Hundred Years to Paint Stage Scene.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 April 1914, Page 2

Hundred Years to Paint Stage Scene.

MEISSONIETi HAD HIS JOKE WITH THEATRICAL MAN. In an anecdote of Meissonier and an impresario who called and asked him to paint a drop scene. "Have you ever seen any of my pictures ?" asked the painter. "No," was the answer, "but that's not the question. You are famous, and it's your name I want." "What is the si/.e of the curtain?" said the painter. "Forty feet by sixty," was the reply. "Let me think for a moment,"' said Meissonier. "I wish to work out a couple of little sums in my head." The manager waiter! impatiently. Then Meissonier explained his calculation thus :—"My pictures sell at an average price of over £,700 per | square yard. So your scene will work out at something a little under £200,000. . I "I shall be delighted to undertake the work on these conditions. At i my highest speed I require six ,! months to complete a canvas one foot square. Thus you may expect to have your drop scene in about a hundred years. Shall w'e make out the contract ?" ; There was no answer. The mana- j ger was falling down the stairs. i