New-York tribune., 1904-05-29
D1NIEL YIERGE.
Personal Recouecions of the Late
Spanish artist.

The recent death In Paris OF Daniel Vierge,
the Spanish artist passed unnoticed by the
world at large This public indifference to the
termination OF a remarkable career was per-
haps to be expected When this born draughts-
man left Madrid, his native town. In his nine
teenth year. and went to Paris. he reached the
French capital just in time to make sketches
OF the siege for the Monde Ilustre" His
work was good that he had thereafter no
difficulty in obtaining commissions he poured
forth Illustrations for periodicals and books
with prodigious fertility, and in the midst of
his miscellaneous labors contrived TO produce
a masterpiece in the shape of a series of draw
inss for the famous picturesque novel of Que
vedo. Don Pablo de Segovia-" He had won
fame, and fortune also was almost within his
grasp. when he stricken with paralysis,
his right side being rendered useless, and
though he trained himself to work with his
left hand. he necessarily dropped. in a measure,
out Of the race. He WAS then thirty years old
He was not without honors nor prosperity dur
ing the remaining tWenty-three years of his
life but he modest as he proud,
and worked on contentedly in a retirement
which explains in some sort, the slight atten-
ton paid TO his death.
Some ten years ago, when strolling on the
outskirts of Paris with the late Philip Gil
bert Hamerton. spoke to him Of Vierge, whose
Pablo" illustrations, in copy OF the book
had picked up in Spain. had excited my admira-
tion and he burst into enthusiastic eulogy OF
the artist, who had long been his friend Hamer-
ton praised him of the most extraordi-
nary technicians he had ever known, but be
was almost warmer in his tribute to Vierge as
a man. BE sure you so to see him." he said
you viii find him of the gentlest and SUM-
niest of afflicted men," and soon after I had
the privilege Of spending a couple Of hours
with him in his home at Boulogne-sur- Seine
He lived in a little house set back in narrow
garden, with vines clambering everywhere, even
across the old iron gate through which one
passed on ringing the far off. tinklins bell. AS
/ walked up the gravel path / saw the right
a wicker inclosure occupied by number OF
aristocratic fowls. On the left, further on,
the house. and behind it the studio in
which he spent most Of his time II a
comparatively bare room. with few Of the lux
urious appointments familiar in the studios Of
Partisan artists Vierge found il agreeable to
rub along with a few pictures, a few cup
boards. a few well filled bookcases, an old table
with one or two chairs, and a screen hung with
dilapidated costumes There were no rugs on
the floor. II was. in fact, a very Spanish In
terror characteristic Of a capable Of be-
irg gorgeous to a degree, equally austere-
Vierge himself provided the best key to his sur
roundings He seemed simplicity itself. a tall
and stalwart who must have been COM
manding in the old days. before paralysis over
took him. II was pathetic TO see this fine artist
compelled TO move with hesitation across the
room. compelled to rely upon his wifes inter
probation Of the almost soundless movement Of
his lips for the understanding Of his every
wish Nine. Vierge. kindly. matronly woman,
simple in her manners her hus-
band was his right hand in everything save
his drawing. II was a brave sight to the
two together. Vierge as full Of gayety though
he IN the best Of health. and laughing