Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-07-15
ARTISTS. MODELS.

ARTISTS MODELS.
Swarthy Foreigners Who 20 to Paris
to Sock Their Fortunes--A Crate.
ful 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 I'M
interesting.
In the first place, they are nearly all
Italians, and may frequently be seen
in the streets arrayed in the quaint ma
tionas 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 50, The trade of
"model' 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 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 a 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. He
has entire charge of their movements
and receives the compensation for their
settings" 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 DIES 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 a brilliant fete, surrounded
by throng of courtiers and slaves,
dimes off salad and retires for the
night to some obscure corner of some
dngy garnet.
While it is not asserted that the fe-
male models always conform to the
sternest code of morality, it would DO
mistake to infer that they are without
standard of what to them is propriety
and improperly. Almost every one
has heard of the model who had been
posing for a 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 contidant of his employer,
the depository of the story of his aspira-
tons 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,
|
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 carly days the model found him OF
one occasion plunged in the depths o.
sadness and Encouragement.
you are annoyed" he said.
Yes"
you have thought of picture you
are not able to paint?"
Yes"
Haven't money enough?"
Yes"
The model then set to work in tn,
most delicate manner possible to in
ducc the artist to accept of his service
gratuitously. This he finally succeed
cd in doing. But arms and draperie
bad still to be supplied.
The next day the model arrived witt
the necessary articles.
Il got them at bargain" he said
You'll be able to pay me some day.
While working at his picture wit
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 t
share his breakfast. He encourage
and sustained him.
Come" he would say when the ey
and hand of the painter would gro
weary, and he would be on the point {
abandoning his work in despair, ''
will soon be finished"
When she last stroke had been give
it was the model who had the pictul
framed. He said that friend had sol
c | the frame on credit. in reality he ha