New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-08
MILLET.S HOME LIFE.
NOTES OF A VISIT TO THE ARTIST AT
RARBIZON.


BARBIZON.
The exhibition Of the Hundred Masterpieces Ct
the American Art Galleries IS correct index to tho
direction Of American picture collecting for the last
ten years Yet. strangely enough, nearly all our col
lectos have been content with a most SUPERFICIAL
knowledge Of the lives Of the artists represented IN th
exhibition. The translation Of sensiers Lfe VI
Mllet" Is accessible 10 every but this unsaus-
factory work really the only biography OF any mem
Der OF this famous group which is available for English
readers sensiers Rousseau has never been trans
lated and there translatons OF the more Inn
pOrant studies OF these artists which have appearrh
in Paris. something has been done lately in the way
OF biographical work by English writer, but his re-
suits have not yet appeared in this country. II 10
strange that amateurs have been content 70 remain
without any exact knowledge for so long time, and
TO content themselves with the hirdhand Information
gathered dealers and other collectors. sensers
Met' Is familiar work, and II Is responsible ior
a false idea of Milles character. circumstances and
life. The is be found in Sensers desire 70
pose Mets benefactor and his appreciation OF tho
effectiveness OF pathetic situations and dramatic con-
trasts Thus the Miet myth has obtained popular ac'
ceptance. The facts regarding the practical anairs
OF Miet and his family have been given again ana
again without ovc7hrowing this myth. Some OF our
readers Will remember CASTOR Calmette article wneh
was translated and published in the Art News ana
Comments" of The Tribune of November 3. Therein "
was stated by members Of Millets family that after
prices reasonable for the time, and that his anars
we're comparatively prosperous. Those who have been
by the persistent gloom Of sensiers biography
will welcome a very different sketch of Miet's homo
life, which published in 1875 by his friend Aex-
andre Pedagnel.
This little book. which is entitled souvenirs OK
Barbzonr has never been translated. and the extracts
which we give will prove Of immediate interest AZ
time when we arc enabled enjoy the remarkable ex-
position of Millets art due 10 the generosity OF MI
Quincy Shaw. Mr.. W. T. Walters and other COLLECTORS
Met's invitation to W. Piedagne was gwen az an
ner I'm Paris where Rousseau Millei and the author sat
together Millet promised him sketch, some true
rustic sabots lying softly on a bed Of straw. which
would be envied by the mayor of my village. But
Won must come 10 get them"
"Whercl"
AT Barbizon. Of course. And remember that
do not love flying visits. With good grace
or bad cnace YOU must entablish yourself In my
hermitage and remain to do penance The longef
the better" Accordingly, in August, 1854 VI
Piedagnel arrived at Barbizon. little village WIN
hardly hundred houses. a true village Oh ncSn an"
,,,c,,,y.sone asnect All the doors could be
opencd from without by the first conner az higne Do
we'll as in the day time for in that happy village no
one feared thieves since no one In tho memory VI
man had one. Al O'Clock baroAoh -
asleep Before o'clock the morning all the peasants
are on their II necessary to 60 TO Work 10 tho
fields There everybody works. each one KNOWS NO"
70 content himself with little. Politics occupy NOBODY
and there is no wretched poverty 10 make the picture
sombren
one of MiIlet's visitors called his house a villa,
10 the artists great astOnishment. villa ne ca
claimed Good Heavens, my cottage Is VITA. Buo
at that my sabOts patent leather Shoes ana
nv hat bears the INDUSTRIOUS mark of Pinaud WHAT
what a strange idcap In TRUTH the writer con-
tInues the hospitable home Of the painter OF The
Cleaners docs not deserve such an affront This
nest empowered in foliage lovingly draped with
verdure and flowers, gided by the sun, iuh OF per-
fme and OF song. and where the crows even, OWNING
that they were at the home of sincere friend OF
nature became tame, and came 70 eat from fhe hshd
this nest Is really cottage more enviable as
suredly goodly number Of luxurious Villas ana
palaces. The house is large very large aithougi IL
has not that appearance but the family Is numerous
NJ Milles father had nine children, he has nine III
hi, turn all vigorous. all amabe, all adored AT dawn
this little world happy and free from care, baooies ana
prattles at will like the song birds of the neighDor-
hood In the day time the young girls work in the
depth of little wood in the shade OF the elder
trees and llacs OF the garden The hodges increasingly
echo with silvery laughter which cheers the heart
and makes life lovsble The father, in his studio,
hears these confused and charming sounds Ihey
are for him an impulse ana help. Sometimes the
artist Interrupts the sketch which he has begun, and
smiling sweetly he reflects He reflects that within
two PAGES of this beloved family, who work
and sing. are happy because he Is there and soon
Inspiration comes 10 him more brilliant than before.
IT, occasionally little lassitlde, slight discourage
mcnt weighs upon him. no throws open the door and
runs to his children. He embraces one. he plays
with another. He perceves in the shade his wife,
who works alert and smiling, and soon after, having
taken I'D his palette. comfortod and refreshed hi OF
ardent faith and enthusiasm, he signs another beauti
fl page. All the family respect the
studies and the medtations of the o
ar inacH
but no one wishes enter without permission. Even
II no special drec ton has been given the ltlsst Ike
tbc oldest of the children moderate their voices In
passing near this sanctuary OF inspiration ana Oh
only seven years old say, putting her tiny finger on
hcr rosy mouth. 'Chut Papa works.
at is at o'clock particularly, at the hour o.
patriarchal home reveals itself. Around the family
liable, which is bountfully provided, sit the chi.
dren with rumpl,d hair and smiling faces Beside
the oldest the little ones are placed. who are csTsd
for by their elders with touching soliciiude; The
tentive and interchangeable mother. have often seen
in the course of this cpast lille girl OF six feeding
seriousness truly adorable. After supper the three
oldest sisters beautiful young girls OF fiom fifteen 10
embroidery. while the painter of The sowcr and
bam SS Sne of Somand MS S ohsr times
he reads in loud voice tells fantastic stories and
all Eyes & upon sbS snG naive oy When the
evening Is fine they often taLe short walk gam
SnS ana 81 %s 's tie house, wSS
Is very picturesque, planted with pines strewn with
huge rocks covered with moss, place which the
family has named the Black Forest account Of
its savage sombre and grandiose aspect
When our author visited SIillet the latter It
work upon large Normandy landscape and thrs
decorative panels, representing spring" summer"
and Winter on the fourth day OF his visit Millet
and his guest went to see Theodore Rousseau. We
found the accomplished landscape painter I'm his
studio. the first floor. with window surrounded
with a rich garland OF ivy aforiing a delightful out
lookr The next day NJ piedagnel returned 10 Paris,
bearing the quarter hour slNch Of the famous pair
~ Sabots' and the inefaceable souvenir OF this
charming hospitality My friend. NJ Francois NH
let adds the author is before everything partisan
work and simplicity lie files from noise he docs
nnf love crnwd and This rand study. The eX&ct "