PRINCESSES AS ARTISTS' MODELS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 251, 27 November 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

PRINCESSES AS ARTISTS' MODELS.

Vanity, or ambition to be depicted on canvas by so brilliant a genius, Jed princesses of the blood, noble duchesses, and queens of the stage to besiege the studio in Leicester Square of that famous painter, Sir Joshu; Keloids. He never lacked distinguished models for his pictures, and his genius was such that while siill obscure and unknown Miss Chudlcigh, who was soon to become, the Duchess of Kingston, permitted him to immortalize her charms on canvas. The Duchess of Manchester posed for him as Diana, Lady Blake as Juno, .Miss Grevillo and lier brother as Psycho and Cupid. Lady Waldegravc as a Dido, and Lady Sarah Lennox sat for his "young Greek girl sacrificing to the Graces." Lady \Ya:degrave was one of Reynold's favo'irito models. She never grew tired of sitting for him. and the same remark applies to Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, who also often served Sir Joshua as a model. Mention might also be made of Mrs. Sheridan and Mrs. Siddons, who inspired some of the greatest master works of the celebiated painter. Some oi the great ladies whose charms Mid beauty .Reynolds immortalized also sat us models for the brush of Gainsborough, who, to quote the words of Dr. Angelo Rappoport, in "Itamous Artists and Their Models," painted not only the delicate charms of these models, but also their ability and genius, their very souls."

In sitting as models for the various pictures of these famous artists, however, the distinguished ladies mentioned ivere only following the fashion of centuries, for, as Dr. Rappoport points out, such artists as Rubens. Vandyck, Rembrandt, and Murillo were inspired by tho beauty and grace of Royal and noblo ladies, who regarded it as the greatest honour to be allowed to sit as models for the groat masterpieces which are so jealously guarded in the world's galleries.