Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects, and Curiosities of Art, by Shearjashub Spooner. New York: R Worthington 1888.
3 v.; 17 cm.
Originally published 1853, this is the 1888 edition.
A PAINTER’S RETORT COURTEOUS.
Jean Ranc, an eminent French portrait painter, was sometimes annoyed by impertinent and vexatious criticism. Having exhausted all his talent upon a particular portrait, the friends of the sitter refused to be pleased, although the sitter himself appears to have been well satisfied. In concert with the latter, Ranc concerted a plan for a practical retort. After privately painting a copy of the picture, he cut the head out of the canvas, and placed it in such a position that the original could supply the opening with his own veritable face, undetected. After all was ready, the cavilers were invited to view the performance, but they were no better pleased. Falling completely into the snare, the would-be critics were going on to condemn the likeness, when the relaxing features and hearty laughter of the supposed portrait, speedily and sufficiently avenged the painter of their fastidiousness.
Shearjashub Spooner (1809-1859) was an eminent dentist who also liked art.
Shortly before this posted to PG, I got Volume 2. Maybe in a year or so I’ll get Volume 1!
Thanks to Janet Blenkinship for post-processing this book!.