New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-09
VERESTCHAGIN. THE GREAT RUSSIAN PAINTER.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NAN-SOME or HIS
EXPERIENCES ON A TRIP IN CENTRAL ASIA

it, Now. they were all very fond Of tea but II
was with them expensive luxury. Having finally
made friends with them, he was treated most roy
ally.
The women and children were not afraid OF
him. and every opportunity crowded around 10
hear and him, but particularly to receive his
gifts One day he upon some Kirghise win
ter cabins and entered in hopes OF finding some
topics for his sketchboOk. well place 10
rest and 10 drink his tea. The men had all gone
TO celebrate a religious feast somewhere in the
neighbOrhoOd and the women remained at home
alone Verestchagin said Of them: 1.-The Kirghise
women can be very amsble when they choose.
They came from all the cabins around 20 behold
the Russian. They were very gracious on that day.
They helped TO unload our baggage, lighted a fire,
prepared my tea-no doubt 10 furnish en- occasion
FOR tasting a drink with them. Our pres
enee soon nolsed abroad. and the men hurried
home, upbraiding for daring to foot their
premises. But distributed Jumps Of sugar among
them snd the hope or sharing my tea with me
assusged their anger. All went merry enough
long chatted and drank tea together. But
the purpose Of my journey was out Of my
mind, so 1 drew out my paper and pencil. Imme
diately my host changed countenance. What
you doing? he exclaimed. Why are you writ
ing? Stop that You writing my house.
Stop I say I won't allow it, 1t took a deal
Of patience cup OF tea after another. and some
small presents to conquer the obstinacy OF these
children Of nature. once overcome, however. they
generally watched with eagerness the outlines Of
they had no idea of perspective. Had l followed
their suggestions 1 should often have made the
men larger than their cows or their tents or even
their entire Enclosure What gave me the most
trouble was TO secure portrait. They seemed to
have a horror of having their features reproduced.
Once I succeeded I'm inducing old man to sit
down by promising him some brandy lie sat still
until some other men who were following my
work began 20 praise the resemblance. The old
man then understood that making likeness
OF him and his fright knew no bounds lie arose
at once and money wouldn't induce him TO sit
down asan. single of the group. more
courageous than the rest dared 10 let me draw his
portrait / hao scarcely mounted my horse to
depart however, when he came running after me,
taking me aside TO demand whether any misfortune
would come to him A misfortune? Why? Be
cause you have written my features
Almost everywhere with the
S hU 90 mot kna% one do nO s
reigned supreme 1t was cOmical TO note how the
,Sst h had burned her hand VERY lady and the
other knowing that had shown some fragrant
and the doctor had ordered her 10 battle them with
scag;" ,a,,vos s,ervv,bere were inclined to look
upon the artist Russian ofhcial. Indeed, what
with no definite purpose except TO sea and learn,
instead Of to s5Th hmSs t at sast
hs, he saw The sSnsg9h n snsa TSS that S
which he was gathering information. No man
wished his portrait drawn for fear he being
Inscribed for that army Once just across the Ural
Mountains, he was visiting a Russian prison. al
ways In search Of types Of human nature. The
prisoners at took him TO he official sent
inspect the prison. They pestered him with petit
tons. One complained OF his Cruel which he
compelled 90 cat without butter. Another showed
man hlin now badly worn his trousers We're, adding; Il
He often carried his provisions into town,
out always his own tea. He frequently had diff
Guilty getting the latter made however. Il admit.
ne says that I looked ~ my tea interrogatively
one oay, when ] knew that the water before N
lerins me teapot had run through the street and
dctoss dozen courts. having been used for bathing