Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-09-01

as he had done before and began to
copy Constable. But it was not long
before he outstripped 10th and de
yeloped that subtle. Plrriors style.
which no painter Is able 90 catch
copy. His work was quiet and mod
est lie looked for beauty and he
found It. He painted what he saw.
and through his artist soul he saw
far more than ordinary men are able
I to see. Gradually he avnlvcd rom
his previous paiustaldnE work of de-
tail "A daring quality and gave us
\ the effect" string the Imagination
until the behoider sees things spiritual
instead of material in his paintings.
"Beiore a Corot you can only stand
silent and let its beauty caress your
soul. His colors are thin and very
simple Green's and grays predomin-
ate. and the plain drab tones are
bithe airy gracious, graceful and
plquant as a beautiful young Quaker
woman clothed in the garh OF sim,
plicity aud humility, with pale lilac.
silver gray. and daphanous green.
He poatizes everything he touches
ANtA'N N'AANfr tAAAlA tlA VI uN6utSt MUllt-
washed cottages. simple swards. vel
low cows. blowsy peasants. woodland
openings stretching meadows and
winding stseams-they are all full of
divine suggestions and joyous expect.
ancy Something is just going to
happen-somcbody is coming. someone
We love--yCu can almost detect a faint
perfume. long remembered. never to
be forgotten. a Corot is a tryst with
all that YOU most admire and love hest
1t speaks Of youth, Joyous hopeful.
eEpectant youth"
In 1880 Corot discovered Barbizon
He walked there one day with his
bundle on his back. to the little viii
laee on the border Of the forest of
Fontainableau IS miles from Paris.
He paid his board by painting a
sketch on the tavern wall. for Corot
at that time had not dreamed of sell
ing his pictures, and his income. rro-
Vfded by his father was less than
sL0o day. He played the mandolin
there and the harmonca and guitar.
and made himself Il fayoHte When
ne returned to Paris. he made sketches
Of the place and showed them 10 Rous-
seau, Dia2 Daubigny and Millet. who
one after another, Joined him at the
village, until a sort OF school was
ormod there.
Corot has been called the simplest
man in the world He used to &,
into Paris two or three times n year
IN peasant blouse. and n e aCys would
make fun OF him as be walked along.
sinsiug to himself When he was 75
wears Old, the scige of Paris took
place. and altho gh he could have es-
capped he stayed IN the city. spending
his time and his money for the sick
md dying. watching beside them day
and night. aud closing their eyes when
they had passed away To the poor
and simple people he was Papa
Corot."
He was Il years old before his
skill as an artist had reached its
zenith. He was riduculed. mlsundcr-
stood and unreoogized untl he was
~ wears of age Then the art lovers
discovered the great man, and Gocled
10 his dwelling to buy his treasures
which he loved so well that he shed
tears al parting with them. and sold
Them only that lie might have money
TO give away
In 1875 he died leaving behind him
he perfume of a great poul, a kind
tender heart joyous life. and o
name that shall ring through the ages
ms that OF one the most sublime gen
fuses that ever lived