Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-02
GsROMe,S GREAT PICTURES.
They Cover = Wide Range OF Subjects and
Are World Renowned,

Gorome has painted so many important
pictures having q worldwide reputation
that it is impossible to go into many par
ticulars about them in tho present article.
The illustration of Napoleon Before the
Sphinx" will, however, give some idea OF
his remarkable powers OF invention and
his fertility of ideas. Tho incident was
suggested by tho Egyptian campaign of
tho great emperor. On the vast plains of
the desert, rising solemnly up from tho
burning sands, stands the great mysteri-
GUS stone figure the origin or tho meaning
Of which no man has yet been able to OK
plain. In the distance wo sec the legiOns
of tho French army, while on his horse,
calmly and with speculative oye, sits tho
marvel of his age. Tho littlo man, hum
bic of BIRTH without influence or money,
rising by the force of circumstances and
his own strong will and character to the
mightiest position among the rulers Of the
earth, gazes steadfastly at the storm beaten,
time worn monument OF past ages. Tho
contrast Is full Of suHgestivencss.
Or let us take his "Thirst." What
wonderful strength is here On tho hot,
shimmerlnR, sun dried sands crouches tho
mighty king Of beasts, very baby in his
weakness, overcome by the desire to wot
his parched tongue and painting for drop
Of water. What awful loneliness! Whnt
fearful solitude, and what dreary waste !.
1t wero more pleasant to turn to the
glimpse ho gives us Of the great oriental
city whose house tops, minarets and spires
CLEAN under tho brilliant eastern sky,
where the pious MussulmaSi calls the faith.
full to prayers. Hero may be noted the
artists wonderful powers OF observation
and tho extraordinary finish, nothing APP
parently escaping his attention. So, too,
In the "Pacha's Runners,' where tho ro-
productions do not, of course, give an
idea of tho color, though Geromc's color.
ing is not always fine His best skill mp
pears in drawing and in tho arrangement
Of his compositions. In the "Buli Fight
err we find that tho artist is quito as
much at home in Spanish scenes as in
classical, oriental or modern French life.
He enters into tho brutality of the bull
ring and, showing US tho coarse pcadors
and the excited audience, brings the Incl
dent before us very wildly.
In short, no matter what he undertakes,
ho prepares himself Tor tho task with much
carncstnoss and great elaboration. He
makes careful studios, no looks we'll into
his subjects and no takes no end Of pains
Pictures do not como Of themselves, nor
are they executed without almost endless
trouble. Artists are generally supposed by
thoughtless people to DO moro or less in
spired and to dash off masterpieces at WILL
but the truth is picture that has any
claim to live and to deserve high apprccin.
ton is undertaken with as much fore
thought rs the building of ship. First
the painter makes sketch, searching out
in n general way the best method Of put
ting his idoa on canvas. Then, after many
changes and alterations, studies arc made
of tho principal figures, of the draporios
and of tho accessories. Now the scheme OF
color must be arranged, and finally comes
tho painting, and the painstaking compile
ton of all tho parts. A Famous French
Painter" by Arthur Hocbcr, in st. Mich
olas.