The San Francisco call., 1899-12-05

master, the great Rubens. on his impOr-
tant commissions. and at 10 was made
a full-fiedged member Of the Guild Of st.
Luke, the great society for the encour-
agement Of the fine arts In Flanders Ma
ture is sometimes very lavish In bestOw-
ing on her favorites nearly all the gifts
she has to offer, and Van Dyck came IN
for her special providing. The troubles
that come TO the average painter were
never his. He was born OF prosperous
parents and was one OF twelve children
of a successful merchant in silks ard
woolens IN Antwerp. He came into -he
world on March 22, 1899 The worthy
burgher, his father. saw very soon that
he had a remarkable son, and he took all
possible pains TO have him properly edu-
Gated. His mother. too. was OF most
artistic temperament and gave strict at,
tention 10 the training Of the lad. Ga-
fortunately, however, she died when he
was only years OF age, and thereafter
his father had charge OF him. He was
sent to the studio Of a historical painter
draughtsman. with some experience IN
color and with this man, Hendrix Van
Balen ne remained for five years.
1t is hardly necessary to say that he
surpassed all the other students imme
diately; when he was between Is and 10
years of age his work attracted the az
tention OF Rubens, who was then the
great painter of his epoch, as he remains
to-day one of the greatest OF all time, and
he entered his studio. Here again he took
first place, and how he progressed the
following anecdote will perhaps show:
Rubens was In the habit each day. after
his mornings work was done. of taking
long ride in the country, and while he
was away the key TO his studio was in
trusted 10 an old keeper The students.
desirous OF seeing the masters work in
an incompleted state that they might
study his methods. occasionally prevailed
upon the custodian TO let them in during
the absence of Rubens. On one occa-
sion several Of them were thus surrep-
titiously permitted TO enter and among
the party was young Van Dyck. Some
skylarking ensued, and by accident one
of the students brushed against a newly
painted canvas on which the colors were
still wet. The action completely wiped
away the throat and chin of the figure.
Everybody was aghast. for II meant that
their escapade would be discovered. 10
say nothing OF the masters anger when
he should see his work destroyed. In
despair one OF the pupils suggested that
as there were still some hours OF day
light left they should endeavor 10 repair
damages. and he named Van Dyck as the
one to undertake the job. BY night An
thony had restored the canvas to its
original condition, and so faithfully had
he done his work that when Rubens re-
turned he remarked that he had not re-
allied how well he had painted the throat
and chin. Later however. he discovered
the cheat, but he was so delighted with
the dexterity of the young man that he
forgave the rest and paid even greater at
tention than ever to his remarkable pupil.
The admission of Van Dyck, before he
was 10. into the Guild OF St Luke was
unprecedented. He at once branched out
for himself, painting portraits and taking
now and then religious commission. One
Of his pictures about this time Is Christ
Bearing the Cross" which may be seen In
the Church of the Dominicans at
Antwerp. Again he was called upon
to assist Rubens in some of his
decorations for church work, and
through his master he met the distin-
guished patron of the fine arts. an Eng
lishman, the Earl of Arundel. by whom IL
is supposed he was induced soon to make
a trip to London. although he was urged
by his master to go to Italy for a course
of study Of the masters there The Eng
lish visit was of short duration, and he
soon started for home. after painting pos
sibly portrait OF the King. although this
is by no means certain. However. he
went away and stopped at the invitation
Of Frederick OF Nassau, Prince of Orange
in Holland. On one occasion at Haarlem
he dropped In to see Franz Halls. announc-
ing himself as a wealthy patron OF the
arts. AS usual. Halls was at the tavern.
but he returned post haste on hearing of a
distinguished visitor. Van Dyck repre-
sented that he had only two hours to
spare and asked to have his portrait
painted. This was done by the great
Dutchman in his most approved manner
Then. Van Dyck proposed that he should
try the work. To this Halls wonderingly
consented, and was amazed to see fhe
stranger handle his materials in so mas
terly. manner. for the alleged painter
did the work even more rapidly than had
the Dutchman,. must either be the devil
or Van Dyckr'
The illness Of the artists father re-