The New York herald., 1874-08-25
American Ladies in the Studios Of
the French Capital.
Mrs. Imogen Robinson MOrrell and
Miss E. j. Gardner.
'"THE FIRST BATTLE Of THE PURITANS." /"
M. Chapelin's School and
Nj. Julian's Studio.

PARIS, August o. 1914
There are not many American ladies' at present
studying painting In Paris. but among the few who
are now residing here several may fairly claim tho
highest rank In their profession. At the head OF
them should be named
MRS MoGxs ROBINSON MORRRE-
from Boston, who 10 q model for students BY rea-
son OF the quiet, earnest perseverance with which
she has devoted twelve years OF labor and genius
TO the study OF her art in Europe. She has not
spent her time unprontably and the brilliant sue
cess which she nas obtained BY her two large his
torical pain tings which have just been completed
will encourage others who still struggling
the obstacles which she has surmounted. Mrs.
Robinson Morrell arrived in Europe when tho DIM
culties In the way OF American lady students
were much more perplexing tnat they arc
now. There was, indeed, strong prejudice against
them, and the greatest masters OF their profession
were by no means disposed to meet them on equal
terms as fellow laborers. Sometimes they met
with levlty, sometimes with downright Yudeness,
and even men who made unusual pretences 70
liberanty OF thought considered 1t moro or less
witty TO ask them It they were acquainted with
the componen. parts OF q plum pudding or
whether they knew anything OF the uses Of the
needle. Mrs. Robinson M0rreli, however, had .
certain simple dignity OF manner which checked
impertinence and foreigners who felt sinclined to
be funny at her expense were abashed by her
talent and her perseverance. She went first 70
Dusseldorf and worked there for two years under
the guidance Of Schroeder ana OF Camp
hansen. From the former she gained the
principles Of spirited composition which
have rendered him celebrated as de-
signer; from Camphausen she acquired that
enthusiasm for horses which still characterizes
this master, now that he is court painter TO the
Tyv%n cfH Harv AfSav cAn had an
the lessons which could be OF use TO her az DIS
seldorf Mrs. Morrel came to Paris with her friend
MISS GARDINER, OF NEW HAxPsHrRE,
whose picture OF 'Cortnne" attracted 50 much at
tenuon at the exhibition In the Palace Of Industry
this year. At thas time there was no studio in
Paris where ladies could study from an undraped
model; but understanding that thorough knowl-
edge OF anatomy Was necessary TO enable them to
draw the human figure In motion, these ladies',
with great courage and good sense, opened an
evening class in . studio OF their own. TO this
school, which was admirably conducted, gentle.
men who had received medals at the
Ecoie des Beaux Arts and at the Salon
were permitted to come and we're eager to avail
themselves OF that permission. Prejudice has,
however. now, in . measure, given way to intenl-
gence on the delicate point at issue as 20 whether
ladies should or should not De allowed to draw
length admitted that such studies are needful for
all serious ngure painters, be they men or women.
Mrs. Morrell, during her residence In Paris, has
been q pupil Of Couture, and has enjoyed the
same advantages as hts other pupils. few years
since she made q copy from his masterpiece which
Is the glory oil the gallery OF the Luxembourg, LA
Decadence Romance
Such c0nscIent ti0us work as hers employed to
cultivate sucn unusual natural gifts has az length
enabled Mrs. Morreu to compose and paint
TWO EXTRAORDINARY PICTURES
which viii soon be exhibited In New York. M.
Kn oedler, the Goupil OF America will publish the
exquisite steel engravings which have beef taken
from them; and it Is more than probable that
American patriotism and wealth VIII place the
originals where they properly belong, in the ma
tionai CAPITOL at Washington. Hundreds Of vtsi.
tors have already Gocked to see these noble his.
torical paintings, which are the fruit OF three
years. ceaseess toll, guided by natural genius and
o consummate art.
1.-THE FIRST BATTLE OF TIE PURIrANs"
Ii the subject OF the picture which chiefly inter-
ested me- as being connected with the early history
OF the English IN America The date to which
1t refers is 1921, when the Pilgrims, who
were to be the pioneers OF such q mighty
civilization, had just planted their feeble SETTLE
ment on the banks Of Massachusetts, Bay. Alrea dy
tue luuldub udQ Dexuu 10 udIdSS Lueu, aQQ MueS
Standlsn, the grandest figures Of that far OF
time, in command OF only eight soldiers, had
marched out to pGrlcy with the savages. Long
Ielow has described In immortal language the
episode from which the ncid0ats OF this picture
are taken. The scene is an Indian encampment
''pftched on the edge OF meadow, between the
sea and the forest. Women at work by the tents
aud warriors horrid with war paint, who, when
they saw the SUDDEN approach OF the white man
saw the fash OF the sun on breastplate and sabre
and musket-straiqhtway leaped TO their feet; ana
two from among them, advancing, came to parley
with Standlsh ana offer him furs as q present.
Friendship was in their faces, but in their
hearts was hatred" yexed that he would
give them no powder, which they naturally
asked Tor after the manner Of savages, two
brothers Insulted Standish taunted MIN with his
little stature and bsde him go work with the
women. This enraged the choieric Captain, who,
seizing knife, returned blow for the insult, and
the savage fell at his feet The Indians then sent
q shower oil arrows from behind the trees, and
Standish's men replied with discharge which
killed the chef
Each detail Of this history is vividly rendered by
the painting. In the background stretches the
wide sea which separates the Pilgrims from their
home. Beside them are magnificent trees OF the
primeval forest. Indian tents are pitched under
their branches, the frightened savages are crouch
ing beneath them Tor shelter and shooting theil
arrows from under cover. In the centre OF tnt
picture is Miles Standlsb, stalwart ana statel!
ngure He wears his helmet breastplate anc
sword. An Indian Interpreter by his side Il
speaking to him with an aspect meek and sub
dued, put wondrousy cunning. At their feet III
the two brothers--one with his face upturncd to
ward the heavens and still with the hues 0
death; the other in his last agony, clutching th
earth az though to keep 1t from the white man
In the foreground bank Of carefully painted wilt
Mowers, accurately carrying out the poet
description, relieves the severity Of the subject
The composition Of this Interesting picture show
an anxious study OF the customs and costumes o
period, while Its execution displays a thorough
mastery OF all the difficulties OF great art.
''wAsHINGTos WELCOMING THE PROVISION rRArSsi
Is another picture painted by MRS. Robinson Nor
rel, and quite equal to the former one both in