River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-11-29
KING AND ARTIST.
Lsttsr'a Frankness in Expfessins
Himself Before His Royal
Cuafomer

The most conspicuous object in the
Swedish pavilion at the Paris EXPOSE
tion is a splendid full-fgure portrait of
King Oscar H., painted in oil by Anders
Zorn, the artist whose work was so
popular in this country during and
after the worlds fair. 1t has been wide
iy reproduced as the latest portrait of
the popular monarch. There is a later
one by the same artist, however, and
an amusing story is told concerning il,
says London paper.
When the portrait which now adorns
the Swedish pavilion in Paris was fin
ished King Oscar was so pleased with il
that he sent one of his chamberlains to
Zorn with the message that he wanted
the artist 10 go 10 work at once on a
bust portrait of smaller size.
yes" answered Zorn, in his usual
shrill nasal tone. looking anything but
pleasant. "Yes, yes-all right But
tell his majesty that l don't want to
paint him in uniform / don't want ii,
and am not going to do il. win you
be sure to tell his majesty that?"
YES" replied the chamberlain, with
a smile, and then he returned TO the
castle and told the king that Zorn was
oyerjoyed 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, II said didn't
want TO paint your majesty in uni-
formi"
Il heard nothing about it" declared
the king, with a glance of surprise at
the indisoreet artist.
well, well. Welt" 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 l shall have to charge my large
price,
"How much IS that?" inquired the
royal customer.
1T 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, that's a very big
sum-25,o00 francs. Why, my dear
Zorn, I'll tell you what I'll dol think
/ shall have TO change clothes"
The king retired to his private apart
ments for a short time, and when he
appeared again to resume the sitting
he was dressed as private citizen. The
portrait was finished in IL or 10 sit
tings, for Zorn works very quickly.
To keep the king entertained during
those trying hours a 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 if 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. at 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 his
efforts to appear Indifferent. On one
of these occasions the incorrigble
painter suddenly looked up from his
work.
whats that?" he broke in. "Who
wrote that?"
"Mr. Zorn," the councillor eNpostu-
lated, in horror-stricken voice, this is
his majesty's own poetry l am read
ing"
well. well, welll Did your majesty
really write that?' the painter re-
marked, unabashed. "That is rather
nice, / must say"
Whether the old king took the re-
mark as compliment in a rough form
or regarded il as the utterance of a
spoiled child, he only smiled and did
not reply.