The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-06-20
ARTISTS, MODELS.
where They Live aud what becomes
of Them.
fn.iiy faranhic1

ARIIHTS' MOUEb.S.
where They Live aud what becomes
of Them.
tDaily GraphIcl
PARIS, May lO.-The announcement that
the "Models" of Paris will hereafter indulge
In an annual ball like other recognized
trades and professions reminds me that a
few details regarding this curious class Of
people may not prove uninteresting.
In the first place, they are nearly all ftal-
ians, and may frequently he seen In the
streets arrayed in the quaint national cos
tunes which are no longer worn In their ma
tive land, but which serve TO distinguish
them and catch the eye OF the artist. There
are now so many Of them that they some.
times find II difficult to obtain employment,
bnt the price for a "sitting" still ranges
from between 81 to So. The trade Of
"model" Is not such an easy one as might
at first be supposed. II takes a long time TO
learn how TO "keep the pose" Few physi.
cal feats are more difficult for the tyfo than
TO hold the arm raised or the leg bent in the
same position for two hours and over with
only n few seconds rest at intervals.
The models are almost always associated
in bands. The man with the heavy gray
beard who poses for the heads OF saints,
warriors, and historical subjects Is the
leader. lie 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 fixed time. lie has
entire charge Of their movements and receives
the compensation for the Settings" from the
artist. Nothing can be more peculiar than
the habits of those who compose these
swarming colonies Of swarthy foreigners who
come TO Paris to seek their fortune. They
1t.u t,,s n,ls L.
the neighborhood of the Jardin des Plantes,
aud generally take back with them almost
intact at the end Of a few years whatever
they have been able TO earn. They live in
common with hundreds Of Italian moulders,
sidewalk merchants, piferari, and dealers
In small wares, who are also brought TO
Paris by some manager or leader.
II Ia interesting to note the contrast be-
tween the life 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 canvas, Is presiding over n brilliant fete,
surrounded by throng of ceurtiprs and
| slaves, dimes off salad aud retires for the
night to some obscure corner of a dingy
garrett.
| While II is not asserted that the female
models always conform to the starnest code
of morality, IL wonld he a mistake TO infer
that they are without standard of what to
them is propristy and impropriety. Almost
every one has heard of the model who had
been posing for a nude figure. and conse.
quently was in the costume Of Eve before she
took TO fig leaves. Suddenly discovering
that a man, who had been mending the roof,
was watching her through skylight, she
blushed deeply, and, in great perturbation,
hastily seized aud donned whatever gar
ments lay within reach.
The model, from the nature of his calling,
often becomes the humble friend and conf
dant Of his employer, the depository of the
story Of his aspirations and his struggles.
He becomes interested in them. and fire.
quently gives advice which is not always
ridiculed. At the Ecole des Beaux Arts
there are models who have served several
generations Of artists, and have interesting
anecdotes to tell II many who have since be
come celebrated. A certain painter, now
rich and we'll known, owes his fortune
largely to an old model, aud has the good
sense not to be ashamed oft.
In the early days the model found him on
one occasion plunged in the depths of sad
ness and encouragement.
"Y0n are annoyed, he said.
eyes,"
"You have thought of picture you are
not able to paint -
eyes,"
"Haven't money enough ?"
"Yes."
The model then set to work in the mos
delicate manner possible to induce the artis
! to accept Of his services gratuitously. Th
he finally suocsedsi in doing. But arm
and drapelies had still to be supplied.
} The next day the model arrived with tn
necessary articles.
III 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 artis
; almost suffered for the npcessaries of life
; He was often hungry, and the old model il,
vented the most ingenious pretexts for in
'ducing him to share his breakfast. He en-
couraged and sustained him.
"Come," he would say when the eye an
, hand of the painter wonld grow weary, an
! he would he on the point OF abandoning hi
work in despair, sit will soon be flushed.
When the last strOke had been given 1
was the model who had the picture framed
He said that friend had sold the frame o.
4 credit in reality he had used nearly all til
! savings of years in it's purchase,
. The painting, the result of so much toi
I ON the one hand and such noble generosii
, on the other, was exhibited in the Salon Q
!. 1876 and proved an immense success. TINA
t readily be imagined that the artist took car
to repay his humble friend for the advance
l made, hut there are some services who
9 money will not pay for. The model who In
sisted on continuing to follow his old trad
= in spite of the artists offer to give him
sufficient yearly allowance for life, is to da
the always welcome guest In the latter
o family, and visitors to the house must b
u willing to place him on footing Of squalit
Q with themselves II they wish to insure thei
q own welcome. In proof Of this II Is SAID tina
h the artist recently refused oommissio
from an American millionaire because th
8 latter had put some slight upon the faithfr
old friend.
Il IL scarcely necessary to add that a
= those who follow this curious calling are nj
al, La.nolala1I Of dalinaau nd dauniinn