New-York tribune., 1899-06-11

/ secrated. and a statue to the memory OF The
painter has been unveiled An exhibition ~ all
/ the paintings Of GOya existing in Madrid has
! appropriately been organized. And there have
been receptions at the Academy Of Fine Arts
the Museum Of Modern Art. and the annual Fine
Art Exhibition lately opened. On June . the
knights Of the order of Santiago the military
order Of which Velazquez a member cele-
brated a requiem service in his memory, the
musical accompaniment having been drawn from
the works Of the Spanish composers OF the six
teenth century. At the theatres and academies
performances and conferences fitting to the
occasion have taken place. The government
has. Of course, had much to do with all this.
organizing some Of the observances of the paint
er's tercentenary. and taking cognizance OF all
the others. 1t is an interesting fact that in
thus honoring their great painter the Spanish
officials and people really come in closer contact
with the outside world than they come In
any other way. The least practical of nations
justiies it's repute such by placing before the
world to-day one Uf its greatest men a mere
artist Yet VelazlueZ this mere artist. H. The
Spanish force most potent outside the limits Ot
the peninsula. He is the painter whom all
the painters reverence and whom hundreds Ot
them emulate The Spaniards are often charged
with a belated med9vasm. Veazquez. work
ing three centuries ago, is nevertheless modern
Of the moderns. He lived and died a courtier
of Spain. In his art he is a citizen OF the world.
Coming up TO Madrid unknown young man.
but with good introductons, he was fortunate
enough to win the liking of the King and OF
the Kings favorite and Minister. Olivarez. lie
painted the favorite once. twice. perhaps three
times OF Philip he made at least forty por-
decline. The first Of these royal portraits has
long since disappeared. but it is known to have
secured him the appointment as court painter
which he coveted This was the beginning. not
only CT the labors which are represented in the
great collection at Madrid-the chief collection
Of the works of Veazquez to be found anywhere
in the world-but of a personal friendship be-
tween the King and his servant which remained
unbroken TO the end. NeaZquez was sometimes
hard put to 1t to extOrt from the treasury the
monetary rewards due 10 him. and ultimately
he lost his life through his official position at
court. He a kind of chamberlain, upon
whom it devolved to arrange many of the royal
fetes. and in his sxty-frst year journey to
San Sebastian on business of this sort exhausted
him that he died soon after. He was taken
with fever on his return to Madrid and expired
there on August Z. 1860 But il Il now seems
extraordinary that the King should have en-
ployed his painter on matters so unworthy
Of his genius. it must be remembered that
VelaZquez himself. in accordance with the spirit
Of his time. only regarded 1t an honor he
knew that he had the love and respect of his
master. 1t was Philip who set an example TO
kings by picking up the brush that the artist
accidentally dropped one day in his studio, and
with what eyes he saw the masterpieces that
were produced In that room may be Judged By
the following anecdote At the time Velazquez
was putting the finishing touches to the fun
length portrait of Admiral Pulido Pareja which
IS now In the National Gallery at London, the
Admiral was ordered OFF to duty The King, as
he entered the studio that day was confronted
by the portrait. He Indignantly addressed II as
though the Admiral were standing before him.
! and asked why PareJa had not gone to his ship
as ordered Philip IV praying by the body Of