Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1900-12-07
KING AND ARTIST.
Latser's Frankness In Expreskina
Himself Before His Royal
Customer.


The most conspicuous object in thu
Swedish pavilion at the Paris exposi-
ton is splendid full-figure portrait OF
King Oscar H., painted in oil by Anders
Zorn, the artist whose work was SO
popular in this country during und
after the worlds fair. 1t has been wide
" reproduced as the latest portrait OF
the popular monarch. There is later
one by the same artist, however, and
an amusing story is told concerning 1t,
says London paper.
When the portrait which now adorns
the Swedish pavilion in Paris was fin
ished King Oscar was so pleased whit
that he sent one OF his chamberlains to
Zorn with the message that he wanted
the artist 10 go to work at once on
bust portrait of smaller size.
"Yes," answered Zorn, in his usual
shrill nasal tone, looking anything but
pleasant. "Yes, yes-all right! But
tell lis majesty that don't want to
paint him in uniform. don't want it,
and i am not going to do it. Will you
be sure to tell his majesty that?"
EYES," replied the chamberlain, with
smile, and then he returned to the
castle and told the king that Zorn was
overioyed by the honor shown him and
would be happy to begin work on the
new portrait at a stated date and hour.
The king, who possesses in fullest
measure the politeness expected OF
| princes, was more punctual at the first
sitting than the artist. When Zorn, a
little late, was ushered into the royal
presence, he discovered at once that the
king was in uniform.
"Why," he exclaimed, unhesitatingly,
in pretty much the same tone he had
used TO the chamberlain, 81 said didn't
want to paint your majesty in uni
form!"
81 heard nothing about it," declared
the king, with glance of surprise at
the indiscreet artist.
swell, well, well!" muttered Zorn,
while he put his easel in order. "But
then I'll tell your majesty something.
If l have to paint your majesty in uni.
form shall have to charge my large
price,"
"How much Is that?" inquired the
royal customer.
at is $4,000 francs, your majesty"
explained Zorn. "But If your majesty
will change clothes I'll only charge my
small price, which is 10000 francs"
WELL" unused the king, trying to
look very serious, chats a very big
sum-25,00O francs. Why, my dear
Zorn, I'll tell you what I'll dol think
l shall have TO change clothes"
The king retired to his private apart.
ments for short time, and when he
appeared again to resume the sitting
he was dressed as private citizen. The
portrait was finished in II or ~ sit
tings, for Zorn works very quickly
To keep the king entertained during
those trying hours member of his
suite, the Court Councillor Boettinger
read aloud to him out of the two vol
umes of poetry which King Oscar has
published. Every now and then the old
councillor paused as II overawed by the
beauty of the poetry-and the kings
poetry is far from bad, to say the least
| but that line is wonderful" he would
exclaim. st is indeed, line worthy
of monarch and poet!"
Don't you exaggerate little now
my dear Boettiger?" the king would
suggest. looking pleased in spite Of hi,
efforts to appear Indifferent. On ont
of these occasions the incorrigiblt
painter suddenly looked up from HI,
work.
whats that?' he broke in. "Wh,
wrote that?"
"Mr. Zorn," the councillor expostu
lated, in horror-stricken voice, "this II
his majesty's own poetry l am read
ing"
"Well, well, well! Did your majest,
really write that?" the painter re
marked, unabashed. "That is rathe
nice, must say"
Whether the old king took the re
mark as a compliment in rough form
or regarded it as the utterance of
spoiled child, he only smiled and di,
not reply.