Stories Pictures Tell. Book 1

by Flora L. Carpenter

Baby Stuart grew up to be a great naval officer, who fought and won battles on a big boat at sea. When his brother, King Charles II, died, he became King James II.

When you look at this picture of Baby Stuart you feel sure he will grow up to be a good king. But, do you know, he was not a good king. The people did not like him at all, and even drove him out of the country. But we like to think of him always as a pretty baby whose queen mother used to sing him to sleep just as other mothers do.

These three children liked to play and have a good time just as much as we do. It would be great fun to visit them and play with them, would it not?

Questions to help the pupil understand the picture. Whose children are these? Where did they live? Where did they play? Which one is Prince Charles? Tell about him. When he grew up what did he become? What kind of a king was he? What kind of dogs were named after him? why? How is he dressed in this picture? Whose dog is he petting? Who stands next to him? What color is Princess Mary's dress? Whom did she look like? Why do you suppose she does not wear a cap or bonnet like her brothers? How is her hair combed? How old was she when she married the Prince of Orange? What kind of a princess was she? Whom did she help? Upon what is Baby Stuart standing? What color is his dress? When he grew up, what did he become? What kind of a king was he? How old was he when this picture was painted? Where was it painted? Who brought the children to the studio? How did they bring them? Who met them at the landing? What kind of a place was this studio? How long did the children stand? What helped to keep them from getting tired? After Sir Anthony Van Dyck had painted their faces, what did he say about their dresses? What did the king and queen think about this picture? What do you think about it?

To the Teacher: Allow the children to act out the story. They will enjoy representing the children at play in the park, getting dressed for their picture, and finally posing for it. Wrapping paper or even common newspapers may be used to make the stiff, long skirts and the caps. A make-believe boat is satisfactory. A kindergarten stool will do for the platform on which Baby Stuart is standing.

The story of the artist. Sir Anthony Van Dyck's father kept a silk store and sold beautiful silks to rich people. He met so many fine folks that he tried to be like them himself, and soon had as fine manners as the best of them. This made him just a little bit too proud, so that he no longer cared to have anything to do with any one who was common or poor.

The boy Anthony grew up with something of the same feeling. When he was very little he did not like to play with other boys, but preferred to sit in his father's shop where the great ladies came to buy silk. He liked to have them smile at him, and to smile shyly back at them.

Anthony's mother made the most exquisite embroidery and painted beautiful flowers. She gave the little boy his first lessons in painting. By the time Anthony was old enough to go to school his parents had become very rich, and nothing was too good for their little boy. He liked to draw better than anything else, and so when he was fourteen years old they sent him to a good teacher to learn how to draw and paint. Here he worked very hard. He did so well that in two years, when he wanted to study with the great Dutch artist, Rubens, the artist was glad to have him as his pupil.

There were a good many boys in the class. One day their teacher, Rubens, went out for a long walk. He always locked the door of his private studio and no one else had a key, except a servant. The boys wanted so much to see what was in that room that they finally persuaded the servant to let them in. Once inside the studio, they crowded close around the new picture Rubens was painting, and one of the boys was pushed against it. His coat sleeve rubbed off the chin and arm of the Virgin the artist was painting. The boys were terribly frightened, and did not know what to do. Finally they decided that the chin and arm must be painted in again. All said that Anthony could do it better than any of the rest.

So well did he paint that even Rubens did not know anything had happened. When he did find out about it he was so pleased to know that his pupil could paint so well he did not scold the boys at all. After that he often let Anthony help him paint his pictures.