The Washington times., 1914-01-11
FOUND TRUE HEROES
IN QUARTER LATIN
Newman Tells of SeIf-Sacrifice
and UnSeIfiShneSS of Models
and Students.

while l was in Paris last summer. "
says L. VI. Newman, Il spent consider
able time in the Latin Quarter among
the students, artists. and models, in or
der to learn, at first hand, just what
their life really is and what is the APP
Peal that induces them to leave home
and friends and to bury themselves
among countless others Of similar ideals
and aspirations. BY Latin Quarter |
GC not mean the Montmartre, with its
curious cafes conducted solely to lure
pleasure-seeking Americans, but that
district around the Luxembourg, along
the Boulevard Mont Parnasse. and the
Boulevard st. Michel, peopled almost
altogether by struggling ar students.
To the casual observer the Bohcmia n
life III this section of the French caui-
tai is gay and care-free, but con-
Cealed from view is another phase OF
lne-cnc of hard work, of hopes, o.
aspirations, and often of pinching pow
Grty and cruel self-deniaL Only ons
thoroughly familiar with the Quarter
Latin realizes what II Gneans TO be an
art student without means, 10 struggle
and TO starVe for the sake of art We
near only of the Bohemian life of the
students and their models, but few os
- have heard :he other side of the
story-the shattered dreams and disap-
pointments, the heroic fortitude of these
SAibANlOuS BOsS anu SITS
Animated by Rare Sympathy.
Il found among them a sympathy one
Tor the other rarely seen elsewhere,
and 4 universal willingness TO share
each others poverty and TO lend
hand whenever another is in need--a
common state of affairs with most Of
them. Models are willing TO go hun
GIy so that a student may complete a
I'cture, living evidence of = love of
art for arts sake even among the
humblest In fact, hundreds of such
OeedS of heroism that 20 unTecordCd are
Cnacted among these people every year.
The height Of the ambition OF every
student is to have his painting accepted
by the Salon. A jury composed OF
frances greatest masters passes upon
an endless procession of modern works
q art Approval means fame, cOndem-
lauon-the depths of despair. Every
lainting must be frameG-an additional
burden to many-
The immoral social condition in the
Latin Quarter is one that is Ofttimes
harShly commented on. but critics do
Eot take into consideration that these
models know no oher life. Many OF
them having been born into it. and it
IS the result of centuries of environ
ment.
These girls are not well dressed. and
they Go not wear Jewels or indulge in
other luXuries. In fact, good food is
seldom their portion, and a full meal
Is rather the exception than the rule.
LNen a comfortable bed IS denied most
or them. many of them living in q tiny
room with practically no furnishings.
The entire atmosphere in the LAIN
quarter is one of art, and nothing else
matters.
The students seek no following. and
are entirely independent in word.
Ihocght and deed, caring nothing for
Ihe conventions. They live their lives
without the slightest restraint, bear
theiL' poverty without a mu-mur. and
TO Their ends with few 20 mourn them
Sing To Forget Hunger.
There are more poets on the .Boul.
Mich as it is called. tnan one would
expect to find in any one country, more
artists around the Luxembourg than
one would meet elsewhere in a lifetime,
When the days work is over one III.
see them gathered about the tables in
the various cafes where refreshments
are obtained for nominal sum Here
they dine when they can. and when
tneE are. without means, sing and dalv,
10 forget their hunger.
While Americans have taken more in
Ihe way Of art from Paris than they
nave ever given, they also have p-o-
ouced some very noted artists, among
'heTa whistler, Sargent, and French
and the scnlptorS St Gaudens and Mac
monies. There are said to be more than
1I'Vy american boys and girls studying
art IN the Latin Quarter of Paris today."
Mr. Newm2n's new series OF travel
talks on the capitals Of Europe is TO
be given At the Columbia Theater on
i've successive Sunday EVENINGS and fy-e
successive Monday afternoons. begin
nlng January IS and -. Paris will ne
his second subject