New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-08
POSING FOR THE PUBLIC.
HOW THEATRICAL STARS SIT FOR THEIR
PORTRAITS.

HOW THEATRICAL STARS Sll FUN i-
PORTRAITS.
nrRNuARpr.s POWER OF ASSUMING A ROLE BE
FORE THE cAMERA-vIcToR MAuREL AND
HIS RETIyuE-soME OTHER FAVOR
TIES AND THEIR WAYS
Many OF the people who pause In the.r ua,' VIZ
to look at the photographs Of theatricai io'h "'
played in the shop windows. nave ict Il p'oo''9
curiosity how tn, were 'aKe''' -
famous star or even n brilliant ornament OF t"e
stage. suffer the agonies OF piaih' oi''""'! "
dividual in cndeavoring to assume Il P'e"
preston? Is there the same haii-disappo'''e'
feeling when the proofs come home because 'he
portrait does not look quite so well as inc s"...
had rather too confidently, fancied that IL should
Most photographers who take theatrical pictures
and nearly all Of them do II now 10 some extent
agree that the professional subject ~ IL "i"on
easier one than any other. There Is one wen
known Fifth-ave. artist who dssents from 'iE
yieu. but he IS entirely ovcrrled by the majority
Posing is the fe-work OF actors and actresses. ana
It would be strange II 1t did not come reau"' "
them when before the camera They are accus
toned to being watched admired ana cri'iciseu
They have absolutely nothing of that embarrassed
selfconscousness which ruins the effect OF large
number of ordinary photographs. They are not
afraid TO smile or to assume any expression or at
titude required. through the rear wh'ch oesc's
most other persons that 1t may seem aHec'eu ana
silly Because they are used TO making the aru-
fetal appear natural upon the stage. they sue
coed beautifully In doing so at the studio
TOO MANY ATTITUDES.
On one point however. the man Of the camera Is
Obliged to assert his knowledge and authority
There is such n thing occasionally as too much
posing usually n difficulty encountered In the
cases of those favorites Of the footghts VINO are
particularly well satisfied with themselves Few
of the situations which are most striking IN the
theatre are only absurd and inartstic when caught
ond axed bv tho pitiless lens. Then the photog-
rainier is Obliged to offer his advice gently but
firmly and induce the sitter to change the atutude
for one more adapted to the cameras powers.
you might imagi-e" said a photographer re-
eectvely That |. would be the great artists VINO
could desire their way In this matter But
that Isn't So The mora famous the star the more
no or she has learned by experience that we kno"
better ius, what goes to make up good picture
II is the second third rate players VINO some
t,mca try to tell us just how to do our work
When the photograph OF the actor is to be taken
to illustrate some striking situation IN the opera
or nlay the successful accomplishment OF the
process calls out the utmost powers OF both parues
TO It. Especially in strong emotional roles IL ~
naturally difficult for the sitter TO summon ~
will the true feeling OF the part. The inspra-
ton of the audience and the atmosphere OF the
ploy are wholly lacking and these must be pres
emf at least mentally before the actor can look
the character desired. Well-known players are
very unlike In their ability 10 get readily into
the feeling" Bernhardt. for example Is JOY
to the heart OF the photographer. She is really
marvellous In her power TO fall instantly into the
mood and hence the appearance OF any OF her
roles. and to change from one to the other. IN
spirit, with apparently as much ease as she
changes her costumes. The presence OF other per
sons I'm the room does not disturb her ana she
seems 10 regard the whole operation as entirely
matter-of- fact and necessary from business
point Of view.
cALvE is NERVOUS.
Calve is Of quite the reverse type. She poses
beautifully OF course but with her II Is not so
rapid and simple proceeding. She Is extremely
nervous. and cannot bear to have others about
when she is acting Carmen or Ophclia 10 IN"
camera. II there is the slightest noise or other
interruption, she is brought back AZ once TO an
every day mood OF animated annoyance. ana IL
takes some time thereafter 10 work her into the
proper spirit again. The last words are written
| advisedy for 1t depends greatly upon the pho
tographe TO produce and encourage the mood Tor
his picture There must be perfect sympathy
between him and his subject. and ne must Dc
| swift seize upon the supreme moment when
| II arrives Nine. ReJane Is accustomed. Ike many
| other PLAYERS. to repeat sometimes TN" whole
scenes. in order to recall the attitudes and ex-
| pressions which belong 10 them. There Is one
| weknown photographer In Twenty-third-st VINO
| frequently insists upon having this done. es-
| pecially when several players are 70 De taken
| together In scene. He has been remarkably
successful in turning out most lifclike portraits
When asked what player posed most easily OF
all the hundreds who had sat before him. this man
Immediately mentioned Lillian Russell. she sits
down before the camera" he said. and does just
exactly what she thinks the part requires. or
what you tell hcr-which IL thing highly APP
preciated by the photographer. There Is no fuss
ing with her" Violet Lloyd the pretty English
girl now playing at Days. and Lulu Chaser. OF
the Half a King company. are both very easy
to photograph.
The men OF the theatrical profession do not. as
rule. share the common masculine reluctance 10
being photographed. Many OF them In fact. seem
hugely pleased at being allowed TO pose inagnin-
Gently for n varied series OF pictures II Is note
worthy that the handsomesi men are most likely 20
he affected In this way. and particularly that dis
tinctivc class known as matinee favorit"s victor
Maurel, the famous BARITONE. makes great occ"-
sion Of the which he sits before the camera
for the benefit OF tho world n. large. He brings
with him the studio not only his valet but his
manager the stage manager OF the house, his pr-
waite secretary and frequently few OF his friends
and professional associates. Each one Of his i'm
posing retnuc Is called upon either to decide upon
the merits OF the poses TO assist Maurei IN max
ing himself beautiful for the portrait o-be lie IL
| painsakin about the matter himself. not having
the least objection TO curling his hair and mustache