The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-07-18
SOCIETY GIRLS UNDRAPED.
Artists' Lovely Models From Fifth Ave-
Muo Mansions.


Mue Mansions.
New York Journal, July s.
Had a. patron of the fine arts, rejoicing
in the acquaintance of Gotham's talented
artists, sauntered into the 1orkvllie 70,
lice Court yesterday morning ne wouia
have decided at once that they were hoi"-
ing a select convention.
For among the artistic coterie present
were John La Fargo, his brother CHRISTIE
pher, Miss Mary Tillinghast, Thomas q;
Smith, the decorator; George Appeby ana
August St. Gaudens, artists, and Charles
f. Appleby, George A. Chambers and Will
liam H. Smith, who are interested III the
La Fargo Decorative Company.
The distinguished audience was brought
together by the examination OF John La
Fargo. on a charge Of grand larceny. When
Mr. La Fargo sold all his models, COM
Melted and unfinished works to the Decora-
tive Company for $4,000 he decilned TO
transfer certain photographs and sketches
Of models OF Eden-like costume to the com
pany, and for this refusal he was arrested:
Many society bellies blessed with form OF
graceful contour and exquisite beauty had
stood the trying ordeal OF beng photo-
graphed in the interest OF art. From such
lovely models did Mr.. La Fargo mould the
beauteous Venus, the lovely Galatea, the
| ravishng .Hebe and Psyche.
The professional honor OF the artist. he
claims had been pledged that the eyes OF
ordinary mortals should not gaze on the
priced collection.
To support the plea OF the defendant
! that all true artists OF repute could not III
| honor dispose OF his Photographic models,
| August St Gaudens Of No. LA west
| Thirty y-siXth street, was caiieo as VIII
| ness.
| II would not under any circumstances,
| asserted the rtistwitness, permit any
| but the profession tH view my photographs
| or sketches OF non professional models anu
much less would allow them to pass out
! OF my possession
The conscientious ST. Gaudens urthef
| declared that such an action on the part
of any artist would be highly unprofes-
sional and would subject the thoughtless
| o. unscrupuious offender to tbs scorn OF
| all his brother-artists.
| Nor would he surrender, he said, such
| pictures unless he had agreed to 40 so,
| even if he had executed artistic work 1or
other persons from models furnished by
!! them.
care not the pictures of models for sale
in art stores?' demanded Attorney Chares
| Brooke in his cross-examlnaulon.
"Most assuredly," admitted the artist;
"but they are photographs OF stage beau
ties or professional models only. No deal
| err would dare to offer for sale the photo
graphs OF many society ladies who have
| kindly, for the love OF art sat forus.
Disappointed in his cross-fire Attorney
Brooke suspended his questions.
David Johnson, whose studio is at NO.
SO East Twenty third street, was next call
ed for the defence. Mr.. johnson, who had
been in Mr. La Farges employ, stated that
! he knew the drawings included in the sale
| None were from living models, but from
| plaster casts. bronzes, prints ana portraits.
He had seen other photographs from living
| models, but these Mr.. La Fargo claimed as
personal property.
''Did you see the photograp pms from whlcn
| Mr. La Fargo modelled his figures Need,
| sorrow and Help'?" asked Mr.. Brooke.
eyes, sir" responded the Witness "Ihey
were pictures OF highly respectable ladies
who had kindly volunteered to have Their
graceful forms sculptured.
| When Mr.. Brooke carefully drew forth a
photograph and placed it before Justice
Gorman, the reporters, witnesses ana
others interested crowded around the par
eager to catch Il glimpse OF the interesting
| picture.
Several elegantly attired ladies' who were
! eagerly listening to the proceedings, hlushed
violently and then grew pale with lear ana
! apprehension.
"Great hea vensw exclaimed Lexington
avenue belle, IF it should be my likeness |
would die from shaHaeH
One beautiful brunette who saw the pro-
ceedings hastily left the courtroom.
at has been claimed that most ofthe de-
iendant's pictures were taken from ladies'
who consented to unveil all their graces OF
form.'' explained Mr.. Brooke. II wish to
show one OF these photographs to prove
that the subjects were not scantliy draped.
at is shame to exhibit these pictures
in court" angrily cried ex-Judge Ditten-
hoefer defendants counsel. 1T Is a sacrl-
lege and a sin
! One gentleman who caught glimpse OF
the photograph turned his startled face
away, calculating involuntafily:
s'Blees my soul! That beautiful young
heiress! Well, what next"
"rhat young lady is the only daughter OF
a. banker, whose palatial residence adorns
Fifth avenue, near Forty-tifth street." he
said. "She has a figure that would rival
the Venus de Medici.'
Another photograph exhibited by Mr..
Brooke was recognized as the likeness OF Il
lustrous-eyed brunette whose parents are
| among the proudest residents H Madison
| avenue.
The fair model was draped in the flowing
| costume of Greek maiden, and on her left
arm, which was nude to the shoulder,
rested a Tyre.
"We claim" said Mr.. Brooke, "that the
pictures in Mr.. La Farge's possession are
no more indelicate than this
Then the counsel reached over the bar to
| regain the picture, when the defendant, who
had been quvering with anger, quick as II
flash jumped forward and tried to wrest
the prizes from him.
| "These are mine!' exclaimed the excited
artist, land, by the eternal, I'm not going
to have professional secrets paraded before
the public!"
"Mr Brookes has not offered these
pictures in evidence" interrupted Justice
iorman. "They are in his possession, and
you must not try to get them by force
The defense asked that the pictures be
placed in evidence, but this the prosecution
| declined to do.
The case was continued to next Tuesday
at %. M Miss Tilinghast, who expected
to testify for the defence, was not placed
| on the stand, eX-Judge Dttenhoefer deslr-
ing to first examine the papers Ill the suit
brought yesterday by the La Farga
brothers. Miss Tillinghast and Charles f.
Appleby against the company for S3,6Oo.
|