Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-07-04
miscellaneous.
Who FURNISHED THE DESIGNS FOR
BEAUTY AND STRENGTH.

LII
idiotic-looking wooden figure. whose
aptitude for assuming impossible attitudes
approaches the marvellous This figure
changes its costumes with the frequency
of fashionable belle. This lay figure
so called because it is always standing
accomplishes that which many human be-
ings fail to achieve-it subserves useful
purpose, and has a reason for its existence.
is utility has its limits, and the artists
brush and pencil need forms of flesh and
blood and bone and muscle from which to
trace the varying lines they seek to depict
From this need has arisen the existence Of
class Of professional models.
The professional model may be man. a
woman, young girl or child. The re-
quirements needed for the adoption of the
profession are the possession of good
form and the ability to retain certain
pose for certain length of time. In this
city the number Of professional models is
between 80 and 100. The greater portion
of them are young women. Of the latter
some are what are called nude models.
while others will not consent to
ea pose their forms. The men who
serve as models possess. as a rule. we'll
developed and muscular forms. They
| find employment at the Academy OF De-
sign. at the Art Students League. and in
| the private studios Of artists. The bust
ness is at best fatiguing one, and to one
who is unused to it would often entail
positive torture. The muscles of the
models are trained to the work. however.
and positions which it would be impossi-
sible for the ordinary mortal to maintain
r hx
half an hour or more. In the studios OF
artists who paint pictures in which life
and action are depicted. such as battle
pictures, there is arranged series OF
ropes and rings in which the model Is
placed and by which be is supported in
positions he could not otherwise assume.
Young women at first display great re-
luctance in assuming the profession OF
nude models. In short time. the artists
say, this timidity disappears, and the ex
hibition Of their uncostnmed form ceases
To excite in their minds the feelings at
first accompanying such display. In
conversation with an artist on this subject
he said that the young women who make
busnt IS of posing as nude models are
as truly modest and well-behaved as those
of any other business or profession. The
majority are American. at least by birth.
The numberi is not large and those who have
adopted this means of gaining iiveli-
hood have generally as many engage
ments as the arduous nature Of their en-
ploymcnt will permit. 1t is the custom
with artists, while painting picture in
which one is needed, to engage her or him
to pose for an hour or two daily. At the
expiration of the time the model goes to
the studio OF another artist with
whom an engagement has been made, and
thus in one day the model may have posed
in half dozen positions for as many diff
ferent artists. Sometimes the positions
are such that a rest can be taken at inter-
walls and the position resumed. In other
instances this cannot be done. II a cos
tune of thin texture is to be depicted in a
picture it is necessary that the model
should remain motionless, often for con-
siderable length of time, for if the posi-
ton were changed the texture could not
again be made to assume the same folds.
Some of those who act as models are
young women who have worked at other
employments. but who found that the pos
session of good form would enable
them to earn sum larger than their or
binary employment gave them. Others
are women who have at one time enjoyed
wealth, but who have been forced to seek
means of earning Il living. often not only
for themselves but for other members of
their family.
A few wears ago a wealthy merchant of
this city became a bankrupt. His mis-
fortunes affected his health so seriously
that he was unable to do anything to pro-
vide for himself or his two motherless
daughters, aged respectively 20 and
II years. The elder daughter tried
to earn livelihood by giving music
lessons and by sewing. but she could not
obtain sufficient means to keep hunger
from their door. An artist who visited a
house in which she was giving lessons
saw the Young lady, and learned her
story He sought her out and proposed
that she should become model. At first
she shrank from the proposition with nat
ural maidenly modesty, but, seeing no
other resources, gave her consent. The
artist spoke OF her to his acquaintance.
and it soon became difficult for her to fill
engagements In every studio she was
treated with respect. A year later she
married a prosperous young artist, and
now confines her sittings to her husbands
studios. Her father. who lived only a
short time. never knew the means by
which his daughter gained the money
which supported their home.
In this city there applied at the Acad
envy OF Design recently woman possess
ing very beautiful form, who asked te
be employed as model. She made only
one condition, that she might be permitted
to conceal her face. This was granted
and the new model for some time posed
regularly before the class. One day &
| member of the school was entering as she
was coming out The beautiful model
veil caught accidentally in the door ant
Tell, revealing to him the face of we'll
known society belle, who reioiced in thu
possession of an ample fortune. She saw
that she had been recognized, and neve
again appeared before the CLASSY. Y
Star.