New Britain herald., 1917-12-14
HOW THEY FELL OUT.
1t Was Comment on Germany mat
Parted Two Great Artists,
Whistler and Chase.

~ was COnlIneHC OIl UcA AAH"AAJ AAe"0
Parted Two Great Artists,
Whistler and Chase.
(New York Evening Post)
Col. Whistler once said to Chase In
a railway coupe in Holland, apropos
of some voluble German fellow-trav-
elers, 1.-The good Lord made one serl-
Gus mistake"
What is it now?' snapped Chase,
whose nerves had already been set on
edge by Whistler's deliberate rudeness.
when He made Germans"
Chase had been educated in Ger
many, and this outburst, coupled with
Whistler's subsequent remarks, made
in fluent German, caused a final rup-
ture between the two. Chase dived
out of the train at Harlem, and, after
that, saw and spoke to Whistler only
once again in his life.
This version of a well-known ar
tistic rupture is taken from the au-
thoritative Life of William Chase"
by Katherine Metcalf Roof. It is not
strange that the most amusing part of
such a biography should concern
Chase's friendship with Whistler
Whatever their comparative merits as
painters as personalities there could
be no question which was the more
amusing. When Chase became ac-
quainted with him of the butterfly sig
nature, he (Chase) had already de-
veloped to maturity in his art He,
therefore, met the eccentric not as a
worshipper, but as an equal. On the
other hand, there is not the least
doubt that those weeks spent in
Whistler's London studio, painting at
his side, we're worth a fortune TO
Chase. The greater individualjty
could not fail to influence the smaller.
One courts an avalanche of protests
from Chase's admirers and students
by -venturing such a statement. But
the famous portrait of Whistler, made
at this time by Chase, proves how
much he profited by watching the
master of Cheyne Walk at work.
Meanwhile Chase had rather diff
f1cult time getting along with Whist
Ter, who insisted on perpetually quar-
relling. ''It is commonplace, not to
say vulgar, to quarrel with your en-
emies," said he. Quarrel with your
friends, That's the thing to do" The
visiting artist stood his hosts con-
slant disputatiousness as long as ne
we'll could. He had pretty nearly, 1t
seems, finished Whistler's portrait,
when he rebelled. The trip to Hol-
land which led to the final break, was
nroposed bv ease the strain of a too
close association.
There we're two Whistlers, accord
ing to Chase:
The Whistler of Cheyne Walk was
a dainty, sprightly little man. I'M
maculate in spotless linen and per
fect-fitting broadcloth He wore vel
low gloves, and carried ms "ano
noised lightly in his hand. He seemed
Unfortunately proud of his small feet
and his slender waist; his slight inn
perial and black mustache were care
Full, waved: his monocle indispen-
sable.
Now view Whistler behind the
scenes He had prepared his outward
establishments with the skill ana pa
+ience Of an accomplished actor. For
bo,rs he had stood before a mirror
curling irons in hand training care
fully his hair, in particular that IA
NOUS white lock, fussing ana prlmplng
like woman.
Ru+ the real, genuine whistler had
heen at work since early morning,
working like a f1end as ne WORKED.
The monocle of the night before had
been laid aside for an unslgnty par
of iron spectacles' SO neaVy tha' my
1,are c1,msily wrapped with cloth !
1,,hare they rested on his nose. His
hair was uncombed; he was careless !,
ly dressed. |
II was when playing the satirical
fon that Whistler took occasion to
dazzle the world with his ready and
hitting wit. Chase used to repeat a
number of his sayings, among them
Whistler's typical remark, when ne
was getting the worst of a discussion: .
INV dear colonel CHS nickname for ;
chase.) I'm not arguing with you:
I'm telling you"