RAPID PAINTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12755, 26 September 1919, Page 3

RAPID PAINTING.

One of the many curious tilings in the world of art is .that while one man will devote years of work to an exhibition picture, another will have bis caucus completed within a low hours or days. Over seventy years ago Sir Edwin Landseer promised to send a picture to the Spring Exhibition of the British Institute in Pall Mall: but on the day before the .opening all the Hanging Committee had received was an empty frame, without a word of explanation. . And when in their dismay they dispatched Mr Vernon Heath posthaste to inquire the meaning of the mystery, he found the great artist standing in front of an empty canvas. “That’s my picture,” said Sir Edwin, pointing to the untouched canvas. “ I shall send that to the, exhibition tonight.” Sure enough, a few hours later, the completed picture—the beautiful “Cavalier's Pets,” which may be seen to-day in the National Gallery- ■ was forthcoming. A still more amazing feat of rapid workmanship is credited to Mr Solomon, R-A., whoso admirable life-size portrait of Mr Zangwill was begun and completed within five hours. Another instance is that of Mr Orchardson, R.A., who had not touched the canvas of his first Academy picture three da vs before the opening of the Exhibition'