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Show A DISPARAGING COMPLIMENT. The great English painter Joseph Turner had a strange style, all his own; and sometimes other artists who felt bound to give him compliments could not feel sure just where to place their praise. An awkward experience of the celebrated sculptor John Gibson is a good illustration. Gibson, in his rare visits to England and London, spent much of his time in Boxall's house, and no one who ever saw him can forget the wonderful raciness and simplicity of his conversation. One recollection of it, characteristic of two great artists, it may perhaps be permissible to give. Gibson had gone with Mrs. Huskisson to the famous house in Queen Anne Street to see Turner's gallery of his own pictures; and they were waiting in the little room down stairs for the appearance of Turner. Leaning against the wall in frames were what Gibson thought two beautiful sketches. In due time Turner came, and Gibson observed, "Those are a pair of beautiful sketches." "Sketches! Sketches!" said Turner, "finished pictures, going home tomorrow." There was a somewhat ominous silence, and Turner took Gibson by the collar of his coat and led him up to the mantelpiece, on which were two six-penny casts of Cupids drawing on slates. "There," he said, "these are more in your way. Gibson; you had better stay and study them, while Mrs. Huskisson and I go upstairs and look at the pictures." In vain did Gibson follow humbly, and endeavor, by honest and hearty admiration of what he called the glorious "picture, sir, upstairs," to propitiate the great painter. "No sir," he said, "he wouldn't look at me or speak to me all the day; he couldn't forgive me the ‘sketches.'" - The Fortnightly Review. |