Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-15

The artist restored the memorandum to
its place, resumed his seat, ard after NIL
ing his pipe. silently hid himself in cloud
Of smoke From out the blue fog his
voice sounded as though he were talking
to himself as ne continued: ''But all the
models are not professional models. A
very, very few are vain models; ladies,
who. proud Of their own loyeliness. cannot
rest satisfied until they see their charms
reflected on canvas. These are very few.
though. and in my own experience L nave
never met even one. Some scores oil Wo-
men have seen, and in this studio, too,
who had every qualification for model
except beauty. They drop into these
rooms on an average Of once month
to ask whether | want to hire a
model Some are mere school girls, one
or two are old enough to know better,
while the average would-be model Is the
Z0-year-old shop-girl whom We meet
every day on the street. They know that
models are well paid, and tired OF their
humdrum round Of work. and want TO es-
cape to more congenial employment.
One of the dress models in a Broadway es-
tablishment-a young lady employed to
try On cloaks and dresses. so that intend
ing purchasers can see how the article
looks-called in here two weeks ago.
The fact that she was a model in one place
led her TO believe that she could Is readily
pose a. an artists model. And so she
could Her figure was wonderfully well
rounded. and wanted just such form
for that group OF naiads. However, told
her Of the dangers of her position; that
her place at the Broadway store would
have to be given up, as | could not work
at night and she finally concluded to re-
main with her old employers. was glad
she choose this course, though she prom
ised il she should conclude to become a
a subject 10 let me paint her first"
at IS vanity, pure vanity" the old man
went on, shifting his position and lighting
another match. 1T is personal vanity
thai leads really respectable ladies to pose
for US. They like to feel their power over
the great crowds that hang about beautiful
paintings and rejoice in the thought that
it ; they who are giving this pleasure to
50 many. Why, the models are always
more anxious that the picture should be
good than am. But the only lady model
| have had during the past year has been
a Young married lady from Brooklyn.
Twice week she sits for me and takes
the money IN mechanical sort OF way.
| know she doesn't need it., for all she
could make in "A year would not pay for
her rich dresses and soft silk underwear.
She has the most perfectly formed form |
ever saw except upon a statue, and 1t Is
that she sits for keep up the fiction OF
pay ing her the regular price, though she
knows believe her to be rich. During
the sitting she says not a word, but watch
IS every movement and seems to gloat
over the figure as it grows upon the can
vas. Yes, she is in love with herself. |
shall steal the expression Of her face some
day and call it Narcissc. Does her hus-
band know she is a model? My dear sir, |
tell YOU curiosity is fatal to an artist. |
would not dare ask him." and with Il
sphinx-Iike smile the cynic artist tapped
his pipe on his slipped foot aud yawning
geyc notice that the subject wearied him.
Non York U,Orid.