SALE OF "SALOME."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1960, 17 January 1914, Page 11

SALE OF "SALOME."

MASTERPIECE OF PATRIOT : . PAINTER.. The newest sensation of the sale-room comes from Paris, where Henri Regnault's famous picture, "Salome," was knocked down to an American, purchaser'for the immense sum of £19,200. Regnault's "Salome" has' been discussed, admired, and abused by artists ever sinco it was painted, more than _ 40 years ago; but even those who disliked the picture most admitted that it was a masterpiece in execution and colour. The daughter of Herodias—a vulgar,

common-looking woman as Rcgnaiilt paints her—is seen in the picture seated with baro nock and arras .and 10030 draperies, and with the charger and sword resting on her knees. The magnificent black hair of -tho dancing-girl is one of the best things in-the picture, end no doubt Regnault delighted in. painting it, for in lus "treatment of black he was a master. Great efforts wer-o. made by the French authorities to secure the "Salome" for the ouvro; but they failed, as England failed to. keep Rembrandt's superb picture of "The Mill," because sufficient funds could not be raised.in time.- ■•'■■■ ■■ ',' There were -many reasons why the French should'havo wanted to /keep "Salome, , . , and 1 not' the least was - 'the fact that its author died fighting for his country in th'o disastrous war with Germany m 1870-I—died, too, in his youth, before his splendid promise had been fulfilled. • Henri Regnault was born in. Paris nearly 70. years ago. His father was oho of tho principal persons connected' with the great porcelain manufactory at Sevres, and young Rcgnault was placed at an early ago under Cabanol—the. teacher of many .successful painters. Soon ho carried off the great prize that entitles tho'French art student to spend a long period in Rome, and in R-ome he painted the "Salomethat has just been sold in Paris. Later ho.went to Spain, and then to Tangier, where ho painted wonderful studies, of Eastern sunshine. Then, when Regnault was only 28, came the closing tragedy. Ho was in Africa, painting happily, when the news camo of tho German victories; but no hurried homo to fight for Franco, and in one of tho sorties from Paris Regnault, fighting , bravely, mot his death.