Evening journal., 1912-06-19
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Story Of ChaSe'S Greatest
Portrait
By B@siand

At the time of the exhibition of
some of the paintings of William NJ.
Chase, now esteemed one of the great
est of American painters, and a mas
ter of the difficult art of portrait
painting il was the common opinion
Of the ahlest critics that picture en-
titled Ready for the Drive" was per-
haps not only the highest exemplifica-
tion OF the genius of Chase as a por-
trait painter. but would easily hold
rank with the greatest works OF art
painted by the famous portrait paint
ers of the past
The portrait represents a woman
dressed for ride and still drawing
on her gloves while waiting apparent
ly. for the horse 10 be brought to her.
The pose, the beauty of the face, the
elegance Of the figure, and, above all,
the expression of conveying the idea
of eager waiting and joyous anticipa-
tion of the ride, all combine 20 make
this portrait one of the finest iii.s.ra-
tions Of modern painting art
There were many inquiries from,
men of wealth whether or not the
picture was for sale. Had il been Of
feted for sale it is the belief of some
of the experts that II would have
commanded the highest price ever
paid for portrait painted by an
American artist This picture how
ever is i'm ownership that will never
part with it. II is the possession of
the Union League Club New York
City and hangs upon one of the walls
OF the reception room.
was told recently the story Of the
manner in which this picture came
into the possession of the club.
"One of the prominent members o
this club for many years was the late
Cyrus Butler" said my authority. He
was a man of very great energy q
leader in some great business under.
takings and keenly interested as 9
citizen in politics although always de
clining personal perferment. More
over he had a self-trained but really
gifted appreciation of art. He wal
one of the first to discover the geniu:
of George Inness. He was also If no
the very first. yet among the first t
realize that William NJ Chase was
certain to rank among the great por
trait painters.
MT Butler. having discovered II
Mr. Chase's studio great many years
ago the portrait which Mr.. Chase call
ed Ready for the Drive became en-
thusiastic over IT, He was anxious
to secure it for the Union League
Club.
Having done that and exposed th'
picture 80 view, Mr. Butler was cha
griued to find that his judgment ha'
been criticised.
"Some said to him that the portrai
was not worthy of a place upon tn
walls of the Union League Club. III
declared with great deal Of anima
tion TO those who made this statemen
that il they lived long enough the,
would find their judgment confound
ed Sometimes he saw members o
the club looking at the picture wit
what seemed TO him to be smiles o
amusement. some even going so ia
as TO laugh outright at it. TO them MI
Butler said:
The day will come when this PIC
ture will be esteemed among III
choicest of the art treasures of thi
club. and when the world will recog
nize 1t as one Of the most perfect AM
beautiful portraits ever put upon can
vas.
We'll. as the years passed there be
gan at last 70 be appreciation Of tn
Judgment of Cyrus Butler, and whe
some of the worlds greatest painter
who visited the United States wer
privileged 20 look at this portrait an
pronounced It masterpiece, then Nj
Butler found his judgment vindicatet
Today 1t is catalogued among tn
greatest illustrations Of the world
portrait paintings and ] presume ths
~ II we're offered for sale II woul
command record price paid for an
portrait painted by an American art
ist BY and by. when a hundred year
or more have passed. Il may be tina
some of the rich men of that day wi
be willing TO pay for II AS much 2
present-day American men Of wealt
have paid for some of the RembranC
portraits
copyright 1912. by p. J. Edwards. A
rights reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell {
"The Supreme Courts Youngest Ma
I'm the Law