The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-07-08
ARTISTS MODELS.
Swarthy Foreigners Who go to Paris
to Sock Their Fortunes-A Crate
full Painter.

full Painter.
The announcement that the Models
of Parts will hereafter indulge in an an
nual ball like other recognized trades
and professions reminds me, writes a
correspondent of the New York Graph
&c, that few details regarding this GU
rious class of people may not prove un-
interesting.
In the first place, they are nearly all
Italians. and may frequently be seen
in the streets arrayed in the quaint ma
tional costumes which are no longer
worn in their native land, but which
serve to distinguish them and catch the
eye of the artist. There are now so
many of them that they sometimes find
it difficult to obtain employment. but
the price for sitting still ranges
from between 81 to SO, The trade of
''moder' is not such an easy one as
might at first be supposed. 1t takes a
long time to learn to keep the pose. "
Few physical feats are more difficult
for the tyro than to hold the arm raised
or the leg bent in the same position for
two hours and over with only a few
seconds rest at intervals.
The models are most always associat-
ed in bands. The man with the heavy
gray beard who poses for the heads of
saints, warriors and historical subjects
is the leader He usually has under
his control number of children who
have been intrusted to him by their
parents in Italy, to whom he pays
wages and whom he is obliged to send
home at the end of a fixed time He
has entire charge of their movements
and receives the compensation for their
''sittings" from the artist Nothing
can be more peculiar than the habit of
those who compose these swarming
colonies of swarthy foreigners who
come to Paris to seek their fortune
They live in the most sordid way. fire.
quently in the neighborhood of the
Jardin des Plantes, and generally take
back with them almost intact at the
end of few years whatever they have
been able to earn. They live in COM
mon with hundreds of Italian moul-
ders, sidewalk merchants, pifferari, and
dealers in small wares, who are also
brought to Paris by some manager or
leader.
1t is interesting to note the contrast
between the lives of the models in the
studio and the wretched surroundings
amid which they find themselves when
the days labor is ended. The princess of
an hour ago, decked in the most costly
robes, and who, on the canvass, is pre-
siding over brilliant fete, surrounded
by throng of courtiers and slaves.
dimes off salad and retires for the
night to some obscure corner of some
dingy garret.
While it is not asserted that the fe-
male models always conform to the
sternest code of morality, it would be
a mistake to infer that they are without
a standard of what to them is propriety
and improperly. Almost every one
has heard of the model who had been
posing for nude figure, and con-
sequently was in the costume of Eve be-
fore she took to fig leaves. Suddenly
discovering that man, who had been
mending the roof, was watching her
through a skylight she blushed deeply
and, in great perturbation, hastily seiz-
ed and donned whatever garments lay
within reach.
The model, from the nature of his
calling, often becomes the humble
friend and confidant of his employer,
the depositary of the story of his aspira-
tions and his struggles. He becomes
interested in them, and frequently gives
advice which is not always ridiculed.
At the Ecole DIES Beaux Arts there are
models who have served several genera
tions of artists, and have interesting
stories to tell of many who have since
become celebrated. A certain painter,
now rich and well known, owes his
fortune largely to an old model, and has
the good sense not to be ashamed of it.
In early days the model found him on
one occasion plunged in the depths of
sadness and Encouragement.
''You are annoyed" he said
"Yes."
you have thought of a picture you
are not able to paint?"
yes"
Haven't money enough?'
YES"
The model then set to work in the
most delicate manner possible to in
duce the artist to accept of his services
gratuitously. This he finally succeed
ed in doing. But arms and draperies
had still to be supplied
The next day the model arrived with
the necessary articles.
Il got them at bargain" he said.
you'll be able to pay ME some day."
While working at his picture with
the greatest industry and enthusiasm
the artist almost suffered for the neces-,
saries of life. He was often hungry,
and the old model invented the most in
genious pretexts for inducing him to
share his breakfast. He encouraged
and sustained him.
Come" he would say when the eye
and hand of the painter would grow
weary, and he would be on the point of
abandoning his work in despair, sit
will soon be finished"
When she last stroke had been given
it was the model who had the picture
framed. He said that friend had sold
the frame on credit; in reality he had
used nearly all the savings of years in
its purchase.
The painting, the result of so much
toll on the one hand and so much noble
generosity on the other. was exhibited
in the salon of 1876 and proved an i'm
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