Studio: international art (18.1900)

Sketches by Puvis de Chavannes

tached by the disciples of Delacroix—that is to say, Maries. They are indications clear and precise

by almost all our artists. From that time forward (and the more easily understood, as one can study

Puvis de Chavannes' manner grew broader and them minutely side by side with the master's pre-

clearer; he became more vious works) of the evolu-

and more attentive to tion of his genius. Start-

s^^ , . - ^...... ■ -, ,

Ludus pro Patrid, and had most affinity. Take

of Ave, Picardia Nutrix ; a photograph of the Porte

the studies for Marseille, Doree of the Chapelle de

de r Orient, and 1'Arena at Padua and

Marseille,ColonieGrecque, place it beside the De-

full of rich and glowing barquement des Saintes-

colour; La Phhe, La Vi- Maries. Have not the

gilance (1866)—the last two masters been in-

a noble figure, which spired by precisely the

might be compared to same artistic conception ?

certain of Burne-Jones' Strange, that the state of

studies ; the sketches for mind and of spirit in

the Decollation de St. Puvis de Chavannes at

Jean-Baptiste, and the the close of this century

Pauvre Pecheur; the of steam and electricity

series of cartoons, prepa- \ should so closely resem-

ratory studies, &c, for the ble that which animated

great decorative schemes Giotto in the early days

now adorning our public when art was in its pure,

buildings; then a few of sincere, unstudied in-

his tableaux de chevalet, fancy ! There is in this

such as L'Enfant ^ Pro- \ modern Frenchman the

of prodigious ability, and whose aim was to
his L'Esperance, already "la vigilance" by puvis de chavannes glorify the idea within
published in these pages. them, and not simply to
It is late in the day, and exa^ tneh- own personal
superfluous, moreover, to acclaim the remarkable gifts. They were not always exclaiming, " Look how
merit of Puvis de Chavannes' work ; but, although clever I am ! See what genius I have for effects of
my space is limited, I cannot resist the temptation light! How beautiful my colouring and my draughts-
to dwell very briefly on some of the beautiful things manship ! And how superior my work to that of any
I have enumerated. See, for example, his com- one else ! " They would simply say, " That is how I (
positions for the Prise du Pantheon and the stair- feel and how I think. I cannot feel or think other-
case of the Hotel de Ville, and those for La Famille wise, and if I can make you feel and think as I do,
du Phheur and the Debarquement des Saintes- that is all I ask, for I have not wasted my time."

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