New-York tribune., 1905-11-24

an order for eight large portraits revolutionary
heroes Each to cost the tidy sum of $500 1t
was left to Mr. Paris choose the artists. and the
only stipulation was that each picture be painted
by different workman
The agent picked out the artists with great care
and secrecy, and the purchaser visited each ar
lists studio gave personal instructions az TO
pose, scenery, details. etc. From the start the
greatest privacy maintained. as the buyer
desired above all things TO avoid publicity
William NJ Chase received one of the orders. and
the subject assigned to him was Colonel M NJ
Prescott He painted the colonel, already told,
at three-quarter length. and in full reg1mentals-
The owner was so pleased with the finished paint
ing that he and Mr. Paris decided to place it on ex-
hibtion Boston, that the descendants OF Colo
mel Prescott might have an opportunity 10 ses
and perhaps criticise. This move, however Iel
the out OF the bag.
The critical Bostonians thought that Mr.. Chase
had made colossal blunder in the clothing of
Colonel Prescott, and did not hesitate to say So
This attention to the painting with the re-
suit that the whole story. which had been so care
fully guarded, leaked out
Mr.. Chase in Philadelphia last night. but
Mrs Chase said that she sure the criticism
OF the painting uncalled for, as MT Chase
had painted the picture as directed
Mr. Paris when seen last night. at first refused
to talk He said that he was provoked at the
news getting out AS to what clothes Mr. Chase
saw fit to picture Colonel Prescott in. this ne
thought was Mr.. Chase's principals business ana
no concern of the general public. Mr.. Paris at last
decided to make a statement. He said
painting private a 9Tasr bs aPS PacsiTed MF cha5a o
acting of course ] for my P saV That the
9ny the e, agent 6 n6ntng 6f5 am were Tns subject Of much
careful study before the order was placed II Is
STHaiS am mighty sorry sent the picture to Boston
II The " VIII be FURIOUS With eoyf ooSy
and tie public has never been the iser esy the
newspapers to every work Of art which theS
see fit TO order Once more - say y,,enf's eIlat - "
Robert w Vonnoh. who received one of the
orders said that he too was pledged to certain
amount of secrecy. He refused to tell the real
name" of the purchaser, but felt that he was al
liberty to talk about his own picture Ihls Is
portrait OF General Richard Montgomery. VINO feli
in the battle of Quebec December 81, 1775 The
nainttns shows the soldier threeQuarter length.
with one hand on sword hilt and the other raised.
The background depicts scene Of confused battle.
MI Vonnoh said:
The gentleman who has given these orders De; de-
eaa dnd ahS @ IS Spending his money
which will not only give him great pleasuPe ht+r Du'
My own picture is finished but do not feel that hat
consent Of the owner AS for the criticisms of
Mr. Chases painting. 7 think that they are too
the Character OF Colonel Prescott it appealed
to him have done the same Tag W1}n nbo9Hs my busi
ness to criticise such details Let them confine
criticism to the art or else say notnIns-
When Mr. Vonnoh asked concerning the other
,ictures in the series he said that he understood
that Hubert Vos and Prince Troubetsky had re-
ceived orders but he did not know what subjects
had been assigned to them He did not know who
had been picked 10 paint the rest OF the series
Concerning the agitation over Colonel Prescotts
clothing there seem TO be conflicting reports
handed down by the historians OF that time. The
British writer's speak of him as leading his troops
In full regimentals. while the American historians 1
insist that he wore long linen duster and black
felt hat such as the Quakers wore. There seems
therefore to be good ground for difference Of
opinion There is also the matter or artistic
license to be considered.