The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-09
A Visit to CaroIus Duran.

It was wonderful smile. II lit UP tn
somewhat harsh lines of the portrait
painters face al effectually as his brush
tones down The colors on his canvas ant
makes Of them harmony
DO you speak FTench?"
No" answered with regret, for re
allied that my text book French woul<
stagger and fall in an encounter with tht
real thing.
''Ahl that Is too bad" said NJ Duran
disappiontedly continuing the converse
ton in his native tongue, but leading the
way to his studio. This IS now a temper
airy retreat at 300 Fifth avenue
Fancy devoting eight whole minutes tc
being interviewed when each minute re.
presents many golden duca;sI II was ir
these terms that expressed my gratitude
TO NJ Duran.
For answer he waved his talented hand
smiled and shrugged his shoulders II q
very French way. which, translated into
English meant, There are other min
utes." He Is a wonderful Frenchman, is
Duran. He is short and broad.
Though ne labors under the disadvan-
tage Of a stocky physique. his every move
| ment, is marked by grace and omposure.
His face IS the embodiment of express
| sion. 1t embraces all tongues; il scorns
the use of any. Though he speaks no
English and spoke no French. 1 inter
viewed the great Duran without a diff
Guilty and our conversation was scarce
| ly aided by the interpreter.
| In repose his face is stern almost to
| harshness. When he smiles 1t is like the
! sunburst on a cloudy day. II starts with
| his lips. brims over 20 his gray mustache
! and gets up into his blue eyes. And some
! how one feels that It doesn't stop there,
! but goes back into MS mind and down to
heart and nils his whole being with glad
ness. No wonder he IS successful and
great and famous.
1t is not because his eye is trained to
coloring and to harmony. It is not because
he was born an artist, with ready made
artists soul and touch and conception.
1t is well known fact that TO make
successful painting the artist must be
thoroughly in sympathy with his sub
ject. This is especially so with the
portrait painter.
Carolus Duran does not pain dis
agreeable people.
He will not paint people who are stiff
or ungainly or coarse or badly gowned.
He will not paint women who look sour
and cross. He will not paint men who are
round shouldered or common or sullen.
Then does he refuse them?
Dear me- no! Not If they will pay his
price! He makes them what he wishes,
Therein lies Carolus Duran's success.
On that little secret power rests the fame
which has spread itself in every civilized
country on the globe.
When his lips smile they WOO response.
When his eyes smile, 1t is impossible to
resist. His frown is likewise inspiring, to
q different end. His enthusiasm is conta-
gion itself. Madame" said the painter
through the Interpreter, "if you will sit in
that chair 1 will show you how I should
proceed to paint your portrait
The chair was an enormous Dutch oak
seat, carved in quaint design. 1t stood on
a platform about one foot high, covered
with an antique rug Rugs Of beautiful
texture also shut out the ugly glare of the |
white walls. Behind the chair was a tall |
wooden framework, used as foundation |
for draperies.
Above it was the north light, streaming |
through the glass ceiling and flooding the |
chair with a soft brilliancy NJ. Duran |
extended his hand and led me to his i'm
promptu throne with all the grace of a I
gallant of the old French court
BE seated he said, standing back to |
watch for possible symptoms of grace.
There were none
"Will you remove your gloves?" said NJ.
Duran, helping to draw them off: land |
your hat?' struggling vainly for the hat |
pins; and, ah, yes; the coat, too. You
are harassed with cIothing-sO!"
M. Duran resumed his old position. 1
began to feel quite at home
Your hands"-I looked down.
"Ah! yes; that is what I wanted. It
won't do. Show me your profile
The profile did not suit
Look at monsieur the interpreter-so.
AT the attendant
'Move to the right.
Still more
Look at me-"
1 had looked at so many things II was
growing funny So laughed and changed
my position and looked into NJ Duran's
eyes.
'Ah!' he cried, now It goes betterrp
In moment attendant and Interpreter
were a his side.
do not move" said the latter quickly:
you have pleased him.
"Charmante! Eblouissant! Tres bienV'
ne cried with French fervor. And under
ire of all that enthusiasm how could one
lelp but be affable and look pleased? The
Interpreter could not translate quickly
enough TO be literal. but ne constantly re-
terated: He likes your pose, your pres
7nce. He likes your hair and the curves
If your lips"
Meanwhile, without interrupting his
stream of conversation. NJ. Du-
an was aiding the attendant in adjusting !
lraperies behind me.
The first was rose plush. The artist got I
Jack to his old position, and instantly S
ordered it down. 1t did not suit. The !
lext was deep red. {
Too harsh,' he said quickly. TRY the t
-reen." r
The green plush was hung luxurious /
clds on the frame behind the chair. and
nee more II. Duran INDUCED in superla- d
ives. q
It was Tres avenanti Excellent! Par
att"
1t brought out my red brown color =,
lg to perfection" and it emphasized the a
weet simplicity of my style"
Did always wear my hair pompadour7
No? Try 1t in a part pardonnez."
BY this time the subtle drug OF f1attery
vas beginning 10 take effect. had made :
tartling discoveries in my favor. I had "
earned things about curving lips, and Il
weet "hnesse," and red brown tints o
-hich had gone to my head and caused
o little commotion there
l began TO think l would make an I'M n
ressive sight on STRIP OF NJ Duran's Il
anvas. And when the interpreter said: a
is quite delighted with you. He Il
avs he could make a masterpiece of your a
ortrait, for he is in sympathy with YOU" G.
hat settled it. I decided that I might do d.
lthout gowns and bonnets for some time X
} come, but portrait by Duran 1 must a
ave. =,
Your charges?' I asked a
Wen, that would depend. Would ma n
anne desire a fun length portralt?" -
Madame thought 1t likely. =
Ny charge for the full length Is S. co., :,
I hope the great Duran did not see me "a,
art. he might have considered = an =