The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-01
a SPLENDID PORTRAIT.
magnificent Painting on Exhibition at Miller
& Rhoads'.

Beginning this morning at o'clock, Mil
Ter & Rhoads will have on view at their
department store Hubert c. DeIorme's
salon picture, 1.-THE Blacksmith, a paint
ing that has taken rank with the master
pieces Of the world and brought the ar
fist fame equal to that OF Rembrandt or
NIiIlet. The pleasant way Messrs. Miller
& ,Rhoads have of entertaining their pat
rons was never more aptly displayed
than when they secured the portrait I'M
der a contract that it should not be ex-
hibited anywhere else in the city nor In
the South The painting is exhibited as
a work of art, which it certainly is, and
not as an advertisement. When the pub
lie gazes upon the noble picture of the
old foreemaster they do SO as the guests
Of the genial proprietors.
The painting is the property OF MIR. f.
E. Galbraith, of Toronto, Canada, an ar
tist himself, and a great deyotee Of the
brush work of Delorme- He secured tn
painting through a coup, and since it
became his property the critics have come
to recognize Delorme as a master. and
the value of the work has Increased TO
the fabulous sum of SJO,OOO-in fact, MI
GaIbraith has refused even a larger sum
offered him recently. Delorrne is deao,
md as he finished few canvassers que
ing his life, the rareness OF his paintings
is another incentive to the yaluo OF ne
Blacksmith.
Tt is said that Delorme was over lolts
vears gathering the details Of the pic
t,,ra and when at last he took UP brush
and na1let to catch his vision upon can
+bal fie1rre Of the man stands out, every
that not a detail can be found lacklns:
.urhe blacksmith as the title implies
is +he interior of a Normandy smltiy.
Before the forge stands a forge master,
man of Drawn and bone. about nifty
years Of age, watching for the ARRIVAL OIL
the moment when a stick OF IRON, ne mas
blown to q white heat in the charcoai
fire, is at the proper neat 10 oe ioi7
into some form
The article has gone into the most min
ute details of the snithy's surroundings.
even to the small scales of burnt iron
that crumbe off as the might of the
man ,plays with a. hammer upon the met
al. But the absolute relief with which
the figure of the an stands out, every
muscle, the very flesh upon his honest
arms and chest seemingly ready to re-
spond to his will. lures the critic to pro-
claim the pictures praise in ecstacy.
They are perfect. The feeling gains upon
the spectator that he is going to meet
the smith in life. You expect to see him
move. and if not cautious you find your
49,
it expand and retract, as If breathing in
life.
Another effect in the painting, a trick
Of the brush. blended with the artists
talent. is the manner in which the shades
of light are brought upon the interior Of
the shop particularly upon the smith.
There are three distinct Iights-sunlight,
cold daylight and irelight-yet in none
has the artist allowed the diffusion of
the other lights to cast a strange glow
or light The combination of natural and
artificial light upon the back and face OF
the old man as the fire CLOVIS strong
against the cold light that CLEANS
through the window upon the figure Is
marvellous a most skillful study. attract
ing the spectator closer to the picture, SO
!! curious is he to unravel the mystery Of
the artists sense of touch. The lifelike-
ness OF sNana" is Familiarity known in
this city, and no greater praise. to give
the public an idea of what the charm OF
..The Blacksmith" is, can be said than
that the Delorme portrait far surpasses
|s..Nana.,' with :. Mana. ! so it is with
st.The Blacksmith H.. You wait. lean upon
tho rail and expect to soon see the figure
move.
The portrait IS being exhibited on the
third door OF the building It is artisti-