The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-26
STUDYING ART IN PARIS.
Some of the Trials that Await the
Unprepafed student.
New York Evening Sun.

New York Evening Sun.
Some one has said that unless a student
be able to understand or speak French the
first year In Paris is lost. And the same
may be added concerning the elementary
branches of art. AS a matter of course, all
the preparatory work may be done abroad
if one intends remaining number of years,
but If one comes unprepared most of the
time at lessons will be taken up by the in
structors in making corrections when IL
might be turned TO better account. II is
precious time lost, especially if one can re-
main to study but year or two. A large
fallacy seems to have crept in somewhere
at home that the mere coming abroad will
do away with much of the disa greeable
routine of study: that a knowledge of art
may be acquired from breathing the air
OF Paris. and that French is language
that may be absorbed If not picked up. One
needs only to come to the place to be rude
ly awakened from all such dreams A
knowledge of French is all the more neces-
sary IL the student means to study vocal
music, for TO have bad pronunciation the
French consider the gravest of errors and
no matter how beautiful the voice that one
sweeping fault destroys the whole.
Considering, then, that the aspiring young
woman, having a fair knowledge of the
languages. comes to Paris to study art the
first and most important item that presents
itself is where and how she shall live.
Most of the students reside in the Latin
quarter. The Sorbonne, the Ecole des
Beaux Arts, the principal academies, the
Luxembourg, the Louvre (Which is just
across the river are on the left bank OF
the Seine. and the American Girls Club.
which, with it's reading room, is OF
the most charming recreation spots in
Paris. Most of these academies and gall
leries are in walking distance of each other.
The other side of Paris has its advan-
tages in wider streets, more modern houses,
higher situation, but 1t is necessarily more
expensive Furnished rooms may be rented
for IS TO $l2 monthly in the Latin quarter,
of the little restaurants il is, perhaps.
something less expensive than living in a
pension A mistake that many students
food. the very item that is supposed TO
sustain and support one in hard work.
Many failures in health and ambition may
be traced TO this one source. When vitality
interested In other affairs students are
more than apt TO ignore the real necessi-
ties of life, and sometimes discover. but
too late, the cause Of IL all. Poor food
hastily prepared, irregular meals. and an
absence of the small conveniences most
American girls are accustomed TO will be
sure to affect the health and enthusiasm
two most important factors with those
pursuing the difficult branches of art
The subject of pensions cannot be en-
tered into in detail. for. like all other cities,
Paris has its supply of good, bad and in
different ones. The price of board and
lodging in the Latin quarter is from SIS TO
SfU month, exclusive OF neat and light,
which in winter bring the amount TO about
s. more OF course, all depends upon the
amount of coal and oil consumed
1t is best 20 wait until one has arrived
in Paris 10 choose an academy If one
wishes TO study drawings and painting
The principal studios are the Julien. the
Delecluse and the Colarossi All OF these
are good, such masters as Bouguereau.
Duran and Mucha visiting the ateliers
regularly. criticising and correcting the
pupils work. At the julien Academy one
pays q initiation fee, $40 per month. The
others S. with the same initiation
fee. This is for half a days drawing OF
about four hours duration. Everything
is included in the charge. the model being
paid by the academy. The selection of
these models-which takes place generally
every two weeks-is a most interesting
feature the models ranging from children
barely out OF their mothers arms 10 old
men and women
The salons, which are held every spring,
are open 10 the works OF advanced stu
dents. Then. with permit, any OF the
famous pictures in the Louvre, Luxem-
bourg, or smaller musees may be copied.
Many artists paint interiors OF the old
churches. some of the finest paintings ex-
hibited being altar scenes and corners OF