Section 197 Coming to Terms1
One of the most distinguished artists in Paris2 painted for a lady occupying a brilliant position in society her portrait3, with4 the intention of placing it in an exhibition afterwards. The lady, although a long time celebrated for her beauty5, had arrived at that age6 which is seldom admitted (fifty years), but7 endeavoured to conceal it through cosmetics, and showed herself as beautiful and captivating as in her younger days [= years]. Paris is full of resources, and ointments are to be obtained there8 to heal the wounds of time.
Our heroine had her portrait taken9 in the most graceful attitude; splendidly dressed, and leaning on an arm-chair, she looked smiling into the glass, which should return10 her the most amiable compliments. The painter made11 a most striking likeness, but this was a great mistake—a flattering one was expected12, and the lady subsequently13 declared that she did not recognise herself (App. § 28) in this painting, and the portrait was left on the painter’s hands14. The artist, feeling himself hurt in his pride, was too good a philosopher to keep a portrait worth three thousand francs quietly on his hands15, and an idea of vengeance presented itself to his mind16, which he put into execution at once.
A short time before the day fixed for17 the opening of the art-exhibition at the Louvre18, the lady was secretly informed that her portrait was ornamented with certain accessories rather compromising her19. She went immediately to the artist. There was the portrait! It was the same striking likeness certainly; but the painter had thinned the hair, and the lady so faithfully painted20 held in her hand two large tresses of false hair. On the toilet table were several small bottles, labelled thus21: “White-Wash,” “Vegetable Red,” “Cosmetic22, to efface wrinkles,” “Lotion, to dye the hair in a minute23.”
“It is abominable,” said the lady, greatly excited.
“Of what do you complain?” coolly replied the artist. “Did you not declare (S. 48, N. 2, and App. § 28) that it was not your portrait? You are right, it is a mere fancy sketch24, and as such I shall send it to the exhibition.”
“What, Sir, do you intend to exhibit this painting?”
“Certainly25, Madam; but as a cabinet picture26, since the catalogue will indicate it under the title of ‘The Coquette of Fifty Years.’”
At this the lady fainted, but soon recovered, and then paid at once for the portrait27. The accessories were effaced28 in her presence, the portrait was restored to its original state, and the three thousand francs were transferred29 to the purse of the painter.—The Young Ladies’ Journal.
Notes
1 = The Compromise.
2 An artist in Berlin, ein Berliner Künstler.
3 ‘painted — portrait’ may be briefly rendered = painted the portrait of a high-placed (hochgestellt) lady.
4 in.
5 = Although the lady was for a long time (seit lange) celebrated for (wegen) her beauty (see S. 27, N. 8).
6 = she had now reached that age; admitted = confessed (eingestanden).
7 = however, to be placed after ‘endeavoured’.
8 and — time = and offers (darbieten) ointments, which heal all the wounds of time.
9 to have one’s portrait taken, sich malen lassen.
10 = tell.
11 schaffen, str. v. tr.; a most striking likeness, ein höchst ähnliches Bild.
12 = the lady expected one that flattered her (S. 48, N. 6).
13 mithin, to be placed after ‘declared’.
14 and — hands = and refused the acceptance of the same (to agree with ‘painting’).
15 to keep a portrait quietly on one’s hands, ein Portrait ganz ruhig bei sich liegen lassen.
16 and — mind = and devised a plan of vengeance (S. 36, N. 7, A).
17 zu.
18 im Louvre.
19 daß ihr Portrait mit gewissen sie kompromittierenden Zusätzen verziert sei.
20 und die treu nach der Natur gemalte Dame; a tress of false hair, eine falsche Haarflechte.
21 = with the following labels (Etikette, f.).
22 Schönheitswasser.
23 Haartinktur zum augenblicklichen Färben der Haare.
24 = it is only the production of my fancy.
25 Allerdings.
26 als Genrebild, the first component of which being pronounced as in French.
27 for — portrait = the price of the picture.
28 beseitigen.
29 ein´verleiben, p. p. einverleibt.