Art: Horse Painter

Over two months ago an old man watched ship reporters interviewingcelebrities on the deck of a boat. He himself was not annoyed by their yapping curiosity. When he stepped into the streets of Manhattan, he made no comments on the U. S. women, the tall buildings or the roaring subways but looked with intense interest at two large dappled-greys whowere tugging a truck wagon along the cobbles of the waterfront avenue.

He, Maler Ludwig Koch of Austria, had been invited by the U. S. Polo Association, members of which had heard him spoken of abroad as “the finest painter of horses in the world,” to come to the U. S. and make pictures of the International Polo matches. The Association urged 500 notables to visit the studio of Artist Koch at No. 127 Fulton Ave., Hempstead, L. I. Of the 500, one came to the studio. It became obvious to Artist Koch that in the U. S., unlike Europe where his works hang in museums, where artists speak of him almost with reverence, where an invitation to his studio make its bearer glad, he was unknown. In the white cottage in Hempstead he painted polo ponies and portraits of their owners brilliantly, surely, with a perfection born of complete knowledge. Last week art critics who had forgotten Maler Ludwig Koch, painter of horses, were shamed by able polo expert for the New York World, Peter Vischer.* Expert Vischer listened to the old artist speaking of the days, long before the War, when he had lived in Vienna, ridden through misted bridle paths with noblemen in red coats and silver spurs, painted Lippiza and Kladrub, horses of the Emperor Franz Josef. Then Expert Vischer looked at some of the paintings. Always admired first by horsemen, then by artists who saw the anatomical precision, the speed and effort of the running horses, the Academician composition and texture of his work, Artist Koch was rediscovered by the World’s polo expert, whose article was printed at the head of the art section. Ignorant skeptics were convinced when they went to look at the picture of Perico, polo pony, “made,” said Artist Koch, “in a few hours and 40 years;” at the great canvas “No More War,” a picture of horses, fleeing from the sound of artillery, rearing in terror against the sharp reins of barbed wire. Artist Koch will exhibit again shortly; upon the result will decide whether to stay in the U. S. or return to Europe.

*Also editor of Polo. Mr. Vischer is considered by many to be the best polo writerin the U. S.