New-York tribune., 1902-09-06
and 1850 He was extremely modest and parsi-

and 1850 He was extremely modest and parsi-
monious-
Thomas Couture the we'll known artist Of the
early fifties relates how Auguste Dutuit worked
in his studio as a pupil. "One morning I heard
d knock at the door. Come in!' 1 replied
person OF extraordinary appearance entered
The stranger wore quaint, old fashioned clothes
His trousers were too short, and disclosed dark
blue socks that had been patched with blue OF
a lighter shade. He carried huge gingham
umbrella under his arm, and 1 could not make
out whether this odd parsonage an ex-
priest OF 4 beEEar. VIII you take me
p1pfI In YOUR studIoT was his first question. I
said No for 1 was ambitious and did not want
TO have such an embarrassing figure on my
nrer1Ises He seemed so crestfallen that l felt
sorry for him, and asked Would you mind
being my "rapin"?- ?-apprentiCe who cleans
brushes and keeps the paints, palettes, picture
frames and studio in order, and lights the stove,
shoyels coal and trims the lamps. No, indeed,
vas the reply Very we'll go and fetch your
traps and settle down hereT He came back
with a pine wood easel. cheap box Of paints
and a wornout handbag. / explained what his
duties We're. and he was very attentive
hard working and SO civil that he al
ways greeted me with three reverential
bows whenever he entered the studio, At
maTtre you have not yet told me what l owe
YOU for your precious advice? Shall It be 20
francs a month" I at once protested. say
ing: That is too much; our foremost paint
ers only ask % francs month go, and you are
so useful TO me that did not intend to charge
you anything When he insisted said: Look
here are you we'll enough off to pay me the I5
francs q month without inconvenience" Yes
Very well, will take them, and let's say moth
ing more about it Shortly afterward my
-rapin' asked me to take dinner with him at
restaurant We went to place where had
never been before, and we dIned so sumptuously
that 1 felt obliged demonstrate with him
a bout the expense. Oh never mind he said.
I once rendered service to the who keeps
the restaurant and he let's off easily at nom
inal prices Several years elapsed before COu-
ture discovered that his 'rapin' was Auguste
Dutuit, the millionaire art collector Why
didn't you tell meT the painter asked 1
wanted TO have your sincere. impartial advice
about my work But you don't appreciate how
badly 1 felt when I saw you spending money at
a rate that seemed to exceed your means"
Dutuit subsequently became great patron OF
Thomas Couture, and aided greatly In bringing
him into prominence.
The origin Of the fortunes Of the Dutuit family
was a prosperous mandatory of woollen cloth
near Elbeuf In Normandy, in 1890 The father
was a large ship owner at Marseilles, and in
collecting the art treasures now bequeathed TO
the city OF Paris the two brothers and the
spinster sister drew upon the resources of the
paternal estate. which they regarded as a fund
owned by all three in common.
The Dutuit Museum, in the Petit Palais, will,
according to present arrangements be open to
the public in October. and will constitute one of
the most instructive artistic features of Paris
c. l. i.