Evening star., 1927-10-04
PARIS, France.

PARIS, France.
One would not expect to discover
unearthly weirdness in art by picking
up a trail in the Galerie du Louvre
still less from such a starting point
q copy of the famous and sweetly
human picture by Nine. lie Brun, de-
picting herself and little daughter ir
loving embrace.
Sauntering through the gallery, re
calling masterpieces enjoyed in the
long ago, was attracted by the supe
riority of the work of an artist who
was copying the lie Brun masterpiece
Speaking in English. I complimented
the artist.
"How did you know that I coult
speak English? l am a Frenchman.'
he replied, with a friendly twinkle IN
his eyes. II have my American wife
to thank for my English without q
French accent" he explained. u
lived In Canada several years. and
then in New York, where I took out
my first papers to become an Ameri
can citizen, but I am still here In
France. l see you're a Legionnaire,
he continued. II am entitled to the
Legion badge, like you wear. served
four years as interpreter during the
war-neariy two years in the Ame7
can Army"
He gave me his card-L. Theo
Dube, a pupil Of Gerome at the Ma
tional School of Fine Arts (Beaux
Arts.
Upon invitation, visited his home
the following day, where found not
only a large collection OF his own
paintings but an original Paul Vero
nese, a Daubigny. Rosa Bonheur
and other masterpieces. Showing a
list of his American patrons, NJ. DUDE
said that he had his portraits and
paintings in los cities Of the United
States.
In reply to an inquiry as to art In
France today, M. Dube said that the
art schools were flourishing, as usual
except that the Ecole NatiOnale des
Beaux Arts is in a row over the Prix
de Rome. The prize was not given
this year because none OF the works
submitted by the candidates was
counted worthy Of that honor. The
contestants became angry and with
drew their pictures before the time
required for their exhibition, and that
angered the jury.
II believe that art students OF to-
day." remarked NJ. Dube, have lost
appreciation Of the real qualities OF
art"
AS explained by M. Dube. each year
the students OF the different art
classes, to the total of 900 contestants
are selected by jury to try for the
Prix de Rome. The winner has all
his expenses paid by the French gov
ornment for four years study In
Rome. and afterward for four years
while he is establishing himself as an
artist in France.
The 400 contestants are cnflned In
separate studios for two hours. within
which time. without models, they
must produce a painting Us by ~
inches) of a theme assigned to all
alike. Out of the number 80 OF the
best are given an opportunity to enter
a second contest, without models. Out
of the 80 the best 10 are then per
mitted to use models and paint their
final pictures (about 48 by 60 inches
within three months. these being en-
largements of the original small com
positions. No material change from
the original small pictures is per
mitted in the final paintings. These
contests have been maintained for
| many years.
1t was a rare privilege. secured
through NJ. Dube's influence, that the
doors Of the Ecole Rationale des
Beaux Arts were opened for my In
spection of the paintings in previous
contests. Rarely has a winner of a
Prix de Rome failed to become justly
| famous.
"If art achievement Is found un
worthy today" said NJ. Dube. ut Is
because the students have become
confused by modern fads. including
| impressionism.
When asked his opinion regarding
the Monet and Manet school Of i'm
pressionism and that Of the cubists
and post.cubists and the works OF
Pissaro and CeZanne, he replied tina,
he referred particularly to the Monet
Manet impressionism.
ibid you know" he. asked. '.tha,
.MnHe.s raiateA aa .tp,rressisnist'.