Page:Anecdotes of painters, engravers, sculptors and architects, and curiosities of art (IA anecdotesofpaint01spoo).pdf/207

 *vid, I have called to have my portrait taken by the illustrious painter of Leonidas at Thermopylæ." David, eyeing fiercely the man who had humbled his country, and dethroned her Emperor, replied, "Sir, I cannot paint the English."

DAVID AND THE CARDINAL CAPRARA.

David introduced the Cardinal Caprara, as the Pope's legate, into the picture of the Coronation of Napoleon, without his wig. The likeness was exact, and the Cardinal remonstrated with David on the omission, desiring him to supply it. The painter replied that he never had, and never would paint a wig. The Cardinal then applied to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and represented that as no pope had hitherto worn a wig, it might seem as if he (Caprara) had purposely left his own off, to show his pretensions to the tiara. David however stood firm as a rock, even before Talleyrand, and said, "his Eminence may think himself lucky that nothing but his wig has been taken off."

DAVID AT BRUSSELS.

David, then advanced in years, severely felt his exile at Brussels. He lived very retired, saw little company, and seldom went abroad. It is related that Talma, during a professional engagement at Brussels, got up the tragedy of Leonidas, expressly to gratify his old friend, and invited him to the theatre to see the performance. David consented to go,