The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-30
DRESDEN ART AND ROYALTY.
A Call on Hoffman. the Painter of
Sacred Subjects.

At breakfast. Madam suggested We
would take a ride and then go to call on
Hoffman the artist. He is always at
home on Sundays at his studio from II
to l. He is the greatest living painter Of
sacred things His Christ in the Tenn
rle" is wonderful. 1t hangs in the gallery
here. and others OF his paintings are in his
studio. We went to the American Church
and heard a very prosy sermon on
George Washington and after service
we went to see a wonderful piece Of en-
brodery done by Fraulein Kipberger. II
was all done UP to send to the Paris Ex-
position but she had it set up to show US.
1t is an exact copy of the ''Sstine Madon-
ma" Of Raphael. which is the great picture
here as You know. It is done in silks on
linen-the long Kensington stitches-and
it is the most marvellous piece Of work
/ have ever seen, IL is SO exact a copy.
II tool, her seven years to make il as she
could only work at it a little at a time.
She was not allowed to copy it from the
picture and she had a small photograph
from which she drew the design enlarg
ing it to the required size, and to get the
color she would go to the gallery and
examine closely small portion, carrying
the color in her eye alone The King of
Saxony. who is a connoisseur in art. pro-
nounced it the truest copy Of his pic
ture." They exhibit it in Paris and then
want to take it to America and will sell it
if they get their price. 10 coo marks.
One can be very economical in music
here l have been TO the opera twice this
week. once it cost 50 cents and another 70.
and at a song recital by Lii Lehman the
tickets were so cents and a dollar. One
night we heard Fra DiavolO' and another
night Joseph in Egypt" mostly men sing
ers. 1t was beautifully mounted and finely
sung and acted. and We came away feel
ing almost as II we had been to church,
the music is so full of sacredness and so
simple and melodious Quite vivid con-
trast to the music of the present day.
One night l went TO the grand charity
ball. II was frightfully crowded. but we
went early and took up our position quite
close to the platform Of the royal party,
where we saw them all close enough to
have spoken. We were right in with the
court ladies and had a very good view OF
the Jewels and clothes the former were
magnificent 1t seemed almost like play
or puppet show. At o'clock trumpet
sounded the approach of the King and
Queen. the doors at the back Of the plat
form we're thrown open and their majesties
appeared followed by members Of the
royal family and some ladies in waiting.
! The Schloss Intendant came TO the front,
| and in eloquent German. called for cheers
! for the King. whereupon three times a
| ringing "Hoch," came from the cgowd. The
orchestra played THE Watch on the
| Rhine" and then the ball was considered
opened The old King came down and
| spoke TO the ladies and gentlemen Of the
| court and then TO the singers and ac-
| tresses. Mrs Queen followed, not doing
quite so much The Kings brother Prince
| George. and the young Princess did the
| same and then all retired TO the platform,
where thet suppers were handed to tEsn
by the court fiunkeys and then they de-
parted. We left them to enjoy their meal.
| and We went out TO our supper. Mrs. VI
| paving for it. as the men here never thlnh
| of doing such things. We went back to the
| ballroom for awhile. 1t was really very
beautiful affair. and l am glad that went
! IL only TO have seen the jewels they were
| so mRgnificent-emerads rubies, dla-
monds in tiaras. necklaces, and various or
naments. The Queens tiara could not
compare with those worn by some oil the
| ladies Of the court but the other gems
were superb Her gown was gray SILK
| and white lace She Is not beauty nut
| has a kindly German face