Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-07-19
PAINTING WAR
PICTURES NOT
ANYTHING EASY
Artist Tells of Difficulties En-
countered in Obtaining Ma
trial for Noted Canvas
New on Exhibition,


..,rting war picture, even When the
fhe field of battle is made easy
VIZ royalty consents 20 pose, are de-
aa 'bs8 ly Prof Herbert Oliver IN
s1l',.sr read before the Imperial Arts
The painter rs describing ms
5ls 1rs Where Belslum Greeted
P1'', Rram. which is one of the
uIL,.t,, features of this years Royal
5omv exhibition The picture
20 King Albert of Belgium ana
s l, ceoree of England meeting at
ni.s road in Belgium just behind the
firing line. ..,. ace,
,,. In attaining leave 10 50 To the
80 saws the painter land IT was
III, because my object was approved
his majesty that the war oifice
If possible for me. / had asked
u'.-tssian TO visit the localities where
,. George met President POincare,
N '.5 Ioffre and King Albert and
hars introductions to men on the
r.riisb French and Belgian stairs
l we're present at those meetings
W." VA oould furnish me with correct de
.iIs No hopes had been held out
.Eot either King George or King Al
,lr, could slt for their portraits.
aput the army authorities came 70
reseue with unexpected enthusi-
asn and on reaching France
,1arned flo my surprise that arrange
msnts were being made for me TO
ssro nm interview with King Albert
'so next day. Prince Alexander oi
Tscb took me To see the king, who
"a tbat as he understood King
eeorpe wished me to paint this PIC
tgre he would of course be glad TO
Albert Is Modest.
awban in the course of converse
liam ! asked his majesty, who speaks
rngDsb slowly, but well, if he liked
KIM Alberts Book, he said, Well
ia very kind, but there is really too
much about me in il, for ] nave ONLY
dome what others have done
1T was arranged that ] should re-
prn the next day at 8 O'Clock III
the morning At noon ! met MAJOR
du Roy de Blicquy, who was in at
tendance on King Albert when ne met
King George, and having taken me 70
the spot. he showed me exactly what
happened and gave orders to the
guards that / was to be allowed 70
uaint there unmolested.
"Tha night, unfortunately while
was attempting to keep the glare
from the windows of the intelligence
department out of my room, the leg
Of the chair on which / was standing
broke and in falling ] cracked two
ribs Nevertheless ! started at day
break for the kings headquarters.
Nv driver took a wrong turning ana
consequently | was late, but Prince
Alexander explained matters to the
kng and as my shattered state made
my painting difficult it was arranged
that should come back two days
later. Meanwhile | was able to make
studies of General Frenchs car ana
his chauffeur. who had driven the
king and ON my return ! finished my
studies Of King Albert and his suite.
Learns Inside Workings.
Before going to the headquarters
of the Fourth army. where the KING
Of England met Poincare ana Jotfre,
/ was introduced to General HuBuel
and as | had been warned that lIle
French staff regarded my whole BUS
mess as preposterous, / apologlzed loI
the inconGruty of intruding the arlS
Of peace into the arena of war; anu
apparently satisfied the general.
ut is impossible without violating
hospitality, To say much about my
visit to the Fourth army. | learned
much of the inner working Of things
and the staff was very Kind in help-
ing me to get what | wanted. IN q
day or two ! rushed off to French
headquarters 10 meet General Jollre'
who granted me two sittings Inc
general who occupies q small, nearly
empty room. is a calm blonde man.
going gray with mild blue eyes the
short nose of a fighter, an Immensely
strong law and the ear of sagacity,
my return to England was de-
layed by blockade. and l could not
get 10 work at my picture until March
! so that what / had finished had TO
80 into the Royal academy in an un-
finished state. Both the king and
Prince Of Wales gave me sittings alter
sendngln' day, but the l'oyal h'au-
envy who have been most klhd III
helping my project, allowed me 70
complete my work after 1t had peeh
hung
Not Much Mud.
III has been remarked py SUM
that the Belgian roads at that time
of year were more muddy than the
road IN my picture. but as a matter Oh
Tact carefully inquired into that ana
found that the car was haraly
splashed, as a cold northwest wihu
had dried up the mud.
7 should like to add that when the
Fomptuous expression Of a painter 5
arg is banished, as is the case in most
modern meetings where motor ana
Khaki take the place of prancing
sieeds and gorgeous trappngs. the
chief nterest-given Of course a
Wtll-balanced composition, must pc
lhe tuthlulness of the portraits. Inc
Jays have gone when, catching al the
mantle Of the great Fleming one
could venture without affectation TO
portray King George descending from
an Olympian ear. King Albert as
Mars, and the Prince of Wales as
La q d %