Romantic Story

When Konstantin Jlakoffski set liimsslf to the fcask of painting his faraous picture of "The Kussian Wedding Feast," be was already a great Russian artist, but not yet world famous. He conceived the scheme of paiuting a grand picture tliat should be preserved forever in the imperial art gallery of th Czar as an enduring monument of Russian art. This picture must be distinctively Russian, and at the same time immortal. This was tua most difficult task an artist could attempt - to paiiit a picture that should be both natioual and immortal. Think over all the immortal piotures in the world, and there are not a dozen that are distinctly national, after you leave the classic works of Oreece and Rome. To be natioual a picture must not only depict men and women plainly belonging to a particular pation, amid a scène that belongs to that Dation alone, but also engaged in an aetion that cannot be found in any other nation - not an act of history either, which is only made national by history. Many paintings are distinetively French, or Germán, or Italian, or Spanish, or English, by their style, their figures and costumes, and their accessories; but they are not national, because the aetion they show is not particular to their country, and might happen elsewhere. And to be immortal a picture must, however limited by nationality, appeal to the admiration oL all other countries. Konstantin Makoffski became in a short time a man possessed by AN ALMOST INSANE MANIA. He dreamed of bis picture by night; he wrought at it at all hours; he drew and redrevr, painted and repainted. He shut himBelf up for long months in bis studio, refusing admission to everybody except his wife, and admitting her only when forced by exhaustion and hunger. As the work grew he became emaciated, fierce, sullen, alrnost mad, consumad by an intense enthusiasm. Finally, however, the picture was completed to the satisfaction of bis mcrbidly critioal fancy. Then he admitted his wife to the studio and pointed proudly to this consuramate work of his genius. The woman shed tears of joy, because now she hoped to regain her husband's society. The painter l'ainted from prolonged exhaustion. The picture was sent to the Czar. The imperial family and tbe artists called to wituess its unveiling were MOKE THAX DEMGHTED with the great work. But the Czar, ambitious to have Russian art take the lead in Europe, sent the picture to the world's art exhibition, then open in Antwerp. There the splendid Russian picture took the admiration of all Europe by storm. It was unanimously voted the medaille d'honeur by the judges - and this award was confirmed by the praises of the artists of Europe - as the greatest painting of modern art. Tben the painting was sold, under tbe rules. The Czar expected to bid it in for the Russian imperial gallery; but an American - Mr. Charles W. Schuman, of New York- overbid the Czar, who wanted mony for his armies, and bore off the prize at a f abulous price. In New York Mr. Schuman built an art gallery expressly for this one picture. He would not allow it to be shown elsewhere for a long time; but at last he yiolded to the public wish, and consented to loan his treasure to the Detroit International Exposition, to be exhibited in Detroit at A COST OP $500 PER DAY, during the time it is on exhibition. Thus the people will have an opportunity to see this great painting. It will be exhibited in the magniiicent Art Building of the Exposition, in an alcove by itself, lit by Edison electric lights, as also will Munkacsy's great painting of "The Last Hours of Mozart, " owned by Gen. Alger, and H. R. Poore's grand religious painting of "The Night of the Nativity. " Elsewhere in the building will be distributed the 350 famous paintings of the American Prize Fund salon, besides innumerable other works of art in marble, bronze, silver, etc. "Tbe Russian Wedding Feast" is a blaze of gorgeous colors, so blended as to make a harmonious whole, The men and women are all purely Russian types, and so are the room and all in it. No description can give an adequate idea of the grand effect of the grouping and coloring of this magnifícent masterpiece of art. It must be seen to be appreeiat ;d, and it is appreciated the moment it is seen. The bride in the picture is wonderfully lovely. Her quaint Russian costume and peculiar Musco vite features lend an added piquaney to her beauty, to eyes not accustomed to tbe Russian type. The guests show every variety of Russian eharacteristic - the Laplander, Tartar, Kossack, etc, and all classes of society, from the servant and peasant to the rieh merchaut and government official. In short it transports the beholder to a strange country. And the t urn ture, silverware, and all the accessories, deepen the strange impression. That it is grandly drawn and painted is a matter et course.