TWO ART STORIES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 454, 6 April 1912, Page 7

TWO ART STORIES.

PUNGENT CRITICISMS

One of the most pungent bits ol criticism ever offered with reference to a fellow-artist's work was that uttered by the irrepressible Whistler with reference to a "bit" done by Rossetti. Rossetti, who was an incorrigible procrastinator, had beer for a long time telling Whistler of an "idea" he had for a picture, but eact time "Jimmy" inquired as to the progress of the idea, Rossetti woulc evade the issue, not having done o stroke of work in the direction indicated, and would, instead, begin tc talk of his literary ventures. Finally, one day when Whistler, mischieveo'usly, no doubt, put the usual query

—"And how is the picture coming on ?" Rossetti, ignoring the question said—"Jimmy, I've a neat little sonnet here I'd like to read you." Jimmy sighed and submitted. At the next meeting between the friends Rossetti told Whistler that he had not yet finished the picture, but that he had a frame for it. Whistler inspected the frame, a fine piece of Florentine work, but said nothing. Eventually, the procrastinating Rossetti actually did complete the picture of which he had talked so much, and it was, in due course, triumphantly exhibited for Whistler's criticism. Jimmy peered curiously at the painting,, then, turning to his friend, he said—

"Rossetti, if I were you I would frame the sonnet."

It is not only the artist, or the professional art critic, whose views can be the reverse of complimentary, even to a great artist, as is evidenced by the story told of a fair amateur critic who had been viewing Lord Leighton's "Helen of Troy" as exhibited at the Academy.

"I think it is a horrid picture," said she to the artist. "I am sorry to hear that," said the painter, "for it's mine."

"Yours !" exclaimed the young woman. "You don't mean to tell me that you've bought it !" "No ; I painted it,," was the reply. "Oh," continued the abashed critic, '"please don't mind what I said. I only repeated what everybody else if saying."—"Youth's Companion."