The Washington times., 1906-09-09

/ II one were TO consult the pages OF an
I encyclopedia Of art. in search Of infor-
/ nation relating 10 Carolls Duran IL
/ would be learned that Duran was born
at Lille in ISIS, that he was a pupil o3
/ Souchon. that ne is a chsvalier of the
/ Legion of Honor. and Of the order OF
/ Leopold. and that he received a medal
/ IN Philadelphia ln 1876. Much other i'm
/ formation concerning his work and his
| Interpretation OF art principles would
| doubtless be found. for Duran is today
| one OF the prominent painters OF France.
/ but information concerning the found
| ing OF his art school would probably be
sadly wanting. not because the iaforma-
/ tiOn is unimpOrtant or inaccessible. but
/ for the reason that the founder Of the
/ school and the first pupil OF Duran,
/ Robert Hinckley. whose studio IS AT 1910
I Massachusetts avenue, has never before
| given for publication the interesting
/ facts connected with the school which
/ has fitted so many prominent artists
| for their life work
Hinckley Wanted Duran's Help.
It was in February. 1872, that Robert
| Hinckley, who had been a resident and
a student IN Paris since 1858. determined
! 10 secure If possible instruction from
Carolus Duran. At this time Duran was
in high favor as a painter OF portraits.
but had never condescended to assist
art students by critcisiug their work
Hnckley was impressed with the meth
cd OF Duran end believed that Of all the
painters who exhibited in the annual
salons Of Paris ne would prefer
him AS a teacher. The fact that Duran
had never listened 10 The opportunities
OF other students had no weight with
young Hiuckley.
1t was no easy matter % gain access
10 the studio Of Duran. OF all OF the
eccentricities Of genius Duran seems to
have selected for himself a special
stock Painting was to him ii matter
OF inspiration which followed serious
prayer and the burning n some half
dozen vOtive candles. for Duran was
not only a Catholic IN faith bat a Cath
olic in practice. IN hts studio his man
nerisms and afeCtatiOns would have
seemed ridiculous in other painters. but
in him they seemed TO De so genuine
that the nonsense OF the idea Of wear
ing white kid gloves while painting was
overlooked and accepted as a part OF
the individuality Of the master.
Hinckley Wins His Point.
Robert Hinckley rang the bell fur
iously for some five times before get /
ting a response. At last the whole .
household of Duran came 20 the door
TO learn the cause OF the unusual dis /
turbance during the working hour of
this great portrait painter Admission /
10 the studio was gained and the qUes-
tion Of accepting Hinckley as a pupil /
was discussed. Duran did not take /
kindly 10 the idea To him teaching /
seemed beneath his dignity. The young
American, however, was firm in his /
purpose 10 secure the services OF Duran I
as his instructor His arguments were /
we'll calculated to please the vanity Of /
a man OF such marked eCcentriCity. and 1
as a result of the skillful presentation Of /
the case by the young student. Duran 1
promised EIinckley that II he would take 4
a studio in a convenient neighborhood /
ne would come in once or twice year /
and give him advice. This was the I
crumb OF comfort held out 10 the young
art student who had asked a mere crust
of Carolus Duran.
Duran Pleased With Pupil.
Duran was, however, beJIer than MS I
word. for he called at Hinckley's studio /
at much earlier date than promised. /
Hinckley had secured a model-an old |
man with a face full of lines Duran .
belonged TO the school that clamored /
for truth and realism in painting, and
Hinckley followed closely in the path
Of the realists.
In the charcoal sketch which the stu
dent had In readiness for the criticism
of the master. Duran found much to en-
courage MIN. It was q faithful copy OF
life itself Not a seam had been slight
ed or Iessened in depth. not a line or
wrinkle had been omitted, or a freckle
forgotten. 1t was a faithful drawing
by a man with q conscience. While |
Young Hinckley had been very ready
with specious arguments to convince
Duran OF his anxiety TO become his pu-
pil In his drawing the student had re-
lied upon the extremes of the school Of
realism. and thereby succeeded in win
ming the approval OF the master, who |
would probably have abandoned his pu-
Dill If a strong case Of impressiOnism had /
been in evidence.
School Finally Established.
The drawing was commended by Du-
ran, and the student was urged 10 have
In readiness f,,r the following visit Soma