Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 67, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1900 — PAINTER COL’S QUEER CLIENT. [ARTICLE]

PAINTER COL’S QUEER CLIENT.

How He Induced the Artist to Paint a Dead Man’s Portrait. A new' story is being told in Europe about David Col, the Antwerp painter, Who died recently. As he was at work in his studio one day many years ago there entered a farmer, who requested him to paint his father’s portrait. The artist, not being overburdened with wealth at that time, gladly agreed to do the work, and said that he would be pleased to see the old gentleman at any time. Thereupon the farmer said, mournfully: “Oh, you can’t see him, sir, for he’s dead.” “Then how. on earth do you expect me to paint his portrait?” asked the artist, with a sigh. “Oh, you’re fooling me, str,” said the farmer. “Just tell me whose picture that is on the easel there.” “That is a portrait of St. Anthony,” was the answer. “Is that really St. Anthony?” “Yes.” “Did he sit to you?” “Of course not.” “Well, then, Isn’t that a clear proof t}iat you are able to make the portrait of a dead man?” Col, who wanted money badly, allowed himself to be persuaded by this novel argument, and therefore he obtained from the farmer as many particulars about the dead man as he could, and then, after making a sketch of the son, because be said that he closely resembled his father, he began work on the portrait. When It was finished he sent for the farmer and showed it to him. To his surprise the man fell on his knees and began to cry bitterly, his eyes meanwhile fixed od the portrait. Col flattered himself that he had made a lifelike portrait, and that it was the wonderful resemblance which caused the son to grieve so sorely. “Why do you cry so ia«ch?”he asked, trying to comfort him. “Oh, my dear sir,” was the unexpected reply, “I never thought that anyone could change' so much In such a short time. Dear me, how terribly ngly my poor father has become.” >