Studio: international art (5.1895)

The Art of Boutet de Monvel

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artist's work in line, an excellent example of which, by art-lovers and by all among us who are of
in the Entrance to Paradise, we are enabled, wider patriotism. Its appearance will be the
through the courtesy of the publisher, M. culmination of one of Boutet de Monvel's most
Delagrave, here to illustrate. In this picture we considerable labours, and it is to be hoped that
meet with a naivete and a spice of humour it will be received with gratifying recognition,
altogether welcome. At least one of the examples I do not attempt in these brief notes anything
which illustrate this article gives evidence of a like a profound or detailed study of the works
vigour, a robustness, a verve, which one would of Boutet de Monvel. In an appreciation, de-
hardly have expected from Boutet de Monvel. It structive criticism should be kept within definite
is difficult to see the artist of the Paons Planes limits, even if it should exist at all; at the same
(which owing to its extreme delicacy it has been time, one is unfair in claiming for the subject of
found impossible to reproduce) in the splendid one's approval qualities which he does not possess,
scene of struggle, in the crowded riot of war, The art of Boutet de Monvel is dainty, refined,
which characterises the Bataille de Patay. This and lacks neither technical skill nor poetic qualities,
remarkable composition will repay the most careful It is the outcome of infinite pains, and evidences
attention. Every inch of
it is of interest; it is full
of passages of frenzied
energy, of crashing strife.
It is a realisation of a
" riot of charges, a revel of
blows," of " a steel-shod
rush, and a steel-clad ring,
and a crash of the spear-
staves splintering and the
billowy battle blended."
The magnificent prancing
war-horse, the armoured
warrior who rides it, the
soldier clutching wildly at
the bridle, form the centre
of this impressive design,
which is a study for one
of a series of illustrations
of the life of Joan of Arc.
The career of perhaps the
most picturesque of the
world's heroines has ap-
pealed very strongly to
Boutet de Monvel, native
as he is of Orleans ; and
at infinite pains, with ex-
cellent craft, he has devised
a coloured picture-book in
which will be portrayed the
chief events in her passage
from the vision to the
stake. The book will pro-
duce a state of fine frenzy
in all Frenchmen, big or
little, and if it fails to
arouse a less intense en-
thusiasm in England, it is

certain to be well received portrait study in lead pencil by m. b. de monvel

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