Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-12-10
THE Y. NJ. c. A. SHOCKED.
= washington Ancident-Naked Model
Glass IN the Christians Build
iuE-HOw Models are oh
tanned in Washington.

Washington Post: 1t is not generally
known that there has been formed IN this
city a class OF young artists who are study
ing from living models The attempt made
last winter to carry into execution an idea OF
this kind was only Partially successful, but
through the energetic efforts OF Mr.. l.. Clar-
euce Messer the president OF the club, the
plan has received a promising inauguration.
The class was formed few weeks ago, and
rooms were rented 10 the Young Mems
christian association building. These were
fitted up in a suitable manner and at some
expense. Gashghts were arranged around
the room so as TO throw the best light upon
the easels of the artist students, and at the
same time to show off the model to the best
advantage. These necessary improvements
were completed last week, and the class at
once took possession of its rooms. They had
only worked two nights, when the Young
Mems christian association seemed to nave
become enlightened as TO what the artists
were doing, and in holy horror at having
naked figures exposed in their building, even
for the purpose of art, Immediately served
notice upon the club. who were forthwith
compelled to vacate. They have now secured
rooms In the St. Cloud building, at the cor
ner of Ninth and + streets, where they
nope to study and pant unmolested.
A reporter of the Post interviewed yester-
day Mr.. George w. Forsberg, a well known
artist and a member of the club, from whom
some interesting facts were gained concern
ing the purposes of the organization, and
about the living mcdels.
How many members has the club?" ask
ed the Post. ,,
reply. They are young men who have
painted from life in London, Pans and Der
i'm while abroad, and who wish to continue
their studies at home. You know that last
winter we formed such club here, but it
was not very well known, and we had but
few members.
"How do you obtain your models!"
1--WE have a committee who is appointed
to select them. OF course anybody and
everybody would not do, for we must have
only those who forms are perfect In every
particular. Applicants for the position are
examined by the committee, and if they suit
they are at once engaged.
But do you not have some difficulty In
getting applcants?"
eve have mere trouble here in Washing
ton than we would have in New York or
Philadelphia. In those cities there are men
and women who are trained for this work, and
are models by profession, but here nothing OF
the kind exists.
'Are not your models necessarily selected
from the demi-monde?
mot at all; for while we have many ap-
plications from that class. we refuse all of
them. On the contrary, our model at present
is a woman of responsibility, who has taken
this up because she has no other work.
Sometimes no one but the committee know
who the model is. Last winter the female
model we had sitting for US wore a mask,
and would not know her On the street were
to see her now"
"How much do you pay these mOdels?"
"We pay the men from two dollars to two
dollars and fifty cents per night; but the
women are paid as high as three dollars
for each sitting. The models are posed be-
hind a screen to represent the SUBJECT we
want to sketch. This screen Is then re-
moved and we go to work. The models re-
main IN position for about half an hour, and
then rest for ten or fifteen minutes"
Have you applications from ladies to join
your CLASP"
Eyes, certainly; but at present we have
daughter of a cabinet officer, and another of an
honored scientific professor, recently de-
ceased, who are studying privately from liv-
ing models"
DO you think this familiarity with total
absence of costume is injurious to the morals
of the young men? ?"
''No at all; for the artists come to the class
to sketch or paint and leave. They do not
speak to the models, and none of them would
ever sacrifice his social position-for all OF
them are known in society circies-by COM
hitting any misdemeauor. In Germany,
where | studied, we had professor, who,
before we commenced to work, would give US
a lesson on the physiology of the body, ex.
planning to the class the names and uses Of
the muscles, etc. We have no professor here,
but are going to secure the services OF one as
soon as possible"