New-York tribune., 1910-03-23
CLAUSEN ON STAND
ART DEALERS STORY.
Says U1hneSs on Other Side
Tried to Hold Him Up.

~ Mafuus Whlch were IN reality counter
feits. was a witness yesterday in the trial
OF the SUIT In the Supreme Court TO recover
the money paid for the pictures.
Clausen seemed 20 make a good iuDres-
sion. He was aggressive and apparently
anxious 20 tell fully OF his connection with
the alleged spurious pictures and OF his
long relations with Evans. Almost in tears
Clausen told how anxious he was 20 pro-
teet his reputation, which had taken many
years 20 build up. and also for his fanily's
sake, 90 disprove the charge made against
him. He told how Near Newport and
''Old MIL Near 81. Cloud" the two can
vases in litigation. came into his possession
and expressed his conviction. based on his
knowledge OF Martins work. that both were
genuine.
The defendant also told OF an alleged de-
mand made on him by Henry w Ranger,
an artist. who was one OF Evans's wit
nesses. for 1850 Ito square the boys who
were talking about the paintings IN liti-
cation. Ranger told him. Clausen said.
that he ought 20 have commissions on their
sale. Ex-Judge Hrch objected 20 the in
PRODUCTION OF this testimony and Justice
Page remarked:
That would not be commission, Il would
be black mall
Ciausen Is a German OF middle age AMI
speaks English with a decided accent. lie
studied art in Germany and worked there
as decorator He came 20 this country
in 1881. he said and became a picture
frame maker and art dealer. in which trade
he became acquainted with Martin, Blake
lock. Inness and other American artists
whom he had seen paint He said ne was
well acquainted with their work.
L. - -.
counsel. Jerome Eisner. had him identity
the check for $1,000 with which the de-
fendant declared he paid for Near New
PORT and also the receipt for II. The wit
ness said ne first saw the picture when Il
was brought 10 his gallery in March. 1902
He explained:
"a gentleman named Andrew Chittenden
who had been a visitor 20 my gallery. smoke
70 me one day about the value Of Homer D.
Martins. and said he had one he would like
10 dispose Of He asked how much I would
give him for IL. and I told him that I
couldn't tell until / saw the picture The
next time he came I'm ne brought H. I told
him II was very nice picture, but that il
was In had condition and would have 20 be
restored"
Clausen added that he then bought the
painting for $1,000 He went on 70 tell
about sending Il 20 Arthur Dawson 20 have.
Il restored the work 20 include transferring
the painting 20 another canvas. Clausen
said that Martin had a style that could no.
be mistaken, and that Inness also had a
distinctive style.
Counsel then went into the defendants
hTst meeting with Evans in 1899 ana of
some Of their subsequent business relations
He came into my gallery one day." said
Clausen. and invited me 10 come 20 his
house and take dinner with him. vent
one evening. and before we went in 20 din
ner he said he wanted me 10 look over his
paintings and give him my opinion OF them.
as he was thinking OF having a sale IN .he
spring"
What did you say?"
i asked him II he wanted me 20 give him
my professional opinion or a lot OF tsffv
tie said he wanted my honest opinion. I
looked over the paintings and told him that
ne did not have enough representative
American painters in his collection to make
the safe successful that his paintings were
mostly by minor painters and the public
would not be attracted 10 the sale nv
them Later. lie said. Evans took his ad
vice.
Clausen said that Evans showed him q
canvas and asked:
billy, how do you like it?'
Il said. What is it,
He replied. It's a Wyant.'
Then ] told him II was a very prinitiva
one He asked me 20 write TO Mrs Wvant
and have her come 10 my gallery and sign
it."
This was after Wyant had become IN
sane and been taken 10 an asylum.
Mrs WANT came down. and 1 showed
her the picture" said Clausen.
Did she sign it?"
No: not that day; she refused. declaripg
that II was not painting by her husband
OILY sketch. When Evans came I'm after
ward told him Of her refusal. ana n.
urged me 10 call her on the telephone ana
try again 20 get her 10 sign the picture.
II IL brings a good price I'll make her
a handsome present. Evans told me-
The witness said that Mrs. Wyant after
ward did sign the picture. and that under
Evans's Instructions. he sent il 10 DaUson.s
studio. When ne next saw il. Clausen de-
clared, II was beautiful piece OF color
and bore Wyants signature ''westchester
Hills" and Summer Morning" by Inness
were also treated by Dawson. Clausen saiS
these pictures figured in the Evans sale in
1900.
holhe INTO MS experience With Henry "
Ranger. Clausen said:
Ranger came 10 me and insisted thar
he be paid commission on the sale NJ
tie two pictures 10 Mr.. Evans I told him
that ! could not see how he was entitled
% anything. 'Wel. he told me. some of
the boys think there is a little too much
painting on them. They don't exactly saw
they are not genuine. bat they think there
is too much painting on them. Now. II Won
will give me $500 for this canvas of mine
will go and square the boys I told
Ranger that / wouldn't give him 500 for
his picture. Later he came TO me and de-
manded N0o. which / did not pay"
Next the defendant explained how he
came by Normandy Bridge" another
painting attributed 10 Martin. which DR.
Alexander c. Humphreys. president OF
Stevens Institute. bought and later pro-
nounced fake" Clausen said thar he
bought IL from Mr.. and Mrs. Searles -
who were in some way related 10 the late
Senator Mcpherson. OF New Jersey. Later
he said. daughter Of the latter went 20
Clausen's gallery and verified the genuine
ness Of the painting. Then DR.. Hum
phTeys bought IL for 500