Prices of Pictures

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 806, 26 May 1876, Page 3

Prices of Pictures

We were recently informed by one of our large picture dealers, that, not long ago desiring to obtain a work from the hand of a French painter, who shall be nameless, but who is well known as the motit eminent of the day in minute studies, in talking over with him the price to be paid, something like £3300 was named. When, after some delay, the picture was almost finished, the dealer called upon the artist, who stated that the work was nearly completed, but he must; have more money for it than they had at first talked about. " Oh," said the dealer, " that is rather unfortunate for me ; but what, may I ask, is the price you put upon the picture ?" " Five thousand five hundred pounds " was the reply. The dealer said he must dec'ine to accede to those terms, mentioning at the same time the disappointment that would be experienced by his clients to whom he had spoken of his probable acquisition. Under these circumstances, the painter said he would take five thousand pounds, being five hundred le3s than the price he had named ; but the dealer still declined. The picture was, however, shortly sold by the artist for the price he had put upoD it. Now is it to be believed that any modern picture in size but a very few inches square could really be worth any such sum as five thousand pounds 1 We think not, aud the sooner these ridiculously sensational prices are abandoned, and payments more proportionate to the work done made, the better it will be— as indicating a more healthy state of the picture market— for art and artists also, — ' Queen, 1