ART AND LITERATURE

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 9, 30 April 1845, Page 4

ART AND LITERATURE

THE RIVAL PAINTERS;

OR, THE STRUGGLE ON THE TIBER,

THE PLOT. (Continued from No. 6.)

It was Adrian Colonna, and his only daughter the lovely Camilla, was with him. How beautiful she was! Her figure was not over voluptuous, though sufficiently so to be admired by those whose model was of the Venus de Medicis order. Her complexion was a clear olive, and the outline of her features was perfectly classic. Arched by brows of the rainbow's span, her eyes were dark and brilliant, and her teeth, just seen through her ruby lips while in repose, were like so many pieces of ivory. Fancying a girl in the bloom of youth and joy, so graced by fortune, form, and face, and arrayed in the gorgeous costume of the times, the reader will have no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion, that the hand and affections of such a maiden were what the proudest he in Rome would have thought a glorious guerdon. Many had striven to attain them, but in vain ; and Camilla Colonna continued her vestal state; and whether she would ever change it or not, were questions very frequently canvassed.

' A goodly picture i'faith,' said her father; then turning to Carlo, he added, ' Will you paint a picture for me? I cannot promise a subject like this, which calls for high, if not the highest powers of the artist. It is a simple portrait I require, and of this simple girl. Say, will you serve me ?

'With much pride and pleasure, my lord,' answered Carlo: and lie looked at Camilla, whose eyes met his, and who blushed slightly. ' In a few days I shall have to begin a work for his Holiness; therefore, the mean time can be devoted to the portrait of this fair lady. With your lordship's permission, I will call at your palace to-morrow morning.' ' That will do,' returned the patrician. ' But you will dine with me to-day. You will not be the first artist entertained at the table of the Colonnas, who have felt themselves graced by the presence of the gifted children of men. Accept this ring, lest you should forget.' ' Not to remind me of your lordship's kindness,' said Carlo; ' but to hold as a token of my gratitude and reverence; for that alone, let me accept and wear the ring.' "Tis yours,' returned Colonna. 'And now, farewell. But how is this, girl? , he added, speaking to his daughter; ' you are not always bo dull and silent a spectator of what is beautiful. How like you the picture of Signor Vincencio's painting?' , 'Much—much,' returned the girl, slightly confused.

' Well, well,' said her father, laughing ; 'the Bignor will accept your "much," and wait your better praises. But I have known you more eloquent of things not half so worthy as this.' ' Indeed, I think it very beautiful,' said the girl, something like enthusiasm lighting up her features.

'Come, this is better, , observed her father. 'Your arm, girl. Signor, adieu till dinner time.'

.' Receiving more honours,'observed a man to his companion. 'Let him have them, he will not enjoy them long, , said the latter. The speakers were Nicolo Sforza and Jacoppo Biozzi.

THE GIRL AND HER LOVEIt,

The enemies of the young painter ascertained almost as soon as the choice was made, the nameT 6Pth7e"lemaie~ io m for"cue"" eagerly expected Eve. It was Lucrecia Vaticci, a girl of eminent beauty, but whose character was none of the best. She lived in an obscure suburb of Rome, and it was thither Jacoppo and Nicolo repaired, choosing (or the time of their visit, the season most in accordance with their designs—night; and, as though to render itho harmony nearer completeness, the weather was rude and tempestuous. Heavy clouds hung in black masses over the firmament, and lightning, thunder, and hail came in to strengthen the solemnity of the scene. At one moment it was so dark, that nothing could be distinguished save the lamps in the distance; the next, the blue and forked lightnings would burst forth, displaying the city and the adjoining Qountry ; and before the terrible vision had passed away, the hoarse thunder would roar around, and seem as though it was peeling destruction to all the earth. Having gained the dwelling of Lucretia, the two painters knocked, and were immediately admitted. She whom they needed stood before them, and so great was her beauty that they for a time forgot their mission, constrained as they were to admiration. Lucretia Vaticci was little more than seventeen years of age, and quite opposite in appearance to Camilla Colonna. The former was blue eyed, light haired, and fair skinned, with a figure rather more slender than that of the titled girl; but each feature of her face, and, in fact, each detail of her person, was so perfect in itself, and so harmoniously blended, that no one would have wondered at her being selected by the artist for his study. There was one thing that pervaded the usual look and manner of the girl—it was simplicity a simplicity over which the serpent of old might have felt a seal in triumphing. But in Lucretia Vaticci it was only a seeming. 'Well, signers, what would you with me to night? she began, 'Be seated. It must be something of importance to bring you so far from the gay parts of the city such a night as this. , ' We wish you to serve us, , said the two painters, together. 'One ata time, so please you, signors, , said the girl. 'How am I to serve you? and what will be my reward?' 'Your reward will be two thousand dacats,' returned Nicolo; 'and what we wish you to do, 13 to swear before the Academy, that Carlo Yin-

cencio, to whom you are about to sit, has broken through the rules, by attempting —' t 'Enough. I know your meaning, said the girl quickly, interrupting Nicolo. ' And the issue of this act upon my part will be the expulsion of Carlo.' 'It will,' returned Nicolo. - 'Then I will do it , protested Lucrecia. By our Lady I shall become rich in time, what with what Signor Carlo Vincencio has given me, and two thousand ducat 3 besides; the two sums will form quite a dowry; and I question not, that with so much money, and all my own, I might find a gay wooer —ay, one who would be willing to wed Lucrecia Vaticci, without heeding much what she had been or what she was. , 'You consent then.' said Nicolo, earnestly.

' I do,' returned the girl. ' Swear not to betray us,' he solicited. ' Swear!' exclaimed the girl, impassioned, and losing the almost angel loveliness that but a moment since had invested her whole face. ' Why should I swear?—is not my word sufficient?—or do you wish me to swear, that I may break"my faith with you? for so it is with^ those to whom you belong. Count me, signors, if you can, the oaths that even in Rome, and within this hour, have been broken.. An oath with man is but a sign of after fraud. We women, in an especial degree, should know the value of youro,aths.' 'Well, as you please,'said Nicolo. 'But be you true to your compact. , 'Be but true to yours, and never fear me,' rejoined the girl. 'And now for my further instructions. When am I to accuse this young painter, and when am I to receive my reward?' ' When do you go to Vincencio's ?' asked Nicolo, after briefly consulting Jacoppo. 'On Monday next,' replied Lucrecia. ' And this is Wednesday, , remarked Nicolo. ' On Monday then appear before the President of the Academy, and on the night of that day you shall receive your reward. , 'Let me have an earnest of your sincerity,' asked the girl. ' It will make me act my part with greater confidence.'

'There are fifty ducats,' said Nicolo, giving her the sum named.

'And there are fifty more,' joined in Jacoppo. 'That will do,' said Lucretia. 'And now 'tis better we should part, lest your visit should be discovered, which might mar your project; for there are eaves-droppers about here as well as elsewhere. The storm is dimishing, and soon the moon will shine upon the cupola of St. Peter's. So good night.'

' Good night,' returned the painters ; End they quitted the dwelling of Lucretia.

'So they wish the expulsion of Carlo Vincencio, , continued she; 'and I am to be their agent. Pshaw !' she exclaimed, after a moment of thought, 'why should I feel any scruples? Well as I can weigh the motives of these men, I am not the one to cheat myself because they are not honest. Banishment from Rome and the Academy is all that will come of this; had nothing worse been the end of man's plotting against me, a woman, I should be different to what I am, I have been taught guile, and I practise it because I feel it but fit I should retaliate on the world, which has never smiled on or lent a helping hand to me.' At that moment a voice was heard without.

' Hist! hist!' were the words uttered ; and Lucrecia, to whom it seemed familiar, proceeded to open llie door, saying,

'Tis Christian Arnello, and I will bid him welcome, for of all who dwell in Rome, I might say tho world, he is the only one for whom I own a gentle thought. There is reason for my gratitude and.Jt may be, love; for did he not rescue me from death when, worn with hunger and fatigue,-1 dropped on the dusty road. Many were the virtuous who passed me by,' though in possession of the means to save me: many those too, who, as miserly of their coin, but more lavish of their prayers, offered them for me; but it^ was the reckless, the shunned, and tloe hated ChrJatian-Aroe!lowhp,alpae-gava,ma. succour. Welcome, Christian,' added" Lucrecia, as she opaned the door, and admitted the man she had been speaking of. He was of a wild and vagabond appearance, though his face and figure were very handsome. His dress, if it partook of any character, was that of a fishHis features, in their usu.al expression forbidding, relaxed into a smile when he saw Lucrecia, and heard her voice, and as lie threw down the nets he had brought with him, he said,

'No fortune to-day. It was late when I tried, and then a storm arose, just as though I was not to get anything; and, to make matters worse, the fishermen, who had been at their work early, went away with their nets loaded.' ' Never mind, Christian,' said Lucretia, encouragingly. ' I have more than all the fishermen in Home will get, for what they have caught to-day. Behold! a hundred shining ducats. "

< wu w you tllese? ' asked the young man. Why, v you must know, , returned tlie girl after a pause, 'they have been given me by bignor Larlo Vincencio, the young painter, in consideration of my sitting to him as the subject of some new picture. 5 .'Well, I am glad you have got the money,' said Christian. 'You see that, spurned as we are by the rich and powerful, we are of service sometimes, and must be sought. Tell me Lucrecia, how did the young painter bear himself towards you ?

'Discreetly, , returned the girl. 'To judge tromhw looks, I should say he has no mistress save his art.

lis well, said Christian. • Had he attempted ought, or should he hereafter, my dagger* Have no fear, , interrupted Lucrecia. ' These artists are constrained to modesty, any infra* - ion of which subjects them to dismissal from the Academy. 'Indeed,' said Christian. 'But-, that should not satisfy me was insult offered you ' . But you forget what I am, , observed Lucrecm, with an air of sorrow and humility i do not forget that you are a woman, and one vrhon I hate rescoed-whom I love, , said Christian, passionately. < And I would protec you as much as though you had continued unstained as at the hour of birth ' muuea un iiuciecia. You are wet, and must be hungry !

get some win and food, for to-night at least we will h ye a banquet. , ■ i, , 1 She immediately set. fire to some logs which presently blazed up, illuminating, that little ?oom, and crackling merrily. Christian ■ took a seat near the fire, and Lucrecia, arraying heiself in some additional clothing, bade him be patient until her return. She had not to go far in the procurement of that she needed; but yet the briefness of the space did not prevent her being conscious that the plot to which she had lentlierself might terminate, for Carlo Vincencio, much worse than she had at first anticipated. She had consented to act as Nicolo and ! Jacoppo had required, because she was poor, and had been wronged by man. There was a circumstance, too, that had made her feel less compunction on the occasion of conspiring against the young Florentine than she would, had the object been another. It was, that she had been the first to discover that the painter had found favour in the eyes of a fair young Roman lady, whose near relative had wrought ill to her (Lucrecia), and which ill she had long wished to avenge. Had that relative been alive, the girl would not have scrupled to take his life by slow and agonizing means; nor would she have shrunk from the infliction of a severe punishment on those who belonged to his house, which she now wished to bring about, though certainly not at the expense of Vincencio's life. That had seemed secured, until she had heard the remarks of Christian; they had frightened her; and before she had returned to the hovel, she had half repented of the pledge she had given. It was the better part of her nature that had spoken—the obscured glory of her soul; and even when on the threshold of her door, her words were, ' His life shall be spared.' At that moment a cloud broke, and the moon's light shone forth, just as the gleam of good had from the abandoned girl.' But. the light of heaven was again eclipsed, and in a little time Lucrecia Vaticci was a reckless, laughing, wanton.

THE OATH AND THE EXPULSION,

The President of the Academy was seated in his chair of state, and almost every student in Rome was present. Some matters appertaining to the art had been settled in the earlier part of the morning, and then a few hours were devoted to a conversazionne, in which the artists and others took part; nor was there any exclusion as to sex, several of the fair dames as well as fairer maidens of the holy city gracing the place with their presence. Among the latter was Camilla Colonna, who was, as usual, the companion of her father. Her picture had been finished, and had been sent to the Academy for exhibition for a few days. It was an exquisite specimen of art, and many were the groups that had formed, and were still forming, about it. Altogether the scene was a brilliant and, animated one ; looks were gay and happy, conversation was uninterrupted and cheerful, and the confederates, Jacoppo and Nicolo, looked as blithe and talked as freely as any. ' He is not here to-day,' remarked the former to his companion ; ' but should he come, it will be but to receive the award of the Academy. Lucrecia, however, will not fail.' ' I am sure she will not,' returned Nicolo. 'It is not likely she will be contented with a hundred ducats, when, by a little trouble, she can possess herself of two thousand. But what means that noise and struggling? By heavens it is she. .

'We must be calm,' observed Jacoppo,' or we shall betray ourselves.' 'Let me pass I say,'cried Lucrecia, struggling to make her way through all obstacles, comprising ready officials and the general company.

' You must not,' cried the former. ' You have no business here. .

'I have, , answered the girl. ' I come to complain of an outrage from one of the Academy; therefore, I say, let me pass,' ="' gi^'i™Ti'ooai7 rising, and speaking in the tone of authority. Immediately after, a lane was formed for her, and in a few moments more she was sianding before the President.

Well, girl, what would you ?' asked he. Speak, and have no fear. Your name" 4 Lucrecia Vaticci,' returned she. 'Some few days > since I was sought by Signor Carlo Vincencio, who told me he required a study for a picture he was about to paint. He asked me to serve him, and I consented, after having agreed upon a certain reward. To-day I went to him and———.' '

'To please you, Signor President,let this woman proceed no further,' said an aged member of the Academy. 'It will ill consort with the character of our institution and our art to place credence in the assertion of such a one ' ' But she will be put to her bath,' replied the 1 resident. She will not be heard except upon her oath.' 1

/A wanton's oath ! ' exclaimed the other with a sneer, while his lip curled in contempt! Who will place faith in that ? ' 'Our laws make no exception with respect to persons,' remarked the President. 'They do not! they do not!' exclaimed those painters who were enemies to Carlo: and the voices of Nicolo and Jacoppo were heard above tilG Vest. -

n i ! am bou ? d t0 administer the oath to all who have a grievance to complain of, , 3a id the President. /Come nearer, young woman and I will administer it to you. , ' Lucrecia approached, and the oath was administered to her.

'Now, proceed, , said the President. . I was m the studio of Signor Carlo Vincencio, began Lucrecia, looking truth itself 'ami without the least trepidation of manner "Sd he began h» work upon the canvass. I had no few at first for he seemed all intent upon Ms subject. His hand was firm, his eye was cold But presently there was a change; and then it was that I did tremble. It was th'en hi hand did shake; and whenever he did turn towards me, I saw that in his eyes there flamed Sres of growing lust. Doubting, and fearing■ n£ r ? I could not call for help. I could notmove! movement and speech were gone. At lasfcS' shame to him and me that I am here to tell ithe threw his pallet on the ground, rushed t7 wardimvand ere J could, through 1/^^

agony I felt, find voice to scream, had clasped me in his arms, and would have shamed me more but that my callings bade him desist. , ' Another interruption I' exclaimed tho President. 'See that the outward doors are closed. , 'But first admit me," were the words that called the attention of the assemblage towards the place whence they proceeded; and all were surprised to see Carlo Vincencio himself. 'So, Vincencio,' began President, • you have come to defend yourself. , ' To give the broad lie to the assertions of this woman,' returned the young painter. ' What is her charge against me, for one, a false one, she has, I know. Her uncaused screams, and her flight, though but half clad, through the streets, in broad day-light, assure me that. , ' Hear him f hear him!' was the exclamation of more than two hundred voices. 'He shall he heard,' said the President. Then turning to Lucrecia, he bade her repeat before Carlo the testimony she had already given; and she obeyed, with but a little less collectivetiess than before.

( Now, what have you to say in reply V asked the President.

'That what has been said by this woman, hiding in the frame of an angel the falsehood of a fiend, is a gross lie. My word, my character, and my art, are to be weighed against her. What is she? and what am I? Are not the fittest answers to the questions, those that point out her act as one of devilish conspiracy. I have wrought in Rome, hoping to make nought but friends; I have made foes as well, and she (Lucrecia Vaticci) is the tool, the agent of those foes.'

'This will avail you nothing,' said the President, who was even less impartial than he seemed. 'The girl's report is coherent; there are, she has this moment told me, witnesses to prove her flight, dishevelled, through the streets. Against these proofs, it has been urged, she is not one in whom credence should be placed. Her character may be doubtful, but she is now signed and proclaimed wanton ; and if she was, still we are hound to take her oath, and to punish those of our body who have attempted violence. The award of the Academy is expulsion on the instant, and for ever.' 'A just award! ' shouted the painters who were (lie enemies of Carlo.

'A most cruel and unjust one! ' cried others; and they seemed ready to attack the opposite party. 'Secretary,' said the President, 'erase from the list of the Academy of Rome, the name of Carlo Vincencio; and, officers, remove him: . The latter approached to do what they had been bade; they seized Carlo, who exerting his strength to the utmost, stretched them on the marble pavement at a blow. This was a sign for hostilities to commence; and they did so. It was in vain the President spobe, as it was he and the artists about him who were the mark of attack with the friends of Vincencio.

'Blood will be shed here,' said an aged rebel. It was Adrian Colonna. 'What means that? , he exclaimed, a piercing shriek ringing in his ears. He turned round, and saw that Camilla had dropped from his arm. She was in a swoon, and as many gathered round her, Adrian exclaimed, 'Room there! room there! my daughter ! my daughter! !

THE STRUGGLE,

It was moonlight, and the evening of the day on which Carlo had been expelled the Academy, when Nicolo "and Jacoppo were again on their way to the dwelling of Lucrecia Vaticci. Their looks were gay, and as they passed along, they spoke in merry accents of the good fortune that had attended their plot. Having reached their destination, they found the door ready opened to them; and Lucrecia was standing at it. She welcomed them, and opened her hand for the stipulated reward.

' It is there,' said Nicolo, giving her the money; and with it take our thanks. You acted your part admirably; and you may be assured that there are artists still left in Rome, who will pay you as well as Carlo Vincencio did, for being a study. Good night. We go to drink a pleasant journey to the Florentine, for he leaves the city to-night.' \A u d whithe . t goes he ?' asked Lucrecia, That we neither know nor care!' answered Nicolo.

'And he leaves Rome to night? ' observed Lucrecia.

' Yes,' returned the two men. 'Good night,' said Lucrecia, seeming as though she wished to be alone, and Nicolo and Jacoppo departed. 'He leaves Rome to-night, , soliloquized Lucretia, and may encounter Christian, who, in his way home, may hear of what has happened, and so, having the favourable appliances of silence and the road or river's bank, may attempt what he threatened in the event of violence being offered to me. Their meeting must be prevented, for should Vincencio's life be sacrificed, there is not one of these ducats— not one of the lesser coins into which each may be divided but will call a curse upon my head, and close the gates of mercy on me. If I mistake not, I know the way Christian will come; 1 will thither, and bring him here by another track. Mary mother of . -But I cannot \St ; gUI not a moment is t0 be

A very short time sufficed for Lucrecia to deposit her ducats in a secret drawer, to put on some extra clotbng,. and to lock the door of her S -$W aving done this » she hurried for»v i W i! a*? cx P ression of anxiety in her face, which, had it not been night, would have been S C A y -, thoSe T th whom she came.in contact. As it was, she passed, unobserved. (To be continued in our next.)