Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-01-30
THE PRIX DE ROME.
To Win 1t Is the Ambition OF Every Young
French Artist

French Artist.
The Prix de Rome is an annual prize
offered by the French Government
From concour, open only to native
Frenchmen under thirty years of age,
one painter, one sculptor, one architect,
one engraver and one musician are sent
annually to Rome for a period OF four
years. To win the Prix is the ambition
of every young artist, and while France
may have great painters, sculptors,
architects, engravers and musicians who
have never enjoyed its advantages,
nearly all have competed, the. oy profit
ing by the discipline it imposes.
The most casual glance at the advan-
tages of the Prix justices the labor its
competition exacts. On quitting Paris
for Rome the Government gives each
winner 900 francs ($12O) to defray the
expenses of the journey. Each is al
lowed annually $50 francs ($702), pay
able in monthly installments, and with
in prescribed limits they are reim-
bursed for the materials they use. At
the expiration of four years each re-
ceives 600 francs from the funds Of the
Academy Of France at Rome, to return
to Paris.
During their sojourn at Rome they
are exempt from military service, and
are forbidden to marry, to return to
France without special permission, to
voyage from Rome without authorize
tion or to work for money. In the splen-
did palace, the Villa Medicis, purchased
by Napoleon l., the Prix de Romes live
ensemble and lead the ideal life of the
days of Lorenzo the Magnificent. The
villa is under the control of director,
who must be a painter and member OF
the Inttitute of France. He is appointed
by the Chief of State for period Of six
years, and is chosen from three candi-
dates presented by the Beaux-Arts
The director has the same social posi-
tion as the Ambassador, and in the lat
ter's absence he discharges his duties.
Only an artist of fortune can accept the
honors of the position, which requires
much entertaining, to sustain which the
salary is insufficient There are never
at one time more than twenty students
at the villa. They dine at common
table, but each has his chamber and
atelier. Like white Gothic temples the
ateliers are scattered amid the splendid
foliage Of the ancient gardens.
The course of study is prescribed.
The students have free access to the
libraries and museums of the villa, and
every day except Sunday and fete days
the living model poses two hours. The
art treasures Of Rome are at their dis
posal, and they are permitted to travel
into Italy, Sicily and Greece. The mu.
ssicians, who are sent but once in two
years, may spend half their time in
Germany. Every facility to attend con-
cert oratorio and opera is provided.
Architects on starting for Greece re-
ceive 500 francs ($16O) Any thing more
ideal, more inspiring, than the daily
life at the Villa Medicis could scarcely
be conceived.
Relieved of every material care, the
students pass their four years in daily
commune with the best expressions oi
the best thoughts of all ages, for thu
perception and appreciation of which
they have been prepared by life o
study and the inherited traditions o
centuries. 1t was in the Villa Medici
that Gounod wrote Faust" The socia
life is as delightful as the artistic
Saturday evening the villa receives it
friends, when classic music, brillian
repartee and the cultured ease of al
ideal gentleman's club prevail. Scarcel,
great artist or musician comes t.
Rome without partaking of or contribu
ting to the pleasures of the Prix d.
Rome.-L. R. McCabe, in Lippincott'
Magazine.