Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-06-26
A RIVAL OF WHISTLER.
The Russian Wolkof's Attempted in,l.
tation Of the PasteIs.

One evening there was a convly-
ial gathering of men from many
different nations seated about a ia
BILE in an open court Of the Bauer
Grunwald, a well known Venetian
restaurant. The conversation, be-
lieve, was in English, and the sub
iect of Whistler's pastels was
brought up by one of his enthusi-
astic American admirers. A Rus
rian named Wolkoff was hippant
and depreciating, ridiculing them as
works of art, jeeringly saying that
he was willing to bet that he could
make half dozen pastels as good
as Whistier's, and, if they were
mixed with his, nobody could tell
them apart. The American was
surprised at this attitude and re-
marked:
"Tll bet a champagne dinner, for
all present that you can't"
"All right, ri take your bet and
prove what | say, but | will make
one condition only, and it must be
agreed upon by all present: | must
be permitted to see Whistler's pas
tells before BEGIN"
81 will agree to that and arrange
a day when you can see them"
All this was unknown to Whis-
tier, who was innocent of the reason
for the call Of his Russian guest.
He received him charmingly and
showed him all his pastels. These
he pinned on large cardboards, care
fully, almost tremendously, and
placed them before him upon a
chair that served as an easel. This
was the usual way he exhibited his
pastels or etcbings at home. The
Russian was not heard from for six
weeks. Then the committee in
charge was informed that he could
not 90 on because he found it i'm
possible to purchase in Venice the
peculiar brilliant pastels with which
Whistler obtained his effects.
The American would not let him
slip through in that way, so he man
aged to make it possible for his Rus
sian friend to select numerous small
pieces from WhistlePs own pastel
boxes. He selected all he wanted
or thought he needed for the easy
task of making a Whistler pastel
and after this exceptional .accommo-
dation returned to his work, saying
he would be ready for the jury in
a week.
How or by whom the six jurors
we're selected | do not know, but
remember that two strangers, an
Austrian and a Dutchman, were
among them. Spain was represent
ed by Martin Rico, England by Hen
~ Woods, X. A., and America by |
Frank Duyeneck and myself. BY |
his time Whistler knew the wager.
The jury met in a house on the Riva
lot far from the Casa Jankovitz,
near enough for him to bring his
,astels conveniently. The meeting
vas a very long room facing the
agoons. The American who had
the wager was not there.
Nolkoff was at home, sick in bed.
Whistler was in the darkest and
arthest corner, with his back to
he company and his pastels on a
ong table. was selected to bring
ach exhibit from Whistler's hands
nd place it on high backed chair.
1t was an extraordinary position
n which Whistler was placed and
irritable ordeal which he faced. He
yas serious and wore a troubled
Dok, the truth being that he was
ervous at the possibility that the
ury might let one of the Russians
astels slip by as one of his own. |
m glad to say, however, that when
yer a Wolkoff appeared it was in
family received with groans and
bouts of "Take it away~ Not for
ne moment was there the least
oubt or dissenting yoice.-Otto
'acher in Century.