DOI Heft:
No. 86 (May, 1900)
DOI Artikel:Some work by the students of the Glasgow School of Art
DOI Artikel:Boucher, Henry: A French caricaturist: Louis Morin
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19784#0255
Lotiis Morin
SMOKER'S CABINET BY W. STEVENSON
FRENCH CARICATURIST :
LOUIS MORIN. BY HENRY
BOUCHER.
One phrase, and that used in its most manifest
sense, suffices to describe the subject of this article :
Louis Morin is an artist. In him we find all the ex-
ceptional qualities, so rare in these days, which go
to make up the true artist.
The original and quite personal nature of his
work causes one something like surprise at this
century-end, for there is that about it which would
suggest that the author was even now carrying on
the tradition of the maitresgalanis of the eighteenth
century, but in the spirit of the present day.
Morin is incontestably the direct descendant of
the incomparable and glorious masters, chief among
whom for all time are Watteau, Fragonard and
Chardin. Yet not to them alone does he owe all
his genius. Some of his most seductive gifts were
inspired by the brilliant illustrators of that period :
Marillier, Saint-Aubin, Gravelot, Eisen, Debucourt
and others. The Italians, too, had a certain
influence over Morin, particularly Tiepolo, Longhi
and Canaletto, who appealed to him strongly and
with the happiest results. In fact, he neglected
none of the sources whence he might derive in-
spiration ; and thus, without any slavish imitation,
he developed the manner and the style which
characterise his most delicate and beautiful art.
Far from confining himself to one art, or to one
particular groove thereof, Morin tried his gifted
hand in all directions. Above all else, Morin is
an illustrator, that is certain; and I shall have
more to say on that point presently. But he
began with architecture, then turned his atten-
tion to sculpture (as witness his delicate and
charming piece Le Moineau de Lesbie, his Bacchante,
and his bronze portraits); he next showed
that etching had no terrors for him; nor
the little pastel stick, wielded with a fanciful
grace which was far from ordinary. Needless
to add, he knows how to paint, and that is
the least of all. Morin is a most amusing and
" LE MOINEAU DE I.ESBIE" BY LOUIS MORIN
242
SMOKER'S CABINET BY W. STEVENSON
FRENCH CARICATURIST :
LOUIS MORIN. BY HENRY
BOUCHER.
One phrase, and that used in its most manifest
sense, suffices to describe the subject of this article :
Louis Morin is an artist. In him we find all the ex-
ceptional qualities, so rare in these days, which go
to make up the true artist.
The original and quite personal nature of his
work causes one something like surprise at this
century-end, for there is that about it which would
suggest that the author was even now carrying on
the tradition of the maitresgalanis of the eighteenth
century, but in the spirit of the present day.
Morin is incontestably the direct descendant of
the incomparable and glorious masters, chief among
whom for all time are Watteau, Fragonard and
Chardin. Yet not to them alone does he owe all
his genius. Some of his most seductive gifts were
inspired by the brilliant illustrators of that period :
Marillier, Saint-Aubin, Gravelot, Eisen, Debucourt
and others. The Italians, too, had a certain
influence over Morin, particularly Tiepolo, Longhi
and Canaletto, who appealed to him strongly and
with the happiest results. In fact, he neglected
none of the sources whence he might derive in-
spiration ; and thus, without any slavish imitation,
he developed the manner and the style which
characterise his most delicate and beautiful art.
Far from confining himself to one art, or to one
particular groove thereof, Morin tried his gifted
hand in all directions. Above all else, Morin is
an illustrator, that is certain; and I shall have
more to say on that point presently. But he
began with architecture, then turned his atten-
tion to sculpture (as witness his delicate and
charming piece Le Moineau de Lesbie, his Bacchante,
and his bronze portraits); he next showed
that etching had no terrors for him; nor
the little pastel stick, wielded with a fanciful
grace which was far from ordinary. Needless
to add, he knows how to paint, and that is
the least of all. Morin is a most amusing and
" LE MOINEAU DE I.ESBIE" BY LOUIS MORIN
242