The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-13
A PARIS STUDIO.
Personal vi-w OF the Cosy Quarters OF
Messrs. Frank Holman and Charles
HOlman-Black,

Occasional Correspondence Of The News,)
A stones throw from Napoleon's great tomb
Is one Of the most interesting studios and
homes in Paris. Walking mp the avenue, one
wonders what the large glass dome might be,
but wonder leads To pleasure IL one is per-
mitted inside these hospitable doors. This is
the studio OF Mr. Frank Holman He is an
American and a New Engander, never hav-
ing lost the ways OF his own dear country,
but has added to them the graciousness Of
French customs. The studio is very large, to
the most remote corner nothing but elegance.
He Is very modest and little OF his work is In
sight. One of his Venetian pictures is on an
easel. To look at il is like visit 10 "tho
queen OF the sea-" IL is so exactly as Venice
really is the water seems 70 ripple as no
other water does. He also has the rare gift
OF painting copper, reminding one Of the ola
Dutch school. Old Spanish paintings hang on
the walls, tapestries rich with color age only
can give, ancient carved chests and furniture
and a grand piano. When he runs his hands
over the keys one knows instantly he Is
musician, but he has no idea of giving you
that impression; he is only playing an so-
compartment for his brother to sing.
Mr.. Charles Holman Black is as much a
German songs take one TO the Fathorland,
his French songs are as delicate as a string Of
pearls, and when he sings in English Now
Don't Be Sorrowful, Darling" the treacher-
ous tear will fall. He sings from heart 10
heart-true song. Tea is waiting In the glass
covered conservatory. Wo drink 1t from rare
old china, the water boils IN "a Russian samo-
var and the sound Of the fountain we hear
Al
room, also rich with carved antique furni-
ture, but not so heavy but that the most deli
cate meals are served here.
Opening from this is their salon-red tap
estried walls covered with pictures and many
photographs of celebrated people, all personal
friends. One very pretty picture Of flowers
rainted by their mother Is here treasured bv
these men. IL Is one OF the few ht me in which
one does not miss woman's nand. Mr..
Holman Bacx draws you to q cosey corner,
where shows you as one OF his. great treas
ures an etching OF his teacher, Monsieur j.
Faure. His first teacher was his father. He
then studied with Severini.
On the second floor Mr.. Holman has his
suite of rooms. so filled with rich carvings,
tapestries and bric-a brac that the vines
from the garden have climbed over the bal
cony and insist upon looking in. On the floor
above Mr.. Holman Black has his apartments,
every article in the old empire style. Ser.
wants rooms entirely separate. Returning
10 the first floor, real American lcmonade
served in the fompeiian room, where they
sit and chat in a manner one can see their
talents are not confined TO music ana art,
and the most beautiful thing about these two
men Is their true sincerity. They give OF
their best to their friends, asking nothing in
return.
They trace the owners Of this property 10
the time of Marie AntoInette, when IL sold for
5000. The last owner was MIR. Charles Walt
ncr, who has NO successfully engraved the
"Angclus." He paid 1000 for it. These
American brothers gave much larger sum
for IL and rebuilt u I'm its present style--a
ever 10 its owners.
Paris, October, 1851.