The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-16
He Studied in Paris-Kentucky

Writing in Harper's Magazine Tor
 July. Robert shackleton describes the
 remarkable career of the American
 artist, Chester Harding. who, born In
 1792 started in as a sign painter, studied in Paris, Ky. instead of the
 French capital. and before middle age
 painted many of the great men of the day in both England and America, end-
 ing up with General Sherman. The &C., count of his English experience Is amusing. Arriving in London, he promptly sets about seeing pictures and, although frankly ready to admire, he always retains honesty and a breezy back woodsism. He admires the Vandykes and Rembrandts: he admires the DOT traits of Reynolds; he admires the women of Lawrence. but not his men; he admires Titan; he sees Rubens which Is vastly overrated! and of some | of the other pictures he remarks. casu- ally, T daily behold worse paintings than I ever painted, even in Pitts- burg
 with delightful incensequence and without explanation of how a matter of such vast importance to him came about. we suddenly find him telling of painting duke; and not just an ordi- nary duke, but one at the very head of the peerage, a royal duke! "'January IA, 1S24.-Began the DOT trait of his royal highness the Duke of Sussex. This is the first time I ever had the honor of seeing one of the royal family
 And it was but few weeks since he was in the baekwoods None other but Benvenuto could have taken 1t with such calm or written of it with such brevity; Began a portrait of his royal highness.'
 And he was far from being alto- gether dazzled. Coming from the back woods. he measures man as man. The duke is a prodigiously fat man, above six feet high. of very uncommon features. but not intellectual Tn few days: Finished the DOT 1 trait of the duke. All who have seen it think it the best that ever was taken of his royal highness.' Everywhere Harding makes friends He sets off for a visit to a great place in Norfolk. the home of a MT. Coke a man of 72, an ardent admirer of America. and the first to propose our independence in the House of Com mons
 "Harding's experiences increased in variety, And there comes the utterly astonishing entry, Went to the House
 of Lords, and, through the kindness of the Duke of Sussex, was fortunate enough to get front seat on the foot | of the throne.'
 
 him. I feel myself improving in every picture I paint And then comes the following memorandum. set down with a casualness that is more astounding than the fact itself: Had a call from Mir Coke. the Duke of Norfolk, and General Fitzroy.' And the best of 1t | is that it is not the call of Norfolk and the general that most pleased him, but the kindness of tho untitled Mir. | Coke. for he says, This attention on | the part of Mir. Coke is most gratify- ing.' | And in a very few weeks for wen- | ders do not cease. he is on his way to
 the palace of the Duke of Hamilton l to paint his portrait.
 "The palace is 285 feet long by 200 feet broad writes this mathematical | minded artist. The picture gallery is 1855 feet long And then comes the ex-
 peeted phrase. I think l shall succeed very we'll.
 And he is himself struck by the | marvel of it all. What freak of for l tune is this which has raised me from the hut in my native wilds to the table l of duke of the realm of Great Brit ain! By another freak may be sent ! back to the hovel again"