Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1903-07-29
CAREER OF A PICTURE.
WorId-Famous "Rock of Ages"-The
Painter Lives in Virginia.

FdIbbCI SISSS ii WI
In countless homes adorned by the
worldfamous picture, the Rock OF
Ages" it would be matter of sur.
prise to learn that the artist, the Rev.
Johannes A. Oertel, now in his SOth
year, is q. resident of the village OF
Vienna, in Fairfax county, Va, where,
in a picturesque studio of his own
modelling, he continues the work
known wherever art has penetrated.
The artist q native of Bavaria, who
came to America in 1S4S. settling in
Newark N. j., first sketched it in the
album of a young girl. living. in West
it, suggesting small painting OF rFe
subject in oil, which he exhibited at
the National Academy of Design in
New York. This caught the keen eye
of a Broadway dealer, who, realizing
its commercial value, induced Mr. Ger
tel to make large painting, from
which photographs were struck on,
and one of these falling into the hands
of Mr.. james of Providence, r. l., he
purchased the right of publishing all
subsequent copies.
The painting was bought for $1,000
by Augustus storrs. Brooklyn mer-
chant. while the run upon the un-
framed pictures, ten inches high, got
ten out by Mr. James, and selling FOR
S. apiece, was unprecedented in the
history OF photography, the operators
being unable to meet the demand. AMI
dealers losing sales from insufficient
supply Of copies.
Mr.. Jamess next venture was
acknowledgement, made under his
own supervision in Paris. Passing
through Iondcn on his way homo, he
sold throe of these chromos for nine
guincas to Mr.. Graves. the queens
bookseller. Upon his arrival in Liver
pool. telegraphic order awaited him
from that gentleman for 81 additional
copies, and on reaching New fcrK
he was handed an application from
him for the entire edition.
Indeed, phenomenal as was the sale
of this creation in America, it was
creator abroad. An English nobleman
hazards the assertion that, in some
one of its varied forms. it is to be
found in every palace and hovcl In the
island, and q traveller returning from
a tour of the world exclaimed: The
picture haunts me. 1t follows me
wherever I 20. have seen 1t in Chill;
I have seen it also in the Pyrenees.
Two years after the appearance OF
the first photographs Mr.. James had
realized as his share Of the profits
$4,000. Mr.. Oertel, too, was in re-
ccipt of a handsome income In royal
ties. and with this assured support
(having pursued his theological stud
les without assistance, and been or
daIned to the priesthood Of the Prot
estant Episcopal church) he removed
in 1867 to Lenoir. in North Carolina,
and t.ok charge OF q congregation
im voverishel by the civil war.
Two years later an unauthorized
copy of the Rock of Ages" was got
ten out by New York photographer
Mr.. Oertels publisher sought pro-
lection from the law, and the case was
carried into the lower and supreme
courts of the state. Scarcely had 1t
been decided in his favor, however
when u Chicago artist made similar
design, evading the law by the intro,
duction of q ship in the background
and the reversal CT the female figure
This threw the copyright open. Inc
monopo'v was wrested from Its own
or and the market flooded with pic
lures of every size and quality.
Thus, as a financial venture. ter
minated the brilliant promise OF the
Rock of Ages"
Up to It's production Mr.. oertel was
closely associated with the art life OF
New York, his pictures commanding
ready sales, and bringing high prices
and his career being oBe OF steady
progress Since then, however. al
though he has painted many notable
COMPOSITIONS, he has dropped out OF
the worlds regular army of workers
his life has been unsettled and nc
malic and his present studio is the
ninth which he has built and occu
MED. Washington Post.