“I sow again the holy Past,
The happy days when I was young.”
ELEVENTH HOUR PERFORMANCES.
Some Wonderful Achievements Wrought Against Time by Celebrated Men of Genius Who Saved Critical Situations at the Last Minute—Phenomenal Records by Artists and Composers.
The world of genius abounds with stories of marvelous achievements at the last moment, especially the musical and artistic branch of it. Strange though it may seem, some of the finest music and paintings have been executed in a rush against time.
“There goes Leader, off to paint his dally picture,” was the usual comment of his neighbors, upon seeing the artist leave his rooms early in the morning with a canvas on his back. Although this may, perhaps, have been a too flattering anticipation, it is a well-known fact that on several occasions the academician produced a large picture within a few hours.
Marvelous as is Benjamin Williams Leader’s rapidity with his brush, he has a formidable rival in Solomon J. Solomon, A.R.A., who painted an admirable life-size portrait of Israel Zangwill for the Academy Exhibition within five hours of taking up his brush.
But neither Leader nor Solomon would dispute the honors of swift workmanship with Sir Edwin Landseer. He had promised a picture for the Spring Exhibition of the British Institution in 1845, but on the day before the exhibition was to be opened all the hanging committee had received was an empty frame, which was duly hung in the position of honor.
As the prospect of the frame receiving a picture for the opening seemed very slight, a member of the committee went to interview the artist. He found Landseer standing in front of a bare canvas.
“That’s the picture I promised,” said Sir Edwin, pointing to the canvas. “I haven’t touched it yet, but I will send it to the institution to-night.”