The times., 1901-03-10
CONSTANT AND THE QUEEN.
An Artists RecOIIectiOns of Honored
Sittinss.
(From the London Telegraph.)

(From the London Telegraph.)
Paris.-M Benjamin Constant, whose
portraits of Queen Victoria and of Queen
Alexandra have been so much admired
gives to the Figaro a charming article,
in which he relates his impressions of his
visits to Windsor Castle and TO MarIbOr-
ough House. 1t was in March, 1899, hat
he had the honor of being presented to
Queen Victoria. to whom he had brought
then barely sketched, the picture which
was afterward on view at the exhibition.
AS he approached the royal borough he
had been struck by the majestic appear
ance of the palace, and by the beauty of
the landscape, which reminded him of
some of Turner's and CorOt's works.
Then. having reached the castle a little
before the appointed hour ne strOlled
about the galleries, taking delight in
glimpse at the chefs d'oeUvre of Rem
brandt, Vandyke, Reynolds and Law
renee. The deep silence which prevailed
impressed him greatly.
After this interval of waiting. the ap-
proach of Queen Victoria was announced.
Then I saw a little lady in black, with
rosy complexion, silver hair and light t,ue
eyes, enter the room leaning with one
hand on a stick and with the other on the
arm of a young Indian. a big Asiatic, of
tall stature and olive tine, whose head was
bound round with a turban of pink muslin.
The Princess of Wales and Princess Beat
rice followed the Queen. 1 was much
moved | explained as best I could my
plan for the adjuncts. with the throne Of
the House of Lords gradually disappear
ing in gilded obscurity in a Rembrandt
esque chiarOscUrO. And l then proceeded
10 take advantage of the Queens pres
ence to retouch the sketch of the head
which had been painted and to accentu-
ate the features.
Only, in spite of all the pleasure which
my work gave her and of the compliments
which she addressed to me. Her Majesty
remained hypnotized as It were. by the
ribbon Of the Order of the Garter, which
she considered too green, and, as it is blue,
this little detail concerned her a little. /
fastened to explain that the evening sun
shine, which was of the color of gold. pro-
duced this tinge on the ribbon. But the
Queen, after listening kindly, answered
with a smile, 'AlI the same, it seems to
me it is not blue enough l had, of
course to yield and soon afterward the
aged sovereign. again taking her stick
and the arm of the young Indian. returned
to her apartments, followed by the two
royal princesses.
Later on NJ Benjamin Constant saw
Queen Victoria at d garden party at Buck
ingham Palace, and was much struck by
the brilliant scene.
It was at this garden party that the
then Princess of Wales asked NJ. BenJa-
min Constant to paint her portrait. He
undertook the task with some misgiving,
as he feared that he might not do justice
TO her
Rather tall and slight and of elegant ap-
pearance. no princess ever found in her
royal cradle more beauty. more grace and
charm. And youth has remained in that
sweet face with its noble lines. its eyes
of pure and deep blue, with an almost
shy. though observant look, in which
nothing burt the expression Of generous
kindness is to be seen. When l arrived
at Marlborough House for my sittings Her
Royal Highness. must I say it, was some
times late. but as soon as heard her com
ing | thought no more Of the waiting.
When Her ROYAL Highness expressed re
gret at this | did my best to suggest some
excuse for this delay. And all this she said
with such simplicity. courtesy. and mod
esty. and in such perfect French, that
could not help thinking. "Our Queens OF
France must have spoken like this.
The princess was an excellent sitter
She thus gave me the most valuable as