Studio: international art (57.1913)

M. Fernand Khnopff's Villa

ANTE-CHAMBER IN WHITE MARBLE (See t. 20l)

pencil for the scenery of “ Parsifal,” which is to be
given next season.

Back through the studio one goes to the corridor
and up the large staircase to a small ante-room
which leads to the “ Blue Room.” In this
“ Chambre bleuc” Fernand Khnopff has placed
some of the works of his favourite artists. There
is a picture by Delacroix, a few reproductions of
the works of Gustave Moreau, a kindred spirit, and
a very beautiful portrait done in red chalk, which
was given to the artist by Burne-Jones. In this
“ Chambre bleue ” all the objects are precious
and bear illustrious signatures. Among others is
the artist’s portrait of his sister. In the bay-
window, through which nothing but green foliage
can be seen, a Malmaison exhales its delicate
perfume. It is in this room, where all the blues
are exquisitely in harmony, that the artist rests after
his work, soothed by the sounds of the piano which
float in through the open window' from the room
below, and here in this poetical atmosphere Fernand
Khnopff dreams and composes beautiful works.

In his home, which is the expression of his ideal,
far from the world, cut off from all outside in-
fluences, alone in his haughty solitude, Fernand
Khnopff listens only to the voice of art, and he
works methodically at the development of his
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conscious self. When young painters come to ask
his advice he says : “ Above all, be sincere ; if you
have nothing to say, say nothing.” “Art is not a
necessity,” he adds.

In this house there is nothing to remind one of
time or care; desire and regret are banished. The
artist follows the line of life he has laid dowrn for
himself and his attitude corresponds to that
English motto which he has made his own:
“Make the best of everything.” Born a Belgian,
he has an English nature, for knowing himself to
be but little understood he takes refuge in solitude
and silence. With a smile of mingled pride and
satisfaction he often repeats these words : “ Yraiment
on n’a que soi.”

Pride in the form of a peacock guards the door
and Iiypnos sheds throughout the house the
atmosphere of sleep, a sleep that leads to dreams.
True to his conception of art, Fernand Khnopff
has reached the noblest realisation of his best self;
as Dumont-Wilden has said of this cold and beautiful
house, it is indeed “ the fortress of an individuality
in perpetual defence against the World and Life.”

“i.OGLTTE” IN WHITE MARBLE, WITH A JAPANESE
EMBROIDERY PANEL AND STANDARD SUPPORTING A
BLUE GLASS VENETIAN VASE AND IVORY MASK
(see f. 202)