The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-24
AMALIA KUSSNER SUED
QUEER PROCEEDINGS AFFECTING
THE NOTED INDIANA ARTIST.
Legal Mystery i'm the Supreme Court
of New York-Cause of Mrs. Blanche
LincoIn's suit Not known.
New o Journal.

New York Journal.
A mysterious suit has been filed in the
Supreme Court of New York against Mrs.
Charles du Pont Coudert, better known as
Amalia Kussner. the world-famous minia-
ture painter, who has just finished the por-
traits of the Car and Czarina Of Russia
and Mrs. George Gould, with a child in her
arms. The suit was brought by Mrs.
Blanche Lincoln, OF New York. The
plaintiff asks for s125, 900 damages. Mrs.
Coudert has retained Delaney Nicoll to de-
fend her. Mrs. Blanche Lincoln has re-
tanned Lawyers Howe, Grossmann &c Vor-
haus to prosecute the case. The name OF a
former admirer appears in the legal papers,
which the attorneys on both sides have
thus far failed to file. The case was set
for June 20 for trial. 1t was adjourned and
will lie tried in October-unless a compro
mise is effected. Why Mrs. Lincoln has
brought this suit against the lovely painter
Of miniatures all parties concerned refuse
TO say. A determined effort is being made
70 keep it all very quiet.
Why does Mrs. Blanche Lincoln, of New
York city. think Mrs. Amalia kussner
U0 damages-damages for what? Nobody
will answer. Mrs. Coudert, defendant, de-
clines 10 say. Mrs. Lincoln. who brings
the mysterious suit, says wait. and you
shall see" The lawyers for both sides,
say, I'VE hope the public will never know
1t is a queer sort OF a mystery of the
courts; the legal papers all locked up and
the lawyers very mysterious. Whatever
the future developments at the trial, ii is
sure to be a most interesting one. because
the defendant, known the world over, Is
such a talented and rarely interesting
young woman.
Amalia Kussner. Americas Angelica
l.. a. lou onnrf1nrn1 4hn ra0fAaf
miniature painter of the whole. world;
From painting the miniature of Cecil
Rhodes, at Kimberly, South Africa, she
was called to the court of all the Russias
to reproduce on ivory the portraits of the
Car and Czarlna.
Miss Kussner, who has the distinction of
having painted all the celebrated beauties
of Europe and America, TO say nothing OF
the most famous crowned heads Of the
world, shows in her miniature of the Gar
ina. perhaps more than in any OF her other
work. not only her genius as an artist, but
her study of the personality of her sub
jects.
It was when in St. Petersburg painting
a miniature of the Grand Duchess Vladimir
that Miss Kussner was summoned 10 the
Winter Palace to make a miniature of the
Czarina.
Miss Kussner was surprised and delighted
by the unaffected hospitality with which
she was received, and she loves to recall
the glimpse of real home life which she
discovered at the Winter Palace Of the
Gar of all the Russias.
The CZarina is more the wife and mother
and less the queen than those who see her
at affairs of state could possibly imagine.
Though very difident, her manners are
charmingly natural, and IN a way almost
girlish. She is happiest when alone with
her husband and children.
So pleased was the Czarina with the
- 1tt~lA 80 rfn q, ,f~sp fa.~A - -
the work of her brain and brush that she
not only persuaded the Car to have his
portrait painted on ivory too, but as an ex-
preston of her appreciation of Miss kuss-
ner's work she gave the young artist at
parting a bracelet of wonderful diamonds
and rare rubies.
Czarina of all the Russias was but one of
the very interesting experiences of her
eventful life.
She came determined TO succeed, though
never in her life had she taken a single
lesson in drawing or painting. What She
knew. and she knew much, she had taught
herself. In a surprisingly short time her
genius had conquered every obstacle.
Amalia Kussner. the little miniature ar
fist from the West. became not only known
but sought. She was the rage. Society
to see her work. And then thick
and fast came orders for miniatures. The
highest fashion of New York soon mono
polized her work.
Miss Kussner's first friend in New York.
in fact. her fairy godmother, was Mrs.
Theodore Havemeyer. Ii was Mrs. Have
meyer who discovered Miss Kussner and
told others OF her genius.
Ii was not only the exquisite beauty. but
the spiritual element OF the young artists
work that first appealed 10 Mrs. Have
meyer.
Miss Kussner was allowed 10 paint Mrs.
Havemeyer's portrait. After II was ex-
hibited TO society the success of the young
girl artist was assured. All the beautiful
women In New York's most exclusive So
ciety were then anxious to pose for Miss
Kussner. She painted such famous beauties
as Mrs. John Jacob Aston. Miss Atherton
Blight. Mrs. Lorillard Spencer. Mrs. Van
Rensselaer, Cruger. Mrs. Oliver Belmont.
Miss May Goelet and a long list of other
~wel-known women of fashion and beauty.
RECENT WORK.
One OF Miss Kussner's very recent
miniatures is OF Mrs. George Gould and
her child. II Is not only an exquisite bit of
art, but an excellent portrait Of Mrs. Gould.