The Pavement Artists

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 255, 24 July 1937, Page 9 (Supplement)

The Pavement Artists

Written for the page by Pip (16), Wellington.

ONC-E upon a 'time, in a little town in Holland there lived two children, Pieter and Zelda van Kutner. Their father was a fisherman' who owned a small cottage near the sea, and there the family lived. The children went to the nearby school, but they were much more interested in drawing than in lessons. Whenever they had a moment to spare, and sometimes even when they didn’t, they drew all kinds of things on their slates. Pieter generally sketched ships, and Zelda liked drawing animals from life. At home the children had no materials, because they were too poor to buy books. One morning 'they decided to draw on the footpath outside the cottage. Then they found that they needed chalks, as pencils would make no mark on the path. During the next week they saved pennies by running messages for neighbours and carrying their heavy parcels. At last" they were able to trot off together to the stationer's shop, where they bought, with much excitement, a box of six different coloured chalks. Of course, the children began drawing immediately, and although they had not had drawing lessons, except in their first year at school, they drew remarkably well. Certainly, Zelda’s dogs had their ears rather far back and the cows looked too fat, but the idea in her little head was one which could be developed, and she evidently had a gift. Pieter would sometimes go out with his father, early in the morning, and sit on the pier sketching the fishing craft while his father brought in the catch. After a while passers-by stopped to watch the children, and a few even gave them pennies to “help toward the next box of colours.” Pieter and Zelda did not know that one man went a little out of his way to watch their progress. He was very interested in the work, and on the sixth Saturday he spoke to them. “You seem keen on your work, children. Do you like drawing?” “Oh, yes,” was the instant reply; “we saved up for this box of chalks, and now we have nearly enough money for some more.” “Have you ever been to drawing lessons?” the gentleman inquired. “No,” said Pieter, “but we hope to go some day, when we have saved enough pennies.” “I’m afraid that would take a while,” smiled the visitor, “but would you care to come on Wednesdays to a little class I have?” Zelda opened her mouth, but did not speak. She was thinking what a great deal of money it would cost. “Of course, there would be nothing to pay—l want you as guests.” This changed the situation. Two little hearts began beating fast; then Zelda asked the man shyly if he would ask her mother about.it; she was just inside. The artist went in, shown by the children, and he talked to Mrs. van Kutnbr for quite a while. After he had gone they went in to ask their mother what she had decided. “Children!” she cried, “you don’t know how lucky you are—that man is the head of a big drawing academy in Arnhem. He has many grown-up artists, and they consider themselves fortunate to be allowed to draw there. Now, he has asked you for nothing!” The children gasped with delight. “You are to ride over on the donkey on Wednesdays after school,” their mother went on, “and you will have an hour each time.” This was the peak of joy for Zelda and Pieter; they could scarcely believe their good fortune. At the academy they would be given paper and proper paints. No wonder they were glowing with excitement when their mother helped them on to the donkey the following Wednesday. The Arnhem Academy of Art. was a large stone building with many rooms and the biggest room was for the exhibition of valuable collections, which the students were to study. Pieter and Zelda were truly awed. The other pupils in their class were about fourteen to eighteen years of age, and, as they were only nine and eleven, they wondered still more at their luck in being able to attend. After they had had some technical instruction, the two youngest members were not much below the others in their work. Soon their paintings began to disappear. The master would take them to be marked, but did not return them. One day Pieter spoke to the master. “Please, sir,” he began, “may we have some of our pictures back, as our parents would like to see them?”

The teacher looked at him. “Well, son. I’m afraid I cannot give them to you just now. but could you wait—for a few weeks?” Pieter wondered why he could not have them immediately, but said nothing except a polite “Yes, thank you, sir.” The few weeks soon went by, and during this time the children were often encouraged by the master. The next Saturday the pupils were all given cards to deliver to their parents and friends, and these read:— “To all parents and friends of the pupils of the Arnhem Academy of Art, we extend an invitation to a display of students’ work, on Satur-

day, May 26, at 2 p.m.” Zelda and Pieter were pleased a't this, as they wanted their parents to see the academy and the work done by the students. On the 26th, therefore, the whole family went to Arnhem. Imagine Zelda’s surprise when she saw her picture of a flock of -sheep exhibited among the work of her class! Around the corner was a scene of fishing boats beside the pier. The rising sun was reflected in the water and gleamed on the little craft, making -the picture very true-to-life. In the corner of the picture was Pieter’s name, and underneath was written : ’‘An offer of 20 guilders has been made for this picture.” Pieter stared wide-eyed. Twenty guilders, about £2, was an enormous amount to him. He could now understand why his drawing master had not returned his work.

That afternoon an old gentleman wrote under Zelda’s painting: ‘.‘An offer of ten guilders is made for ‘A Flock of Sheep’!” This was the beginning of fame for Pieter and Zelda. Although the sums were not large, they were a beginning, and pictures by thes’e two artists are now hanging in all the famous galleries. Only a few people, though, know the story of the pavement artists who rose to fame through the kindness of the head of the Arnhem Academy.