New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
ARTISTS DINNERS.
THE REIGN OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP IN
PARIS.

PARIS
Paris, June g.
This has been a week OF artists banquets The,
have dnci among themselves with closed doors
ara said nice things TO each other; they have dined
with open doors and made speeches, IN which they
sad even nicer things OF one another The air has
been full OF compliments and bon mcts
Al me fourth annual dinner OF the Societe Ma
tionale des Beaux Arts at the Champ de Mars
early in the last week, special importance was
given to the speech made by the Minister OF Fine
Arts and the presence of several prominent mem
bers OF the oder Salon. NJ Ramboud in his
speech. referred to the presence OF VI. Donna, and
NJ De:aile. and his toast to The Glory OF
French Art and the Cr-on OF It's Artists" This
was responded 10 in the same vein by NJ Carolus-
Duran and also by NJ. Detaille who spoke for his
confreres OF the old Salon. This evidence of frank
good-comradeship and avoval Of unity OF purpose
contrasting strongly with the bitterness that
existed five years ago, when the split in the art
world occurred. has encouraged many to hope that
the breaking away Of the younger element from the
parent tree was only temporary The fusion
OF the two Salons would undoubtedly mean de-
crease In the number Of works exposed but n would
at the same time present to the public a higher de-
gree OF excellence. As for the ambitious young
artist. the diminution Of tine number of PICTURES
received would make him strive the harder and
place more value acceptance. This Is. OF
only a possibility but one eagerly commented on.
The most important complimentary banquet given
10 an artist since the memorable one in honor OF
Puvis de Chevarnes two years ago took place on
Thursday evening TO celebrate the awarding OF the
Medaille dHonneur 20 NJ. Benjamin Constant This
prize. which is bestowed every year by the Govern
ment on some distinguished member OF the old
Salon. is not given simply in recognition OF the
merits OF his work OF that particular year. but Is
tho Governments acknowledgment and token of aIN
probation OF his lifes work. In the present in
stance however. the recipients two canvasses-one
.prra -vafs Of
his Andre. which has been bought by the State
for the Luxembourg Gallery-werc popularity re far,
al as the gems OF the Champ Elysees. Although
many older men and a few perhaps equally dis
tnSuished passed in giving the award
this year there has been little comment adverse 70
NJ benjamin Cons tant's claim TO IT, The of
Constant is old and illusrious one. I, will be
remembered that there was another benjamin
! Constant a distinguished politician and writer Of
the last century. The family is Constant. but
Of recent years the artist has hyphenated his two
The Constants were among the Protestant
nobility of the fifteenth century. but when the Edict
of Nantes revoked. branch of II enigrated
the painter being descended from the side OF the
family that remained French and Catholic.
He has a charming hotel butt in the shape Of
three sides OF a about court. The broad
entrance is in the centre opening side TO the
reception room. and the other leading UP short
broad stairway the artists studio The studio IL
a large quietly hung with few rich draperies.
and with no sign OF TIE usual artistic liter and IN
tidine-ss TIE glare Of light that expects in a
studio and II sitter. trembles before IS in
this case softened into dfused light and restful
shadows There are no accessories that suggest the
painter OF Oriental subjects; these are apparently
put away for a time ar least but II is an Ideal
studio for portrait painter who poses his subjects
in the surroundings Of a refined drawing-roon- The
eases are occupied by portraits. and one notes with
interest the several unfinished studies of his son,
earlier suggestions for the portrait now in the Salon
The same quiet scheme Is carried out in the draw
ing-room a large high room, entirely hung with
gobelin tapestries and containing few bits OF
sculpture and immense iligree copper urns and
vases Of Eastern manufacture. The whole sur
roundngs seem to form harmonious setting for the
picture the wall. large portrait Of Nine
Northumberland in a ow-necked black gown
She IS beautiful. MISUNDERSTANDING woman with
a fair skin and pompadour Of irOn-gray hair. and
this picture the success OF q Salon few years
ago This portrait and the of his son, Andre
which mentioned above are PROBABLY the artists
finest achievements in portrait painting They are
evidently labors Of love we'll as portraits OF two
remarkably interesting subjects.
The subject Of artists banouets IS by no means
exhausted and the unpretentious affair given by
Ger0me's students on Saturday night awning
covered restaurant overlooking the Seine illustrates
anew the feeling of good -comradesnp and respect for
the that seem Characteristic OF the Gerorne
ateer. Gerome IS the doyen of the BeauX
Arts and the list or from MS COHi-
prises many already noted names. At the head OF
the table sat the master. With the older members
OF the alumni on either side The gray mars ue-
creased as glanced down the board 10 the young
pupils at the foot. Dagnan- Bouvers-t CouTols.
Bullet Meunier Wencher and Andre CaStaigne were
among the known Frenchmen present, ana the group
representing the American graduates OF the ateier
included F. A. Brfdgenan, William Ieftwich-Dodge
and Louis Loeb.
The dinner began early and ended early, 70 suit
Gerome's wishes, but II was as flll CT fun as
was, he always is Ike a boy. and when they
lose him from these gatherings his pupils VIII
feel like old men He more a host than
guest He started the fun by urging a young pupiI.
whose cleverness in this direction he had probably
observed 10 give his Of limitations the cream
OF which is GerCme crticfsinS class GU &c
VOLTA Pas NAL! Pas mall Continuez conunuez."
The next make the youngest man IN the
started the singing and the recitation Of studio
"reminiscences
Gerome is thoroughly academic, and yet hts
sIna1T a aas Mars men Il IS ssd that when his f
vorite pupil Dagnan, Joined the Meissonier party
he went TO him and reproached him for his de-
Put mon rnaitre," he answered you have
always counselled US TO be audacious have been
auiac!ous"
NJ Gerome's personality is one easily in'tated
and the young the banquet the
first one who has attempted H. At the last Quartz
Arts ball OF the members OF the atelier
Cier0rne and had excellent imitation a. the tail
soiicrly slender figure. and large head covered
guise Of some Arabian character. and was startled
When he heard the well known voice Of the master
crying week ye tbe Re Pese and Me Faure enter
tain the members Of the juries OF the two Salons
at dinner and at reception afterward al tho
Tlvsee This will probably be the last OF the art
lists banquets and they VIII then separate for
work