BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 183
he answered surlily, ‘‘ Tell Madame the Marchioness, that I do not run about
the town to paint.” Some friends representing to him the impropriety of such
a message, he promised to go to Versailles on a certain day, provided no one
were permitted to interrupt him. On his arrival he repeated the condition,
requesting leave to consider himself at home, that he might paint at his ease.
This being granted, he took off his buckles, garters, and neckcloth ; hung his
wig upon a girandole, and put on a silk cap which he had in his pocket. In
this dishabille he began his work, when prese%tly the King entered. “Did
you not promise me, Madam,” said the painter, rising and taking off his cap,
‘‘ that we should not be interrupted 1” The King, laughing at his appearance
and rebuke, pressed him to go on. “It is impossible for me to obey your
Majesty,” answered he ; “ I will return when the Marchioness is alone.” WitL
this he took up his buckles, garters, neckcloth, and periwig, and went into the
next room to dress himself, muttering as he went, that he did not like to be
interrupted. The favourite of the king yielded to the painter’s caprice, and
the portrait was finished. It was a full-length, as large as life, afterwards
exhibited at the Louvre, and perhaps the greatest work of the kind ever
executed.
M. de Latour painted all the Royal Family, and both Court and city crowded
to his closet. With an agreeable talent for conversation, just ta.ste, a memory
stored with extensive knowledge, and an excellent heart, he could not be
destitute- of friends. His house was resorted to by the most distinguished
artists, philosophers, and literati of the capital. Favoured by the sovereign,
and by the heir-apparent, he was devoid of pride, and had the modesty twice
to refuse the order of St. Michael.
In private, M. de Latour was a useful member of society, generous, and
humane. The desire of making others happy was his predominant, or rather
sole passion. Gratitude published, in spite of him, his numerous acts of
benevolence, and his door was continually surrounded by the needy.
Amongst the useful establishments to which M. de Latour turned his
thoughts, painting-the source of his fame, and in great measure of his fortune
-particularly claimed his attention. He gave a sum (equal to four hundred
guineas) to found an annual prize for the best piece of linear and aerial perspective
alternately, to be adjudged by the Academy of Painting at Paris.
Persuaded too of the benefits of good morals and useful arts, he founded an
annual prize of twenty guineas, to be distributed by the Academy of Amiens to
the most worthy action, or most useful discovery in the arts. He also founded
and endowed two establishments : one for the support of indigent childrenthe
other, an asylum for distressed age; and, at St. Quentin, a free school for
drawing.
Having enjoyed all the pleasures attached to celebrity in the capital, AT. de
Latour at length retired to the place of his nativity, His entrance into St.
Quentin resembled a triumph--a mark of respect to which, as the benefactor
of mankind, as well as for his talent,s, he was justly entitled.