The morning call., 1894-07-08

strange vehicles are passing the magnlh-
cent residences of classic architecture.
Everything in the picture is perfect.
In pictures depicting the life of his day
he simply modified nature as he saw 1t.
But he never lost sight of his ideally and
Inn bued everything he touched with 1t.
In decorative work Boulanger was very
strong, although his productions were by
many critics considered too dignified for
their uses.
Some of the great works which Boulan-
ger has turned out are as follows: Julius
C4sar at The Rubicon," Hercules aux
nleds !e de OmphaIe;;," Flute P,syer,,,
and "Leda and the Swan" The last pic
ture is considered to be one of the best in
terpretations ever painted of the thread
| bare" subject
In his private life Boulanger was as
quiet as If he lived in the country. he oc'
cupied house on a small street OF the
Rue d'Universite, the window of which
overlooked the gardens of the Luxembourg
IL was most unpretentlOus dwelling, bul
the inside was furnished like palace.
Everywhere were marble, gilt and costly
draperies. A grandeur and richness ger
vaded the entire interior. But the studio
was a disappointment to all who saw it
One would naturally suppose that such
beautiful pictures would come into exist
ings; but such was not the case. Instead,
the studio was built for work
1t was large room, with plain hard
wood floor covered in the center by q
faded blue Turkish rug. There was only
one chair in 1t, which painters used only
occasionally. the walls were q waxeD
gray, with few unframed studies tackled
20 them. Around the room few uDtin-
lShed canvaseS were turned toward the
wall. The ceiling was unfinished, and the
rough beams of the roof were hung with
all sorts If tackle that was used to suS-
pend models in different positions. Taken
altogether it was most cherries place.
and would never be taken for the "home
of genius"
In this place art students were always
welcome, provided they would not stay
long nor talk to the master while he was
at work. When those he took an interest
in called he would lay down his palette and
talk for a few minutes. But when he took
it up again it was time to 60.
Most students when they first knew their
master got the idea that he was cranky
and cross, because he always appeared
quiet and spoke sharply and decisively.
But a greater mistake was never made.
He was, in fact, Of the most pleasant dis
position possible, and enjoyed joke t.
the utmost, even when it was on himself,
AS host in his home outside of working
hours he never tired in his efforts TO make
things pleasant for his guests. His house
was their house while they were within its
doors.
Nine. Boulanger was at one time a
famous actress in the Theatre COmique.
but on her marriage to the great painter
gave up her profession and devoted her
self to her home, and most happy one
she made it.
A. one time Boulanger took great in
terest in the public lie of the country. but
for some reason gave It up and devoted
himself exclusively to his art. However,
he wrOle some verv abe papers on the
political aspect of France that have been
quoted by eminent students OF political
economy. In the latter wears of his life
he very seldom attended anv OF the state
functions
Gustave BouIanger was born in Paris
on Angnst %. 1924, and first exhibited in
The Salon of 1857. He appeared year after
wear and in 1865 was made member of the
Legion of Honor. In 1878 he received a
secOnd-class medal. ana from that time his
progress was steady until he had the high
est hOnors that he could obtain.
B0u!anger was one OF those painters
who developed slowly, 1t being nearly
twenty years after his first picture before
he received a medal of any Kind. But his
progress never ceased and his first picture
was his m masterpiece.
Boulanger died about two years ago and
was the cause of studios all over the woT Id
being draped i'll mourning. There is no
record of the death of any artist ever
causing such grief to his brother workers
The vacant place which he left as instruc-
tor in L'Ecole des BeauX Arts and Julian
Academic has since been filled by Benja-
min Constant.