V
VALESQUEZ, Spanish canvas coverer. In the absence of the
camera, he was appointed the court oil photographer. Exposed a
portrait of Philip IV in every gallery in the world. Art
textbooks think a great deal of V.
VANDERBILT, an American family of means who possess a few
railroads, much of New York City, some splendid divorces, and a
weakness for Newport and newspapers.
VAN DYKE, beard inventor and artist. A Dutchman who invaded
England with portraits and his tonsorial achievement.
VAN HOUTEN. He was the man who put cocoa in tin boxes.
VENUS, a dream of a girl who lived long ago, posed for her
statue, and had to die after everybody fell in love with her.
Was born and painted at sea. Married at an early age. Was a
regular heart breaker. V. had an affair with one Adonis, and
later with Vulcan. Not much is known of her old-ladyhood, as
she refused to pose for statues when advanced in years.
Ambition: Parisian gowns, the love of the gods. Recreation:
Love. Address: The Louvre, Paris. The Uffizi Gallery,
Florence. Clubs: She was too good looking to be a
suffragette.
VERSONNESE, Paul, decorator of the Doges Palace, Venice, and
contributor to most galleries. His work was nearly as prolific
as Reubens, and two or three of his paintings compare favorably
with the naughty Titian.
VESPASIAN, the man who built the colosseum in Rome for the
tourists.
VESPUCCI, A., an enterprising journalist who arrived on the
scene after the discovery had been made. V. wrote the story in
such a clever manner he succeeded in cheating the discoverer
out of naming the place. (See Columbus.)
VICTOR, he was the man who put the fox terrier in front of the
talking machine.
VINCI, Leonardo Da, painted Mona Lisa for the Louvre, Paris.
His reputation has soared in proportion to the duration of her
absence. Ambition: To be the Morgan family painter.
Recreation: Looking for purchasers. Epitaph: He Has Finished
His Last Supper.
VIRGIL, an old text-book writer. Had something to do with the
AEneid.
VIRGIN, Vestal, an old maid of Rome who was locked up in the
forum for protection. She attended the gladiatorial contests
and played with her thumbs.
VITUS, Saint, dancing master whose repertoire did not include
the turkey trot.
VOLTAIRE, a Frenchman who went around with a bad taste in his
mouth.
VULCAN, fireman and tinsmith. Made a number of celebrated
forgings. Had a career like the ancients and fell in love with
Venus.
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