The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10
CONSTANT AND THE QUEEN.
An Artists RecoIIections of Honored
Sittings.
(From the London Telegraph.)

| IRON 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 Marlbor-
ough House. 1t was in March, 1899. that
! 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 little
before the appointed hour, he strolled
| about the galleries, taking delight in a
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 l saw a little lady in black, with
rosy complexion, silver hair and light t,ue
eyes, enter the room. leaning with one
hand on stick and with the other on the
arm OF a young Indian, big Asiatic, of
tall stature and olive tine whose head was
bound round with turban of pink muslin
The Princess of Wales and Princess Beat
rice followed the Queen. l was much
moved / explained as best l 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 | then proceeded
to 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 1t 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 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, ''All 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 prineesses.
Later on NJ. Benjamin Constant saw
Queen Victoria at a 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 | arrived
at Marlborough House for my sittings Her
Royal Highness must l say it, was some
times late. but as soon as l heard her com /
ing | thought no more Of the waiting. /
When Her ROYAL Highness expressed re-
greet at this | did my best to suggest some I
excuse for this delay. And all this she said /
with such simplicity. courtesy. and mod
esty. and in such perfect French that l !
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