ART AND ARTISTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1967, 5 November 1891, Page 46

ART AND ARTISTS.

The widow of Meissonier> the great French artist recently deceased* is said to be the feiggest woman in Paris. The artist married fcer when in his TBth year. As a statue to Danton is about to be •erected in Paris it is now being seriously proposed to pay the same honours to Eobeepierre. It has been suggested that both flhould be placed in the public abattoirs, where the surcoundings vrauld be in harmony with the sanguinary careers of the two butchers <oE their fellowmen. The Russian painter Ktilof has for some time been engaged in painting the portraits of typical representatives of the various "races included in the Russian Empire. In carrying out his purpose he has undertaken - many long journeys, and he has now a small gallery which ought \o be of considerable value from an anthropological as well as from an artistic point of view. Until .an older one be discovered, the oldest picture in the world, as asserted by Egyptologists, is the ancient specimen of painting known as the picture of " Geese," and preserved in the Ghizeh Museum. Some idea, of this venerable and curious work of art may now be obtained by a visit to the museum at South Kensington, for an accurate copy of it has been added to the collection of antiquities there. Lady Butler — better known to the public, perhaps, as the Miss Thompson who painted the two famous pictures of " The 8011-Call " •and " Qaatre-Bras "—has recently returned from the Holy Land, where she has been making sketches for the purpose of illustrating the book on Palestine now in course t>f completion by her distinguished husband, Major-general Sir William Butler, author of «• The Great Lone Land," &c. Lady Butler was enabled to have a set of most realistic models in order that she might the better conceive the subject of her grand picture, "Scotland for Ever." A troop of cavalry made a s special " charge" before her ladyship, as if in battle, whilst the artist stood by and realised the incident for one of the most popular pictures of the day. She was paid £3000 for the work and £3000 for the copyright to reproduce. The only other instance we remember of a similar " charge " for artistic purposes is that of the French cuirassiers charging across a cornfield fer Meissonier to paint his famous " 1807." Up to a very few years ago might have been seen on the inner side of some doors at Orr, near Hastings, a scene painted by the now great animal painter Thomas Sidney Cooper, who was at one time scene-painter to a band of strolling players, of which the late J. B. Buckstone was a member. At that time— of course it was many years ago— "Edmund Kean was "resting" at Hastings. The poor players had lighted on hard times, and were in sore straits. Kean assisted them with money, but could not do much. He was engaged at Oovent Garden at that period, and the "star" who was taking his place during his absence was not the draw that Elliston expected. So the manager posted off to Hastings to bring back Edmund Kean, but the great tragedian was not to be persuaded to budge, save on one condition — Elliston was to act with him in tbe barn for the benefit of the " mummers " for that one night. Elliston at length consented, the presence of the two great notabilities was quickly made known, a crowded " house " players rejoiced within them. " The ghost was the result,. and the hearte of the poor walked," and Kean, having done this kind action, returned to town with Elliston.