The record-union., 1892-06-30
PRETTY GIRLS Who POSE.
Sarony Chats About Models En-
ployed by Artists.
Many Are Forced to 1t by Adverse
Circumstances-Yet Tt Is an Honor
able Calling, and for Women Is
Fairly Lucrative and Enjoyable.

MOQGlS are Oh three cldSsSS-Lile huuOs
the demi-nude and the draped. Those of
the first category, when very close to per-
lection, command weekly income OF
from S25 to $50; those belonging TO the
second class receive about 81 every time
they pose, and the draped model earns
from so cents to 81 per hour.
''There is an idea abroad, and it is an
absolutely erroneous one, that models
are largely drawn from the theatrical pro-
fession," said Napoleon Sarony, in an
swer to question from the reporter OF
the New York AdUertiSer. "As fact,
our best models come from the ranks.
They are usually virtuous girls, having
sufficient gift of intelligence to draw
themselves out of the customary straits of
breadwinning and to adopt this calling in
the same businesslike manner as other
girls decide to stand behind counter and
sell ribbon by the yard.
''Of course, this field is only open to
those who are endowed with well-de-
yeloped, proportionate figure; who are
naturally 1.-the, graceful and agile. and
can adapt themselves to any posture
which the artist may exact from them.
Talking of models reminds me Of an III
cident which occurred very recently"
continued the well-known charcoal
sketcher. "a comely Irish girl, just in
her teens, walked, very timidly, into my
studio one morning, and asked me II
needed model l at once detected her
worth as such, she being of powerful
physique and otherwise showing the
characteristics requisite for an available
model. She was plainly clad, very mod
est in demeanor, and disrobed with great
hesitancy. She seemed very reluctant TO
pose, and when, in Enthusiastically plain
10 I -aI l,ny { Gh Ans Tn
come a model-aS it was contrary to my
policy to urge any one with entreaties-
she went into the corner OF the studio
while prepared my easel and crayons.
Alter some moments she edged, very
shyly, out of the corner and covered her
face with her hands.
''She was exceedinglybashful-a times
verging on dreamlneSs, but not at all
awkward or prudish. One could plainly
see that she had not decided TO pose from
inclination, but had been driven thereto
by sheer necessity. She afterward told
me that she had an aged mother and
minor brother depending upon her for
subsistence. For months she had earned
a livelihood in a dry goods store, but the
paltry sum for which she shaved so dill
gently was barely sufficient for the fam
lIy's support.
'.She came regularly twice a week for
three months, and each and every time
she displayed the same trepidation, SEN
sitiYenesS and repugnance. 1nwardly
she revolted against the fate which de-
creed her to exc her daily bread in this,
to her, distasteful fashion. l often sus-
pected that she would play truant, so sim
cerely did she by her entire attitude
which, remember, was not studied-im-
press me with her revulsion against being
u demi-draped model yet she persevered
with her undertaking like little bee.
One morning | noticed her face lit up
aal 0f1iyf mott nf0h oh 0NYrlH
hardly await the opportunity to speak to
me.
'''A1r. Sarony, am married.
''What a relief il was for her to re-
nounce her calling. What a joy 10 shake
off those letters and rid herself of all
odium-by wedding.
Yes, the public at large is very much
mistaken and misintormed if they at
tribute impure motives and unclean'con-
duct to our models. l remember the case
of several gentlewomen, one the sister Of
prominent Union League Club MEM
Der, who by dint of adverse circum-
stances was forced to enter this arena
and who finally became the wife of her
employer. The artist, Z. X. Harries,
married Miss Joyce-his model. MIR.
Freer did likewise, and there are numer-
Gus others whose names l unprecedented
from mentioning, who found true, faith
full life-mates in the model who posed for
them"
"Can any well-developed woman be-
come model"
"Why, yes; posing is in no sense
Science, and therefore this lucrative chan
mel offers to the unedicaJed, as well as to
the refined and cultivated, an opportun-
ity of winning the almighty gold OF
course, there are some travelling on their
shape who are perfectly cold, indifferent
and callous in posing nude, and are not
susceptible to any feeling These are the
nd af5i I'll
tricky practices of the trade to malign
and assault the good reputation of their
humber sisters, and occasionally To de-
Stroy the fame OF an artist. But this class
is very limited, and fortunately seek and
find more remuneration in other spheres
''When a guileless woman exposes her
self to man artist, ii he is an artist
thoroughly imbued with the beauty IN
art and inculcated with the grandeur of
his art, he proceeds to reproduce on paper
or canvas what in nature is beautiful
he does not see the person, the animate
being; he beholds only the grace and
sublmity of curves and outlines: the
soul rather than the flesh is transferred
on his easel, and Herewith ends his
thought.
"PIl tell something real strange that
happened to me some years ago. An
amateur artistic, a talented charcoal
sketcher, came into my studio one day,
saving: Mr.. Sarony, i admire your char
coal work so much | feel really ashamed
to make the request, it's so delicate, YOU
know, but would like to see you sketch
from the nude. Would you allow me to
pose for your
81 made an appointment with her, and
she was punctual to the minute. She
was the most perfect figure have ever
SEEN and one which [ have often said
could not have justice melted to it. Her
skin was velvety, and as clear as running
water. She was queen among women.
She acted not at ali like model, and when,
after few vigorous dashes, I had out
lined her figure, aud with inspiration
plunged into my work, could ieel that
this would prove master effort.
After / had finished the mere sketch
she left her pose, peeped over my shout
der and exclaimed: How marvellous
how you have improved my figure.
Those are in true Hogarth's lines
''She really did out-Venus Venus. 1
was bent on finishing it that day, and
when completed she implored me To give
1t to her. L could not resist her appeal,
and she took with her the master effort
of my lie. She disappeared and / have
never seen or heard of her since That
was seven years ago. What motives ever
impelled her to pose / will leave to you
TO unravel. Did she not make that sacri-
flee ut the altar of art?
When pressed for concise definition of
stperfection," referring 10 a model the
artist seemed baffled for some minutes.
not finding Immediately the proper ex-
preston Tor his thought.
ga winsome face, sweet smile. q
small bust, a light waist, not too profni-
uent hips, q pretty kneecap, weli-propor-
toned limbs and dimpled flesh. This is
as near perfection as nature treads, -. he
thoughtfully replied.