REVEALED BY A BRUSH

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13092, 13 February 1937, Page 10

REVEALED BY A BRUSH

MOW ONE FAINTER KNEW ANOTHER Yan Dyck, tlm celebrated portraitpainter at the Court of Charles I, onco -called upon Frans Hals, the equally famous Dutch artist, during a visit to the Netherlands. fie found tho studio unoccupied save for a servant, who bogged the stranger to wait. Hals way taking his ease in a near-by inn and derided his servant foi disturbing him with the news that, a customer was waiting. The servant urged him, however, stating that the stranger was n man dressed in the English fashion. Hals bustled impatiently to his studio and told the stranger he would give him just two hours if he had come to have his portrait done.

Van Dyck smiled at Hals’ obvious trick to frighten him away, and agreed to sit. Hals worked feverishly f.o complete his bargain within the specified time. When fho work was done Van Dyck .startled the Dutchman by calmly offering to return to compliment. Hals agreed, somewhat mystified, and watched his visitor with evcr-incrcas-iag interest, until the last strokes of hi' likcnc-ss had been touched to the canvas. Suddenly ho leaped up. oxer, inning, “Van Dyck! Tt’s you!”