ART AND ARTISTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 30

ART AND ARTISTS.

Miles Standish's monument at Duxbury, Mass., is nearly completed, It is to be 116 ft high, and stands on an eminence 300 ft above the level of the sea. Navigators will note it as the first prominent object as they enter Massachusetts Bay. Mr W. H. Stopford, head master of the Halifax School of Art, died in February last. Mr Stopford was an artist of considerable ability. His forte was water-colours, and ho has left behind him many works of real merit, the best being sea pieces and coast scenery. His position in connection with the School of Art extended over more than 21 years. Aged 46. Leo XIII has directed that his monumental tomb shall only consist of his figure recumbent in white marble upon a sepulchral urn of porphyry, on the sides of which are to be the statues of religion and justice; many of the popes prescribed their monuments, though Pious IX did not leave any directions in regard to his. There is now on view at Messrs Boussod, Valadon, and Co.'s gallery, Bond street, London, Constant Troyon's celebrated picture known as "La Valee de ]a Toucques." This picture, which is in some respects the painter's masterpiece, is the same canvas that fetched some thousands of pounds when brought to the hammer in France the year before last, and is now offered at £10,000. John Bacon, the sculptor and R.A., author of many good works, such as the statue of the Thames in the quadrangle of Somerset House, Howard and Johnston in St. Paul's, Mrs Draper at Bristol, and various examples in the colonies, was buried in 1799 afc Whitefield's Chapel in Tottenham Court road, a structure which has come to grief. What (asks the Athenaaum) is going to be done with his tomb ? There has been quite a ferment in Scotland during the last few months about a newly discovered portrait of Burns, which is alleged to be by Raeburn. Who would believe that little more than 40 years ago the then Principal of Edinburgh University (Dr John Lee) objected to allow a marble statue, by Flaxinan, of Burns to be placed in the college library, because Burns had not received a college education ? Lord Cockburn's remark, on hearing of this bigotry, was, " Poor Shakespeare 1 " The death of an old lady at Pecq, near Paris, and the sale of her chattels, has led to the discovery of a masterpiece by Rembrandt. It was put up to auction with a reserve price of 200fr. A picture dealer, who had 3een the work, representing a man with an angel on each side of him blessing a table, close to which there is a servant, paid a joiner very well known at Pecq to bid for the picture, believed by almost all present to be a worthless copy of a picture in the Louvre, known as " Pelerins d'Emmaus." To the astonishment of every one, and especially to that of the old lady's heirs, the picture was knocked down for what was considered the high price of 40!>0fr. The Paris picture dealer who thus became possessed of it was, a few hours later, offered 7/».000fr for his acquisition ; but he refused the ou\\r, and is said to be determined not to t-01l tho picture for less than 260,000fr. It boars Ksmbnuuit's signature, with tho dnto ltffu?. A ltuge and important scriptural picture entitled "Forbid thorn not," by tho Austrian painter Blaise Bukovnc, was exhibited lately in London. On tho left of tho composition stands the whito-robed figure of the Saviour, who holds a babo in His right arm, whilst His loft, hand is ext ended as Ho signs to St. Peter and two other disciples to allow those present to bring their children for Him to bless. Tho background oi palms and cedars is lit up by the sunrise, and one of the most successful portions of the picture is the face of the Saviour, which is eminently thoughtful, sad, solemn, and instinct with more than earthly dignity. Bukovac studied first under Hans Markart in Vienna, and afterwards with Cabanel in Paris. He is now only a young man, aged 35, and his pictures are only too gladly secured by some fortunate purchaser as soon as they are painted.

—"I hoar that the doctor has given Grijrgsby up."— " yes, he would'nt pay his bill'"

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