New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29
IN A PARISIAN STUDIO.
NJ. AMAN-JEAN AND HIS WORK

| Paris. September 3.
From Paul Bartlett's workshop and studio II is
not far down the steep. gardengrt lanes OF charm
ing Pussy TO the river. We embark on one OF the
pleasant little steamers for swift sunny rlde
over glIttering waters under echolng bridges, past
sunllt riverside Industries. arstocratc old quays
With bullying embankments and ieafy popars grow
ing I'm the gravel below. The house II passed. the
Old auAys with the bOokstalls under the plane
trees Notre Dame. the cite. the warehouses; ana
sluces. We land on the s.. Louis. our next station
In our varied peregrnatons round Paris. There
may he legitimate doubts as TO the advisability OF
sending callow art students TO battle with the
formulas OF the Parlsan schools there can be no
doubt as TO the charm OF Paris as place or abode
for any artist young or old. OF independent tenn
permanent The artists are scattered all over Paris
! I'm large colonies little clusters. Sometimes II is
chance that first decided the abiding place, some
times choice; but they all to strike root and
flourish and assimiate something helpful. the calm
! OF contemplation the fever OF work, or the
stimulus OF life, or the encouragement or lives
gone by.
II is only rarely that the first choice is mistaken
and that they have 70 on generally they
strike root like the old trees and become part OF
the life around them and loudly proclaim their
quarter the only one for an artist.
| NJ Aman-Jean is the object OF our search to-day
in this picturesque old quarter OF deserted river
side palaces That riverside palaces with roomy
|
old rooms should be neglected for crowded fats in
noisy quarters seems hard TO understand when one
rambles round on summers day and leaves all
practical considerations and historical explana
tOns out OF the question; but so much the better
for the artists. especially for those OF NJ. Aman-
Jeans stamp. His refined and delicate painting is
known to readers Of The Tribune. that | need
not formally introduce him. But may remind the
reader In passing OF his picture. a portrait OF his
| wife. at the Luxembourg II is a threc-quarter
length the figure is ted. and IN profile: she is
dressed In soft dark red. soft bands OF dusky hair
| shade a delicate. sensitive face.
In the studio there H. nothing new but the artist
was found al work ir NJ Besnard's studio on a
portrait OF his friend, NJ. Besnard who Is 10 paint
his in return. / believe. Some Of the most interest
ing OF modern portraits due TO this pretty little
interchange OF artistic courtesles. Many readers
will doubtless remember II. Aman-Jesn's own bus,
By his friend NJ. Jean Dampt. OF this artists
very best renderings.
There was much pleasant and congenal talk In
the big room with the tall old-fashioned windows
looking out on the quay. The painter was full
OF his decorative work for Mr. Bling. who proposes
10 give the artists an opportunity for showing the
public what they do in decorative work NJ.
Aman-Jean Is to have small room TO himself
Those who know his subdued. refined rsnderings OF
poetic subjects. his love OF the sea. OF flowers OF
beautiful stus. OF ladies' in gardens will under
stand how much the project interests him. and will
be interested 10 near MS IDEAS ne talks OF a
panel OF mermaids In the green let
into the wall and with carved and gile frame
which ne considers necessary for decoration While
ne was talking / spied small canvas. a mist %
tender. pale bue-green and white. which might
be a vague first sketch OF the color scheme Any
how 1t pretty; but 1t proved 10 be only
scraped down canvas. This led TO discussion
the artists mode OF painting He told me tina,
he always paints In clean coors and strong tints
which he Afterwards combines with very deli
cate overpainting OF silver gray
He has been commissioned TO make some curtains
for the Gobelins. That In pleasant news for
It is sad fact. which must be openly admitted,
that the modern French tapestry is very seldom
successful For all Its costliness and the boast that
the makers have returned to the good Cd methods
OF weaving-i q. with coulturs ranches not broken
tints-it Is not satisfactory | saw some pictures on
the loom AT the Gobeiins that were perfect In
stances OF what ought to be avoided and at the
time the most perplexing puzzle OF another
kind. or what use are al the art museums Of
which We hear much " these atrocities