The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-16
Mrs. Shepherds Interesting Talk
on Hybridizing
MODERN FRENCH PAINTERS
A Careful and Sympathetic Review of
Their Work
Jerome, verestchagin De melville, Bouguer.
eau, Harrison and Others and
Their nethods


ly clever and interesting paper yesterday
afternoon in the assembly room of the
Friday Morning Club before large and
appreciative audience.
Mr.. and Mrs. McClosky are artists who
are very well known here as being en-
dowed with superior talent and are more
over remarkable in that they work to-
gether at the same time if need be, on
the same picture.
Their province in art is portraiture and
they have produced during their present
visit number of licensees of prominent
people; one OF their art directors and
friends in Paris was the great Jean Louis
Gerome, from whom they brought letter
most Complimentary to their genius on
their last return to America and ac-
quaintance with him and other emine MT
artists, both abroad and in this country,
made the paper unusually interesting, in
that it dealt with personal "reminiscences,
and was imbued at the same time with
her own naive and vivacious personality.
Mrs. McClosky commenced with few
generalities concerning the theories that
are written or spoken of art, that abound
with beautiful and plausible subtleties
and possess an Elusive charm, but which
actual practice proves very difficult to be
made applicable TO the work, and can
have but little influence with the actual
worker, the man who produces. 1t is 50
much easier to talk or write of art, it's
charms and destinations, its ability to
reach beyond the physical which God has
created, than it is to actually reproduce
semblance of this handiwork.
At the + resent time there is much dis
cussion as to what constitutes art; some
70 or,, fba 1or io oth ar
only content with that degree of finish
which is an absolute reproduction of ma
ture; while others STILL seeing the sub
ject through heaven-born genius, re-
produce it with that consummate skill
which talent, thoroughly cultured by aca-
gives to an artist. The speaker then said
that although the world of art offers
wide domain to the genius of man in the
selection of themes which he desires to
perpetuate, her purpose yesterday was to
dwell only on the requisites pertaining to
a delineation of the human figure.
OF such delineation, portraiture is
distinct branch, and is mot within the
grasp of all who paint the figure with di-
vine genius.
The artist who creates composition,
although he paints strictly the proper
tons and form of the model whom he
selects as the medium to carry his
u
theoretically exact, and yet fails to por-
tray one germ of the individuality of the
person before him; these are artists who
achieve renown in pictorial compositions.
But to produce portrait requires an
abdication of self, absolute truthfulness
and obedience to the laws of science gov
erning the outward manifestations of the
analogy existing between the brain and
the facial muscles; and not only must the
artist perceive character but what are the
essential qualities necessary for reproduce
ton in a portrait.
1t is also of the utmost Importance that
a person posing for picture should be
connection that Mr.. and Mrs. McClosky
work in such harmony, for when either
paints the other entertains the model In
this manner they save one another the
double task of playing upon the thoughts
and minds of the sitter for an outward re-
suit in the expression of the face and at
the same time concentrating the energy
requisite for the techicalities of execution.
In portraiture the ideal must be sub
Sc Went to realism, but by realism is not
of necessity meant the prosaic or COM
monplace in life. A woman is no less
real because an enchanting gown adds a
thousand fold to her beauty nor is a por-
trait less real because of the careful selec-
ton of background. The greater the
artist the more will he rely upon charm
ing with the expression of his model,
rather than by classic repose and brill
liant manual dexterity which is destined
to stand alone as monument of techni-
cal skill.
A portrait is more than artistic know
ledge; it is the mature Judgment of men
which makes the tinancer the master of
the impending crises; the personal eleva-
ton OF an artist to see those traits of ster-
ling integrity. literary attainment, or
other characteristics for which his sitter
is known to all men. and at the same
time must he possess thorough know
ledge of the requisites of his art, drawing,
anatomy, color and tone.
Mrs. McClosky then spoke of her de-
ightful memories of beautiful exchanges
of thought which have passed in their
studio during the sittings of models; of
ter; the intensity and warmth of appar-
ent light natures; the strong bonds of
friendship formed there in the few weeks
of companionship, in which lifetime of
ordinary acquaintance had been welded.
OF the notable personages who, under the
charm of relaxation from business cares,
had responded to questions artfully
planned to rouse their enthusiasm, with
some OF the finest logic and satire of the
present age. AS an instance, the speakers
gave their delightful experience with
Granville M. Dodge, whom Grant, in his
memoirs, mentions as one of the saviors
of the Union.
Following this was graphic descrip-
ton of Verestchagin. He was fellow
pupil with Mr.. and Mrs. McClosky, of
Mr.. Eakins and under Gerome; and his
as man, friend, and ar
fist were most interestingly told as were
those OF Alphonse de Melville who differs
from Verestchagin in that he painted
only the charms of war; the victorious
hero, never the slain; his were pictures of
love of country, soldiery bearing, brilliant
uniforms, .conquering troops; while the
great Russian painter showed the ghastli- |
ness, the gloom, the despair of the terrors
OF Siberia, and the horrors of war, with
that intensity and compelling force that |
great genious united to passionate love of |
country may produce.
Bouguereau S idealism was next clearly |
shown forth; his beautiful women, with
faultless compilations, no clothes 70 speak |
of and very little brains--his conception
Of nature which is to art what poetry is
to prose, enchanting by its witchery, deal |
ing with delusive, subtle side of life and
lifting the beholder to the contemplation
Of the beauties of existence-yet this
great master does not often touch the
heart but when he does,-as in his mas
terpiece which represents Mary pro-
bouncing benediction of peace over the
head of a mother, who in the abandon
nent OF grief has thrown herself at the
'eet of the Virgin while her dead baby