The Washington herald., 1907-04-07
GLIMPSE OF BOHEMIA
An. Artist Who Could Not
Paint for a Creditor.
JULES TAvERN1ER IN FRISCO
Had an Accumulation for Sleek and
Prosperous Citizens, but Never Re
fused Financial Advances-HOSv
One Millionaire Scared Painting
ana Got the Worth of His Money.

One Millionaire Secured Painting
ana Got the Worth of His Money.
Jules Tavernier's determination was the
sleek citizen, the prosperous person, the
millionaire. He stigmatzed all such un-
der the generic term of bourgeois. When
they were aggravated cases he called
them "Saere bourgeois or II they were
hopeless Pharisees, ''sacre canaille." It
mattered little 10 him that the despised
rich men bought his pictures, for he
looked upon them merely as Philistines,
and therefore TO be despoiled. says Jerome
A. Hart, in the San Francisco Argonaut,
II a bourgeois gave him a commission and
Tavernier was interested in the commits
sion (Which was rare. or in the bourgeois
(Which was rarer), he put into the picture
his best work. But if he was not inter-
ested in either bourgeois or commission
(Which was very often the easel. It was
difficult 10 get him 70 do any work at all
Frequently he would block out the canvas
with a few strokes. and in that condi-
ton It might remain for months. This
was particularly the case If the art pa
tron made a money advance on the COM
mission.
There came 20 me one day a sOrrOBing
millionaire VINO had given Tavernier an
order for a picture. Months had passed.
be- told me. and not only was there no
sign of its completion. but there was no
sis" Of its beginning
How do you know this?" I inquired
DO you go to his studiO?'
oh. yes. frequently" replied the mel
ancholy millionaire II drop in every now
and then and ask him if he has done
anything on the picture
That's bad" I remarked refectively,
very bad indeed. You'd better stay away
from the studio. But have YOU made any
advance on the price,
Yes. indeed. said the millionaire.
looking more hopeful. The moment
Tavernier asked me for an advance 1 let
hin have what he asked
'sfhat Is bad again" ] commented, in
fact. so bad that fear the case IS hope
less, Tavernier never finishes a picture
on which lac has received an advance"
rs that so2" cried the chopfallen mill
lionalre. "Why. bless my soul. what
very remarkable person, I thought II ]
accommodated him with loan he would
Dc grateful"
Became "A Creditor.
''That is exactly what is the matter"
explained. In Taverniers eyes you are
no. longer an art patron. you are now
creditor. You have completely trans
formed your position toward him. Now
that DE owes you money he looks on you
with dislike and fear" And / shook my
head discoura gingly.
Can nothing be done?" asked the mel
ancholy millionaire.
Il an afraid not" I replied. II fear
your advancing money has ended the
matter.
But Maecenas urged me strongly 10 act
as an Intermediary and influence Taver-
nier to complete the picture. He really
was very anxious 10 have IL hanging on
his walls II was intended 10 be a SYM
bolical treatment Of Bohemia, with
owls and things.
The millionaire's entreaties finally moved
me. and ] consented TO undertake the
delicate task I demanded carte blanche
in the matter Of expense, which was
agreed 10.
How are you going 10 begin?" asked
the millionaire
We'll. / intend TO send up 10 Tavernier
some good red wine
with my name on il, / prcsume2" in
quired the modest millionaire,
oh. no." I replied, anonymously, with
the eXpressman sworn TO secrecy" And
noticing tae discontinue of my million
aire friend, ] added: BE not disturbed.
he viii know in good time that it came
from you. I merely wish 10 surround it
at first with a pleasant and provocative
mystery
oh. yes / see said the millionaire:
and he added, bTiskly. Il have some Vtry
good Ziufandel at the house, that we
drink when there is no company Sup
pose you send up a eask Of that?
Indeed, no. I said. severely, mo Tin
fandel shall so TO Tavernier from the
mysterious donor. He never drinks lin
fandel except when he is broke"
"What will you send him, then?' in
quired the millionaire.
Il intend to send him "a couple Of cases
Of Barton and Guestier St Julien-the
kind that comes wire-bound"
why, that costs more than q dollar
bottle," faltered the millionaire.
a dollar fifty" / corrected
And don't you think that two cases
will -"
You are right ! interrupted, two
eases viii not be enough, it seems small
and measiy so We viii make it three"
The millionaire turned pale. and with
drew while it was yet time.
After sending up the 81. Julien. / waited
a decent interval of a day or two. and
then followed it with several dozens Of
bottled beer. TaveTnier was an ardent
FrenchWan. but had no absurd prejudice
against 5he blond beverage of the hated
TeutOn. Tie beer was followed by a large
quantity OF the c0stliest Russian cigar
cites. And my fourth envoy consisted of
half a dozen bottles of the finest French
cognac and half q dozen bottles of as
sorted hqueurs. One could thus confec-
ton ones own chasse-Cafe heinz
4 Mystery solved.
After a day or TWO ] dropped into Tav-
ernier's studio to spy out the land. His
studio and mis- living-roons were adjoin-
ing. 1t was late in the afternoon, and as
twilight fell Tavernier began illuminating
by lighting candles. Evidently difficulties
had arisen with an insolent gas company.
and negotiations had been broken off. /
remarked that the candles were thrust
into wire-bouHd Barton and Guesuer
bottles
How. then artist Of the hidden riches.
cried l. lis it that you drink of the high
priced wines Of the Medoc. while your
friend the sculptor indicating Marion