Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-12-07
The PRIZE OF ROME.
An Annual Award by the French Govern
ment For Art Works.

An Annual Award by the French Govern
ment For Art Works.
The French nation has for many years
owned a handsome palace in the Eternal
City, as Rome is frequently called. This
is known as the Vile de Medioi. Il is a
beautiful building. standing in the mid
de Of a garden filed with statuary and
enc old trees. commanding a view Of
the famous old city and fitted up with
superb furniture, tapestries and pictures,
the remains Of the former greatness Of
the once powerful Medici family, who
for 30 many years were high in the POI
litical affairs Of Italy. Here each year
are sent four young Frenchmen - a
painter, a sculptor, an architect and a
carver II precious stones. These lads are
chosen by competition held at the
School Of Fine Arts in Paris every
spring. The examinations are very
searching, and the successful candidates
are greatly envied, as well they may be,
for, having won their honors, they are
housed, fed and provided with a studio
and an ample sum Of money TO pay their
expenses for four years - all by the
French government.
So it viii be seen that it is no small
honor 10 have passed successfully
through the ordeal, for not only is the
opportunity for the delightful life under
such splendid conditions to be desired,
but the youth who gains the distinction
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more a marked man. His work is watch
ed for, his future progress is noted, and
his career may be said to be definitely
made. The conditions under which the
examinations are made are very strict.
Preliminary trials take place early i'll
the season. All who desire to enter in
scribe their names at the government
school. OF course only French lads may
try. For tho painters, a subject is given
out-perhaps some incident from the
Bible, or an episode from a mytholog-
ical story-and sketches are made by the
students.
Twenty Or thirty of the most promis.
ing sketches are selected, and the young
men thus chosen are notified These lads
then make drawings in charcoal of the
subject.
Another selection is made, and those
chosen then make paintings. This time
ten canvases are selected and their au-
thors go, as they say in French, en- loge,
which means that each man of the ten
enters a small studio, where are an easel
and materials for work, and he is al
lowed such models as are necessary to
complete his picture. His first sketch of
the subject given out is handed to him,
and from this he must make painting
about 3 feet by in size. He is not al
lowed to make any material changes in
his composition, but must keep very
closely to his original design. Outside
his door sits an employee of the school,
known as guardian, whose business
it is to see that the student receives nc
help, nor may he leave the building,
save under charge of this sentinel, who
is watchful and keen and not to be tri-
fed with. Three weeks arc ailowed in
which to complete the work. Then the
ten canvases are placed in frames. The
works are the same size every year, and
the old frames do duty over and over
again.
Now is an anxious period while
jury composed of distinguished artists
deliberate ON the merits Of the works to
determine the order of their excellence. /
Finally day comes when all is ar
ranged. The ten pictures are placed in a
gallery of the school, and each is num-