Studio: international art (17.1899)

Emile Claus

would run away, and go, on foot if need be, to
Paris, Art’s own capital! A few days later the boy
was back in his native village ; a compromise was
effected, and the unsuccessful pastrycook was
allowed to devote part of his time to the study of
drawing and painting. But not for long. His
father’s next idea was to make him a watchman
on the railway between Anseghem and Ingel-
munster; but so indifferently did he look after
the workmen placed under his protection that he
was incontinently sent home—with many thanks !
Another brief period of liberty, and then Emile
was told off to assist one of his brothers-in-law,
who was in the linen trade. It was no good; he
had not the least inclination for serious, profitable
work. They sent him to Ghent. He promptly
made his way to Bruges, where he spent his time

wandering through the ancient streets and along
the canals, delighted to watch the reflections in the
still waters of the Lac d’Amour, or to gaze at the
churches and art galleries. Would he ever be good
for anything, beyond daubing every available piece
of woodwork with his incoherent brush ? Finally
it was decided that at all cost he must be sent
away to earn his living alone, and Strasburg was
chosen as the place of exile.

But Providence was at hand. Peter Benoit, the
musician, as was his custom every year, came for a
few days to stay with his parents, who lived at
Vive-Saint-Eloi. Pie chanced to notice some of
the young painter’s despised works, and, like the
true artist he was, saw at once that, despite their
ignorance and their want of skill, they were in-
spired by a true artistic temperament. He con-

‘ A L’OMBRE ”

I44

BY EMILE CLAUS