on the floor
The second picture depicted "A young
woman, beautiful in death, lying in her
coffin in the midst of sumptuous blac.
draperies and surrounded by funeral can.
dies.
No one could look upon those two scenes,
ono contained within the other, without
feeling that they explained and completed
each other. Unfortunate love, dead hope,
disappointed life and eternal forgetful.
ness Of the world-bchold here the mystic.
rous drama Of the canvas. Moreover, the
color, the drawing, the composition, all
revealed genius of the first order.
Maestro, who can he the author of this
magnificent painting" asked Rubens'
| pupils, crowding about the picture
"A name was painted in this corner;
but, you see, 1t has been effaced. As to the
painting, it is not more than 80 OF less
thnn 20 years old"
But the artist2" they clamOred
THE artist, according to the merit Of
the work, might lie NclUsquea, Xuharan,
Ribera or even the young Murillu him
self Velasquez has not SO much feeling
MS this shows. Neither is 1t a work CT Zu
baran's, il l judge rightly tho coloring
and the mannor of treating the subject
| Still less can 1t be attributed to Murillo or
Ribera Their style is lighter, while this
is more somber. This picture belongs
neither to one school nor to tho other
Frankly do not recognize the author Of
this painting and l could swear that J
had never seen any other works of hts.
Further, believe that tho artist, perhaps
already dGud, who has given such Il won
der to the world did not belong to any
school, nor has ho ever painted any other
picture besides this He could not paint
another that would approach it in merit.
This is a work of pure inspiration, u re-
Election Of his own soul, piece Of his life.
But-do you want to know who painted
that. -eisturAY Qhe dead man hnfare YOU
"Ehl Maestro, you are jcsting."
NO know what am saying" an.
swered Ruhens.
But how Gun you conceive Of dead
man painting his own death agony"
By conceyng that n living being could
divine or represent his death Moreover,
|
religious orders one must Lu dead to the
world.
'Ah, do you believe that"
Il believe that the woman whose form
is painted on the background Of this pic
ture WAS the soul and Lie Of that man dy.
ing On the floor believe that when she
died he also considered hin self dead 10
the world. | believe finally that this paint.
ing, instead Of representing the last mo.
InCnts of its hero ard author, who are I'M.
doubtedly one person, represents the re'
nuuciutiOn Of u youth disilusiUNcd as to
earthly joys"
go you think That he still livcs?"
Yes, senior, ho mgy he alive, and with
the lapse ol years perhaps his spirit las be-
come serene and Joyful, and the unknown
artist may be very fat and jolly old man.
Nevertheless we must look for him We
must find out whether he has painted 9th
er pictures Follow me.
AS ho spoke Ruhcn3 walked toward u
priest who was praying in another chapel
and asked, with his usual freedom Of man.
ner
"WiN you be kind enough to tell the
padre prior that wish 10 speak with him
by the kings UrdcFsy"
Tho priest, who WIS an elderly man,
arose from his kne45 with difficulty and
answered IN - humble and feeble voice:
What 40 you wish with meY / nm the
prior"
Pardon, father, for intGrruIting your
prayers, replied Rubens. Can you tell
nc who Is the author Of this painting?"
"Of that painting" exclaimed the
monk. What would you think Of me if !
should tell you that do not rgmcmbCrf"
What You knew and you lave forgot.
temp"
Yes, son, I have forgotten"
"Thon, padre, said RubcHs insOlrntly,
'lwould not givomuch turyuur memory"
The prior paying no attention to the
painter, again knclt on the ground
81 come in thol;ing suaueI' thundcred
the hHughty Fleming.
What further do you wish, hTCthCr?"
murmurcd the priest slowly raising his
| head
II wish to buy that painting
Tile painting is not for sale"
"Well then, where can find the artist
His ma iesty would like to know him, and
l must embrace him, congratulate him,
show my admiration and my affection for
him."
Your wishes cannot be realized. The
artist is no longer in the wC,ld.
" He is dend'' exclaimed RuEcns, in
dcsgVraS!on.
1.-THE maestro spoke wisely, " said ono Of
LNOR SALE CIlrAp If so,d aeon. CON.
l. ptete outt!i for the tnrrotypc BUSINESS
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