The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-26
MOST VALUABLE
PAINTING HERE.
Mr., Charles {. BeIyin Has One Of
Drawers Originals,
PAINTED BY ARTIST IN PRISON.
Represents Soldiers BrawlIng Over u
Game ofCards, and il Described in
the Various Encyclopedias of
All Countries.

Artists. students and antQuarians gem
orally will De- pleased 20 know that
painting by one OF the famous artists of
Europe Zoo the seventeenth century has
been discovered and Us in the possession
OF well known gentleman Of Richmond
who is scholar and antiquarian him
self.
Some time ago Mr. Charles T.. Belvin
of 80 POO south Third street while travel
ling came across the painting in am out
0f-thc-way place I'm New York. He at
once recognized I'm il the work of
master hand. and il did not take him long
10 have it safely slowed away at his
cosy Third street residence.
THE OLD PAINTING.
The picture represents three soldiers
quarrcliug around Il rude table. upon
which are a number of cards indicating
that a. game had been interrupted. one
of the soldiers has stone jug raised
above Dis head in tho act of striking his
companion while the third stands I'm a
half-drunken condition ON the opposite
side of the table.
ON the ground near the table IS a large
stone jug. To the right is % chair. and
I'm the left foreground am old barrel with
"a broom leaning against IT, I'm the left
background the figure of a fourth person
o. ail appearances is n prison The pris-
oncr is am interested spectator of the
brawl that Is going on between the three
at the table
The work is that of "A master While
age has dimmed it, under glass the
splondidly-executed features are clearly
seen. The picture is on a panel 10 Is by
10 81 inches with a gilt frame % ~ by
70 3D. The frame bears the stamp of
great age The design is quite antique
and 10 has been broken in various places
and patched nap with great care.
While there is no dOult OF the identity
Of the picture the frame may be- OF more
modern date.
ON tho back Of the painting ON the
panel are the words "Brauwer Adrian.
$685. in very clear characters.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Adrian Brauwer. or Brow -, whose sig
nature is written on the 'WWre owned
by Mr. Belvin is referred e In an the
encyclopedias THE Penny CyclOpaedia."
a most reliable English publication. pub
lishod by Charles Knight. az London. in
1874 gives a splendid account Of the art
ist. 1.-THE Encyclopedia Americana
edited by Francis Lolher and f. Wiggies-
worth and printed hy Carey q Lea. IN
philadelphia in 1890. "a Biographical and
Critical Dictionary of Painters and Enc
gravcrs from tho Revival OK the Art Uu-
der Cimahue. 90 the Present Time with
Ciphers MoroErams and Marks Used hy
Each Enaravor. hy Michael Bryan and
George Stanley. printed in London Don 1888
hr d. q. Bonn and academic dies
Sciences or DIES Arts. Par Isaac BuIiart
Chera'ier de- lOrde d. Saint Michael
printed at Amsterdam by Daniel E.zevIcf
In 1852. olch contain exhaustive accounts
0f tho painter and his works and tho
Very picture thar Mr.. BeVin now has is
mentioned. The following account is
compiled from the various publications
referred to. each one of which yrrides
the statements made by The others
ADRlEN BRAUWER.
This extraordinary artist was born I'm
IIaerIem iu 1905 Ills parents were ex-
tremely poor. and bis mother supported
beer family ly selling to the country
people ..rrle works of embroidery. done
from patterns designed log h-r son.
Francis Halls am eminent artist at Ilaer-
Jean. passing by her home. perceived The |
young BrauWer drawing there tr1ng !
objects with facility and taste that /
induced him 10 ask fhe boy If Dee was de- |
sIrous of becoming painter. ON being |
answered in the Affirmative DO was /
agreed. with his mothers appreciation. |
tla- he should become his scholar
Tho genius of BrauWer was NOT long I'm |
developing ITSELF and he $50 FAR surpassed /
Dis fellow pupils that Halls separated /
him from his companions. and kept him /
closely employed in painting small pic /
lures which were much admired. and /
readily sold Dog Halls for large prices
The sordid disposition of the MASTER /
instead of encouraging and recompensing /
as Dee taught he young painter from
whose ingenious productions he derived
much advantage, treated him with u-
creased severity. and entirely secluded
him from society. lest he should become
acquainted with the yaQiue of his talents
ana leave him.
MAKES HIS ESCAPE
Adrian Won Ostade who was also
scholar of Halls at that time found an
opportunity OF advising Brauwer 10 os-
cape from the tyranny and injustice of
his master. which he soon after effected.
and took refuge ar Amsterdam.
I'm few days he painted picture
of some Doors tor peasants) fighting
which he gave 10 the master OF the
mn. whore be- lodged. requesting him 20
'ndeavor 10 dispose of In for him The
host returned In a short time and pre-
'ented the young painter with "a hundred
lucdls ne hdd received Tor me picture |
The establishment OF Brauwer was ex-
RENE: with difficulty h. could persuade
himself ~ was not q dream
Instead Of producing in him the effect
hat might have been expected of stimu-
aung him 20 an industrious exertion Of
hose abilities that promised him both
ortune and reputation. II unfortunately
furnished him with the means Of in
ulging his natural propensity for prodi-
'ality and intemDerance.
He took leave Of his host. who saw
10 more OF him for ten days. and on
eing questioned upon his return con-
erning his money he cheerfully replied
Thank Heaven, I am disencumbered |
I IL. ana / feel myself more at liberty"
IMPRISONED AT ANTWERP.
His life was a continued series Of most
adventures. Being DESTROYS Of
isiting Antwerp. where his works were
lready known and admired. particularly
y Rubeus he set out for that city at a
me when the States General We're az
.ar with Spain. and not having taken ,
he precaution Of providing himself with /
passport he was taken I'm custody as I
spy and sent "a prisoner 10 the citadel.
here The Duke of Arenberg was then
onfned. I'm vain Brauwer assured the
oyernor that he was no spy. but >
linter. ,
At length the Duke interfered I'm his .
ahalf and caused him 10 be furnished | /,
18th tools and cOlOrs that he might !