Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-18

styles and the most notable gathering of
all sorts and conditions of fashionable peo-
pie. 1t would be ridiculous for an artist to
attempt to varni sh his picture in such a
crowd; nut the name remains. OF late
years. however there has been danger that
even this day Should lose its brillaney; for
there is a tendency for more people to
ccme to see fine toilets than to be seen
In them The New York dressmakers and
milliEerS are always strongly represented
on the occasion, but they are often cheated
Inc greater part of the free tickets 10
the Salon ard for vanishing day are given
out by the artists who exhibit their work
Each has small number at his disposal.
The remainder are drawn from the groan-
ing secretary; VINO discovers cath year
that there are many more journalists than
there are newspapers The aniabIe NJ
Vigneron said to me last year that there
were two hundred and fifty American ladies
IN Paris engaged in supplying the American
newspapers with Salon articles
With the opening of the Salon, the work
OF the jury is not yet over. In fact that
for which the public looks with the great
est interest has but just begun. This is
the awarding of medals and honors, which
will accredt the successful artist through
out the world for tho remainder of his
career. The lowest Of these awards is
the honorable Mention" made of a paint
ing or other art work. The3 there Is a
number Of "third-class medals to be Gis-
tr1buted, amounting to about thirty, for
the paintings. There are ten "second-class
ileudlS, anu the ARTIST VINO WINS OF
these has henceforth the proud distinction
of being "hors corcours;'' that is, he can
no longer compete fer any other than the
highest honors. and he has d right to hang
his pictures each succeeding year without
the jury's decision being required fer ad-
mission.
The Growing Honor.
There are three medals of the first class"
to be awarded. The jury votes separately
on all these awards by secret ballot, an
absolute majority being required. After all
this comes the browning honor which the
French Salon can give This Is the medal
OF honor. 1t is not voted every year, and
is never given to any one but a French
artist who has received other honors and
distinguished himself for many years 1t is
rot conferred by the jury but by a major
ity vote Of all the French artists who have
ever received any prize, or even an honor
able mention at the annual Salon.
The friends of Benz. Constant are wonder
ing whether he will at last receive this
browning reward. He has been voted for
thirteen different times, and has often been
within hairs breadth of carrying 1t off:
but 1t has always somehow escaped him
Last year 1t was given to an old painter of
fifty years standing, rather because of the
general excellence Of his past work than
for the actual painting exhibited. This was
Hebert. But the previous year it went to
Roybet. simply on the force of merit shown
by his picture. He was neither in the good
graces Of the Salon, nor had he been exhib-
iting in 1t for more than twenty years.
Even SO, 1t Is said that an immense amount
of log-rolling goes on in connection with
these coveted rewards
When the Salon is over. with the LIST of
July, carts and porters draw up to door No.
again, and the proudest avenue of the
earth Is filled with a Gathering caravan of
pictures returning home to their makers or
on their way to their purchasers Some
times poor painters picture is attached
by law; and then it remains safely disposed
In a hall for the purpose until the law or
dams its sale for the benefit of creditors.
Pictures purchased during the Salon must
remain until the close. Altogether, this
most beautiful and frequented part of Paris
, has been occupied with an exhibition OF
paintings for more than three months OF
the brightest season of the year. For ar,
Is all-important in Paris
STERLING HELLO.