Francis Wilson's Picture

1895

A Touching Painting of Organ Grinder Sorrowing Over Dead Monkey.

It is rare that an artist nowadays paints a pivotal picture — one that will turn the minds of the people, making them reflective and more considerate of the common phases of life. Surely Abbott Graves has touched a chord of nature which makes the whole world kin in a work which is destined to make a national reputation for him. Graves is an artist and is known far and wide for his flower paintings, but he sees and studies all sides of life, and in this recent work, entitled "The Silent Partner," has struck the most pathetic incident he has ever undertaken.

The scene presents an organ grinder seated on a corner of his idle and untuned instrument. His hands are resting on his knees, his head bowed, and his eyes riveted upon the object of his desolation, his poor, dead monkey lying at his feet as he has fallen from the cage, with his little gray jacket and pink tunic on, ready to start out on his weary round to amuse the eager children or the curious of the busy thoroughfare.

Seated near the closed door of the humble room is the organ grinder's daughter. Her tambourine is resting idly at her side, her hands cover her face, and one can almost hear the sobs of the heartbroken girl, who now knows nothing else in her small world but grief for the lost pet.

Ursus and Homo and Gwinplain over again. The story of Hugo is brought vividly to mind. But this event in the lives of the promiscuous semimendicant toilers brings us nearer to our own conventionalities. He that owns a pet can appreciate the scene, but how much more keenly these poor creatures feel their double loss! No wonder that the comedian, Francis Wilson, when he saw it, was impressed with its sad and touching pathos. Several days after having visited Graves he returned and remarked: "Mr. Graves, ever since I saw that picture it has haunted me. Whatever your price, I want it." And so the work has become the property of an appreciative artist who knows the world, its joys and sorrows. — Boston Post.

Note: This from the internet, says, "American artist Abbott Fuller Graves - oil on canvas - painted in l894, The Organ Grinder, valued at over $100,000 was stolen July 11, 1997 from Sebastolpol California. A reward is offered."