Page:Anecdotes of painters, engravers, sculptors and architects, and curiosities of art (IA anecdotesofpaint01spoo).pdf/206

 likeness of the good M. Vien." Whereto the painter replied, "I was desirous to testify my gratitude to my master, by placing him in a picture, which from its subject will be the most important of my labors." There were, besides, the poet Lebrun; Gretry the musician; Monges, member of the Institute; Count D'Aubusson de la Feuillade; chamberlain, etc., etc.

The Bourbons, upon their restoration, unmindful of the arts, and actuated by a mean spirit of vengeance, ordered this chef d'œuvre of David to be destroyed, which was accordingly done!! When Napoleon returned to Paris, the existing government, conceiving it important that the picture should be replaced, requested David to repaint his former picture, which he felt great repugnance to do, regarding it as not within the province of real genius to repaint former productions. He was, however, prevailed upon to acquiesce, and the government agreed to pay the same price that he had received for the original, 100,000 francs. Upon Napoleon's second abdication, the Emperor Alexander, aware of the history of the performance, made overtures to become possessed of it, after David had completed it at Brussels; but, though his offers were munificent, the painter refused to part with it, and left it to his son, who subsequently exhibited it in London.

DAVID AND THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

During David's exile at Brussels, the Duke of Wellington called on him, and said, "Monsieur Da