The morning call., 1891-05-23
AN ARTISTS TREASURES
A Delightful Visit to MilIet's
Studio Near Boston.

The latest ideal the most charming Of
"fadsP 1t came to me in this wise-a
breezy note of invitation from the dear. de-
lightful old home Of Frank ID. Millet said:
"a friend has made her maiden effort in my
behalf; come and see results and tea with
US"
The early afternoon train from Boston
carried several of US, rejoicing, out to the
peaceful, pretty town of East BrldgeWater,
says a writer in the Boston Globe. Arrived
at DR.. MIllets hosptable mansion. we
found an open house, a cordial welcome,
collection of carriages, people going TO ana
fro, the grounds gay with bright faces and
budding with spring beauty. while the
stately, sweet-scented pines waved an April
'Benedicite" over our heads.
Following others, Just arrived l lound
myself in the charming studio Millet built
for himself within his fathers grounds, on
terrace few rods from the house, right
among the pine5-truly a charming StudlOi
large imposing room, finely lighted.
Facing the door OF entrance, well Dack IN
the room, a deep-curtained alcOYe held
genuine New England kitchen with old
rafters hung with dried herbs and corn,
high settle, angular cupbOards, and wide
fireplace. Delicious corner Of comfort
There hung a veritable old-fas hloned
crane, from which depended the singing
tea-kettle"-a necessary adjunct Of two
charming women who were busy every
moment dispensing Caravan" tea, in its
true, pungent acidity. to the 200 or more
guests who, constantly coming ana going,
filled this artistic place-a Russian business
occupying their special corner the whole
sunshny afternoon.
Over the alc0ve a large ambitious picture
of MiIlets commanded instant attentiOn-a
grouping of Ne0pOlitan iShermen-One old
man, very strongly handled. young girl
with a passing admirer, admirably eX-
pressed, and lover in the background, his
face full Of Jealous anger and possible re-
examinations. About this group all the &C
cessOries of ropes, cOTdage, tattered sails,
etc-a picture full Of fine effects and studies.
picture 70 carry away with one" In the
front room, or study proper, above plat
form covered with gray wolf skins, hung
in the place Of honor, the object OF our de-
sires aud visit, the portrait OF the daughter
Of the house Miss MIllet, done by her
friend. Miss RYDER of MddlebOrO a pupil
of Duyeneck. Far be it from me, Il 'secu-
lar'' in art, a mere laywoman in art criti-
cism, to "air" my judgment or presume to
play the part of critic, but, OF the picture,
before which we all thr0nged and gath
cred I may say this muCh-It is wonderful
| as a first effort in pOTtTaiture, worthy or
much older student in this speciality OF art.
1t is "brown study''-hat, coat, feathers,
muff, fuTS and hneTles, gloves, everything,
| in sOftest shades Of dark brown, on green
! iSh gray ground. The face is quiet and re-
pOseful. One only misses in admlrlug II,
the genial smile which always ADDS charm
to the original Of the picture. The pose IS
delightful, and the whole study full of
graceful natuTalneS5 Which the promising
artist has shit to the life"
Farther along on the walls hung several
unframed sketches of Frank Millets, one,
very fine, of BaShi- BaZouk armed, literally.
to the teeth; besides his numberleSS war
weapons, strung in and from his gorgeous
Ill -5r1i la hal in,
sword, ready to do execution on a bound
and strapped prisoner at his feet, whose
pitiful expression is most appealing The
cOl0ring in the BazOuk's costume Is finely
blended soft yet brilliant
Opposite him hung a small study, by Miss
Ryder, Of q model, an Italian boy, in white,
with red keTchief on his dark hair, the pose
noble; Capri woman, by Millet, matched
this " bit" in cOlOring; above 1t fine car
tOOn of beautiful modelling, also his, while
on an easel rested one Of his best land
scape pictures Gn my humble mind, sketch
taken in Normandy, France, au old red gate,
with brown matched roof, trees and grass
of vivid greenness relieving and accentuat-
ing the gray and dusty road which forms
the oregT0und-abOve all soft, cloudy
blue sky, making Of the whole delicious
scheme IN color. / have long and unheSi-
tatingly enYied the dear old homestead this
charming picture
All these and many other sketches and
studies it was our great privilege to eagerly
stake in" for home memories. Think Of the
active hustle and delight Of studio full Of
chatty, pleasant people, an afternoon tea"
! il its best aspect combined with all those
| lovely creations! Ny poor pen cannot half
| do justice to it. Il was an ideal afternoon
| generous divan, odd chairs, a spinning
wheel. an Old-tme spinnet great jars Of
''pussy-willOWs," p0tted plants, rugs and
| portieres served only to enhance the more ar
tiStic charms.
The last and far from least attraction
that held the eye on leaving was a capital
likeness of our CHEEKY host Dr.. Millet. and
| another not quite finished of Mrs. Millet,
both beloved offerings of their talented son,
while under them hung a beautifully mod
eled head OF their latest grandson, by Alma
Tadema, the celebrated London painter. a
most highly priZed possession.
Turning to say goOd-by, with grateful
thanks to the originatOrs of our afternoon
pie sure, Miss Millet, radiant and demuTe
in brown" with Russian violets in her belt,
and Miss Ryder, decorated" with jacque-
minots, congratulations and her happy
smile, we felt as though only one wish, be-
sides that of gratitude, held US, and that
was, that the pretty studio, with all its in
closed values, could be transplanted to a
nearer proximity to ourselves, our friends
and the beloved Huh