byHonoredeBalzacTranslatedbyKatharinePrescottWormeleyDEDICATION
TotheLieutenant—ColonelofArtillery,Periollas,AsaTestimonyoftheAffectionateEsteemoftheAuthor,DeBalzacPIERREGRASSOU
Wheneveryouhavegonetotakeaseriouslookattheexhibitionofworksofsculptureandpainting,suchasithasbeensincetherevolutionof1830,haveyounotbeenseizedbyasenseofuneasiness,weariness,sadness,atthesightofthoselongandover—crowdedgalleries?Since1830,thetrueSalonnolongerexists。TheLouvrehasagainbeentakenbyassault,——thistimebyapopulaceofartistswhohavemaintainedthemselvesinit。
Inotherdays,whentheSalonpresentedonlythechoicestworksofart,itconferredthehighesthonoronthecreationsthereexhibited。
Amongthetwohundredselectedpaintings,thepubliccouldstillchoose:acrownwasawardedtothemasterpiecebyhandsunseen。Eager,impassioneddiscussionsaroseaboutsomepicture。TheabuseshoweredonDelacroix,onIngres,contributednolesstotheirfamethanthepraisesandfanaticismoftheiradherents。To—day,neitherthecrowdnorthecriticismgrowsimpassionedabouttheproductsofthatbazaar。
Forcedtomaketheselectionforitself,whichinformerdaystheexaminingjurymadeforit,theattentionofthepublicissoonweariedandtheexhibitioncloses。Beforetheyear1817thepicturesadmittedneverwentbeyondthefirsttwocolumnsofthelonggalleryoftheoldmasters;butinthatyear,tothegreatastonishmentofthepublic,theyfilledthewholespace。Historical,high—art,genrepaintings,easelpictures,landscapes,flowers,animals,andwater—
colors,——theseeightspecialtiescouldsurelynotoffermorethantwentypicturesinoneyearworthyoftheeyesofthepublic,which,indeed,cannotgiveitsattentiontoagreaternumberofsuchworks。
Themorethenumberofartistsincreases,themorecarefulandexactingthejuryofadmissionoughttobe。
ThetruecharacteroftheSalonwaslostassoonasitspreadalongthegalleries。TheSalonshouldhaveremainedwithinfixedlimitsofinflexibleproportions,whereeachdistinctspecialtycouldshowitsmasterpiecesonly。Anexperienceoftenyearshasshowntheexcellenceoftheformerinstitution。Now,insteadofatournament,wehaveamob;insteadofanobleexhibition,wehaveatumultuousbazaar;
insteadofachoiceselectionwehaveachaoticmass。Whatistheresult?Agreatartistisswamped。Decamps’"TurkishCafe,""ChildrenataFountain,""Joseph,"and"TheTorture,"wouldhaveredoundedfarmoretohiscreditifthefourpictureshadbeenexhibitedinthegreatSalonwiththehundredgoodpicturesofthatyear,thanhistwentypicturescould,amongthreethousandothers,jumbledtogetherinsixgalleries。
Bysomestrangecontradiction,eversincethedoorsareopentoeveryonetherehasbeenmuchtalkofunknownandunrecognizedgenius。When,twelveyearsearlier,Ingres’"Courtesan,"andthatofSigalon,the"Medusa"ofGericault,the"MassacreofScio"byDelacroix,the"BaptismofHenriIV。"byEugeneDeveria,admittedbycelebratedartistsaccusedofjealousy,showedtheworld,inspiteofthedenialsofcriticism,thatyoungandvigorouspalettesexisted,nosuchcomplaintwasmade。Now,whentheveriestdauberofcanvascansendinhiswork,thewholetalkisofgeniusneglected!Wherejudgmentnolongerexists,thereisnolongeranythingjudged。Butwhateverartistsmaybedoingnow,theywillcomebackintimetotheexaminationandselectionwhichpresentstheirworkstotheadmirationofthecrowdforwhomtheywork。WithoutselectionbytheAcademytherewillbenoSalon,andwithouttheSalonartmayperish。
Eversincethecataloguehasgrownintoabook,manynameshaveappearedinitwhichstillremainintheirnativeobscurity,inspiteofthetenoradozenpicturesattachedtothem。AmongthesenamesperhapsthemostunknowntofameisthatofanartistnamedPierreGrassou,comingfromFougeres,andcalledsimply"Fougeres"amonghisbrother—artists,who,atthepresentmomentholdsaplace,asthesayingis,"inthesun,"andwhosuggestedtheratherbitterreflectionsbywhichthissketchofhislifeisintroduced,——
reflectionsthatareapplicabletomanyotherindividualsofthetribeofartists。
In1832,FougereslivedintheruedeNavarin,onthefourthfloorofoneofthosetall,narrowhouseswhichresembletheobeliskofLuxor,andpossessanalley,adarklittlestairwaywithdangerousturnings,threewindowsonlyoneachfloor,and,withinthebuilding,acourtyard,or,tospeakmorecorrectly,asquarepitorwell。AbovethethreeorfourroomsoccupiedbyGrassouofFougereswashisstudio,lookingovertoMontmartre。Thisstudiowaspaintedinbrick—
color,forabackground;thefloorwastintedbrownandwellfrotted;
eachchairwasfurnishedwithabitofcarpetboundroundtheedges;
thesofa,simpleenough,wascleanasthatinthebedroomofsomeworthybourgeoise。Allthesethingsdenotedthetidywaysofasmallmindandthethriftofapoorman。Abureauwasthere,inwhichtoputawaythestudioimplements,atableforbreakfast,asideboard,asecretary;inshort,allthearticlesnecessarytoapainter,neatlyarrangedandveryclean。ThestoveparticipatedinthisDutchcleanliness,whichwasallthemorevisiblebecausethepureandlittlechanginglightfromthenorthfloodedwithitscoldclearbeamsthevastapartment。Fougeres,beingmerelyagenrepainter,doesnotneedtheimmensemachineryandoutfitwhichruinhistoricalpainters;
hehasneverrecognizedwithinhimselfsufficientfacultytoattempthigh—art,andhethereforeclingstoeaselpainting。
AtthebeginningofthemonthofDecemberofthatyear,aseasonatwhichthebourgeoisofParisconceive,periodically,theburlesqueideaofperpetuatingtheirformsandfiguresalreadytoobulkyinthemselves,PierreGrassou,whohadrisenearly,preparedhispalette,andlightedhisstove,waseatingarollsteepedinmilk,andwaitingtillthefrostonhiswindowshadmeltedsufficientlytoletthefulllightin。Theweatherwasfineanddry。Atthismomenttheartist,whoatehisbreadwiththatpatient,resignedairthattellssomuch,heardandrecognizedthestepofamanwhohaduponhislifetheinfluencesuchmenhaveonthelivesofnearlyallartists,——thestepofElieMagus,apicture—dealer,ausurerincanvas。ThenextmomentElieMagusenteredandfoundthepainterintheactofbeginninghisworkinthetidystudio。
"Howareyou,oldrascal?"saidthepainter。
FougereshadthecrossoftheLegionofhonor,andElieMagusboughthispicturesattwoandthreehundredfrancsapiece,sohegavehimselftheairsofafineartist。
"Businessisverybad,"repliedElie。"Youartistshavesuchpretensions!Youtalkoftwohundredfrancswhenyouhaven’tputsixsous’worthofcoloronacanvas。However,youareagoodfellow,I’llsaythat。Youaresteady;andI’vecometoputagoodbitofbusinessinyourway。"
"TimeoDanaosetdonaferentes,"saidFougeres。"DoyouknowLatin?"
"No。"
"Well,itmeansthattheGreeksneverproposedagoodbitofbusinesstotheTrojanswithoutgettingtheirfairshareofit。Intheoldentimetheyusedtosay,’Takemyhorse。’Nowwesay,’Takemybear。’
Well,whatdoyouwant,Ulysses—Lagingeole—ElieMagus?"
ThesewordswillgiveanideaofthemildnessandwitwithwhichFougeresemployedwhatpainterscallstudiofun。
"Well,Idon’tdenythatyouaretopaintmetwopicturesfornothing。"
"Oh!oh!"
"I’llleaveyoutodoit,ornot;Idon’taskit。Butyou’reanhonestman。"
"Come,outwithit!"
"Well,I’mpreparedtobringyouafather,mother,andonlydaughter。"
"Allforme?"
"Yes——theywanttheirportraitstaken。Thesebourgeois——theyarecrazyaboutart——haveneverdaredtoenterastudio。Thegirlhasa’dot’ofahundredthousandfrancs。Youcanpaintallthree,——perhapsthey’llturnoutfamilyportraits。"
AndwiththattheoldDutchlogofwoodwhopassedforamanandwhowascalledElieMagus,interruptedhimselftolaughanuncannylaughwhichfrightenedthepainter。HefanciedheheardMephistophelestalkingmarriage。
"Portraitsbringfivehundredfrancsapiece,"wentonElie;"soyoucanverywellaffordtopaintmethreepictures。"
"Trueforyou!"criedFougeres,gleefully。
"Andifyoumarrythegirl,youwon’tforgetme。"
"Marry!I?"criedPierreGrassou,——"I,whohaveahabitofsleepingalone;andgetupatcock—crow,andallmylifearranged——"
"Onehundredthousandfrancs,"saidMagus,"andaquietgirl,fullofgoldentones,asyoucall’em,likeaTitian。"
"Whatclassofpeoplearethey?"
"Retiredmerchants;justnowinlovewithart;haveacountry—houseatVilled’Avray,andtenortwelvethousandfrancsayear。"
"Whatbusinessdidtheydo?"
"Bottles。"
"Nowdon’tsaythatword;itmakesmethinkofcorksandsetsmyteethonedge。"
"AmItobringthem?"
"Threeportraits——IcouldputthemintheSalon;Imightgoinforportrait—painting。Well,yes!"
OldEliedescendedthestaircasetogoinsearchoftheVervellefamily。Toknowtowhatextendthispropositionwouldactuponthepainter,andwhateffectwouldbeproduceduponhimbytheSieurandDameVervelle,adornedbytheironlydaughter,itisnecessarytocastaneyeontheanteriorlifeofPierreGrassouofFougeres。
Whenapupil,FougereshadstudieddrawingwithServin,whowasthoughtagreatdraughtsmaninacademiccircles。AfterthathewenttoSchinner’s,tolearnthesecretsofthepowerfulandmagnificentcolorwhichdistinguishesthatmaster。Masterandscholarswerealldiscreet;atanyratePierrediscoverednoneoftheirsecrets。FromtherehewenttoSommervieux’atelier,toacquirethatportionoftheartofpaintingwhichiscalledcomposition,butcompositionwasshyanddistanttohim。ThenhetriedtosnatchfromDecampsandGranetthemysteryoftheirinterioreffects。Thetwomasterswerenotrobbed。FinallyFougeresendedhiseducationwithDuval—Lecamus。
DuringthesestudiedandthesedifferenttransformationsFougeres’
habitsandwaysoflifeweretranquilandmoraltoadegreethatfurnishedmatterofjestingtothevariousatelierswherehesojourned;buteverywherehedisarmedhiscomradesbyhismodestyandbythepatienceandgentlenessofalamblikenature。Themasters,however,hadnosympathyforthegoodlad;masterspreferbrightfellows,eccentricspirits,drollorfiery,orelsegloomyanddeeplyreflective,whicharguefuturetalent。EverythingaboutPierreGrassousmackedofmediocrity。Hisnickname"Fougeres"(thatofthepainterintheplayof"TheEglantine")wasthesourceofmuchteasing;but,byforceofcircumstances,heacceptedthenameofthetowninwhichhehadfirstseenlight。
GrassouofFougeresresembledhisname。Plumpandofmediumheight,hehadadullcomplexion,browneyes,blackhair,aturned—upnose,ratherwidemouth,andlongears。Hisgentle,passive,andresignedairgaveacertainrelieftotheseleadingfeaturesofaphysiognomythatwasfullofhealth,butwantinginaction。Thisyoungman,borntobeavirtuousbourgeois,havinglefthisnativeplaceandcometoParistobeclerkwithacolor—merchant(formerlyofMayenneandadistantconnectionoftheOrgemonts)madehimselfapaintersimplybythefactofanobstinacywhichconstitutestheBretoncharacter。Whathesuffered,themannerinwhichhelivedduringthoseyearsofstudy,Godonlyknows。Hesufferedasmuchasgreatmensufferwhentheyarehoundedbypovertyandhuntedlikewildbeastsbythepackofcommonplacemindsandbytroopsofvanitiesathirstforvengeance。
Assoonashethoughthimselfabletoflyonhisownwings,FougerestookastudiointheupperpartoftheruedesMartyrs,wherehebegantodelvehisway。Hemadehisfirstappearancein1819。ThefirstpicturehepresentedtothejuryoftheExhibitionattheLouvrerepresentedavillageweddingratherlaboriouslycopiedfromGreuze’spicture。Itwasrejected。WhenFougeresheardofthefataldecision,hedidnotfallintooneofthosefitsofepilepticself—lovetowhichstrongnaturesgivethemselvesup,andwhichsometimesendinchallengessenttothedirectororthesecretaryoftheMuseum,orevenbythreatsofassassination。Fougeresquietlyfetchedhiscanvas,wrappeditinahandkerchief,andbroughtithome,vowinginhisheartthathewouldstillmakehimselfagreatpainter。Heplacedhispictureontheeasel,andwenttooneofhisformermasters,amanofimmensetalent,——toSchinner,akindandpatientartist,whosetriumphatthatyear’sSalonwascomplete。Fougeresaskedhimtocomeandcriticisetherejectedwork。Thegreatpainterlefteverythingandwentatonce。WhenpoorFougereshadplacedtheworkbeforehimSchinner,afteraglance,pressedFougeres’hand。
"Youareafinefellow,"hesaid;"you’veaheartofgold,andImustnotdeceiveyou。Listen;youarefulfillingallthepromisesyoumadeinthestudios。Whenyoufindsuchthingsasthatatthetipofyourbrush,mygoodFougeres,youhadbetterleavecolorswithBrullon,andnottakethecanvasofothers。Gohomeearly,putonyourcottonnight—cap,andbeinbedbynineo’clock。Thenextmorningearlygotosomegovernmentoffice,askforaplace,andgiveupart。"
"Mydearfriend,"saidFougeres,"mypictureisalreadycondemned;itisnotaverdictthatIwantofyou,butthecauseofthatverdict。"
"Well——youpaintgrayandsombre;youseenaturebeingacrapeveil;
yourdrawingisheavy,pasty;yourcompositionisamedleyofGreuze,whoonlyredeemedhisdefectsbythequalitieswhichyoulack。"
WhiledetailingthesefaultsofthepictureSchinnersawonFougeres’
facesodeepanexpressionofsadnessthathecarriedhimofftodinnerandtriedtoconsolehim。Thenextmorningatseveno’clockFougereswasathiseaselworkingovertherejectedpicture;hewarmedthecolors;hemadethecorrectionssuggestedbySchinner,hetoucheduphisfigures。Then,disgustedwithsuchpatching,hecarriedthepicturetoElieMagus。ElieMagus,asortofDutch—Flemish—Belgian,hadthreereasonsforbeingwhathebecame,——richandavaricious。
CominglastfromBordeaux,hewasjuststartinginParis,sellingoldpicturesandlivingontheboulevardBonne—Nouvelle。Fougeres,whoreliedonhispalettetogotothebaker’s,bravelyatebreadandnuts,orbreadandmilk,orbreadandcherries,orbreadandcheese,accordingtotheseasons。ElieMagus,towhomPierreofferedhisfirstpicture,eyeditforsometimeandthengavehimfifteenfrancs。
"Withfifteenfrancsayearcomingin,andathousandfrancsforexpenses,"saidFougeres,smiling,"amanwillgofastandfar。"
ElieMagusmadeagesture;hebithisthumbs,thinkingthathemighthavehadthatpictureforfivefrancs。
ForseveraldaysPierrewalkeddownfromtheruedesMartyrsandstationedhimselfatthecorneroftheboulevardoppositetoElie’sshop,whencehiseyecouldrestuponhispicture,whichdidnotobtainanynoticefromtheeyesofthepassersalongthestreet。Attheendofaweekthepicturedisappeared;Fougereswalkedslowlyupandapproachedthedealer’sshopinaloungingmanner。TheJewwasathisdoor。
"Well,Iseeyouhavesoldmypicture。"
"No,hereitis,"saidMagus;"I’veframedit,toshowittosomeonewhofanciesheknowsaboutpainting。"
Fougereshadnotthehearttoreturntotheboulevard。Hesetaboutanotherpicture,andspenttwomonthsuponit,——eatingmouse’smealsandworkinglikeagalley—slave。
Oneeveninghewenttotheboulevard,hisfeetleadinghimfatefullytothedealer’sshop。Hispicturewasnottobeseen。
"I’vesoldyourpicture,"saidElieMagus,seeinghim。
"Forhowmuch?"
"IgotbackwhatIgaveandasmallinterest。MakemesomeFlemishinteriors,alessonofanatomy,landscapes,andsuchlike,andI’llbuythemofyou,"saidElie。
FougereswouldfainhavetakenoldMagusinhisarms;heregardedhimasafather。Hewenthomewithjoyinhisheart;thegreatpainterSchinnerwasmistakenafterall!InthatimmensecityofParisthereweresomeheartsthatbeatinunisonwithPierre’s;histalentwasunderstoodandappreciated。Thepoorfellowoftwenty—sevenhadtheinnocenceofaladofsixteen。Anotherman,oneofthosedistrustful,surlyartists,wouldhavenoticedthediabolicallookonElie’sfaceandseenthetwitchingofthehairsofhisbeard,theironyofhismoustache,andthemovementofhisshoulderswhichbetrayedthesatisfactionofWalterScott’sJewinswindlingaChristian。
Fougeresmarchedalongtheboulevardinastateofjoywhichgavetohishonestfaceanexpressionofpride。Hewaslikeaschoolboyprotectingawoman。HemetJosephBridau,oneofhiscomrades,andoneofthoseeccentricgeniusesdestinedtofameandsorrow。JosephBridau,whohad,tousehisownexpression,afewsousinhispocket,tookFougerestotheOpera。ButFougeresdidn’tseetheballet,didn’thearthemusic;hewasimaginingpictures,hewaspainting。HeleftJosephinthemiddleoftheevening,andranhometomakesketchesbylamp—light。Heinventedthirtypictures,allreminiscence,andfelthimselfamanofgenius。Thenextdayheboughtcolors,andcanvasesofvariousdimensions;hepiledupbreadandcheeseonhistable,hefilledawater—potwithwater,helaidinaprovisionofwoodforhisstove;then,touseastudioexpression,hedugathispictures。HehiredseveralmodelsandMaguslenthimstuffs。
Aftertwomonths’seclusiontheBretonhadfinishedfourpictures。
AgainheaskedcounselofSchinner,thistimeaddingBridautotheinvitation。ThetwopainterssawinthreeofthesepicturesaservileimitationofDutchlandscapesandinteriorsbyMetzu,inthefourthacopyofRembrandt’s"LessonofAnatomy。"
"Stillimitating!"saidSchinner。"Ah!Fougerescan’tmanagetobeoriginal。"
"Yououghttodosomethingelsethanpainting,"saidBridau。
"What?"askedFougeres。
"Flingyourselfintoliterature。"
Fougeresloweredhisheadlikeasheepwhenitrains。Thenheaskedandobtainedcertainusefuladvice,andretouchedhispicturesbeforetakingthemtoElieMagus。Eliepaidhimtwenty—fivefrancsapiece。AtthatpriceofcourseFougeresearnednothing;neitherdidhelose,thankstohissoberliving。Hemadeafewexcursionstotheboulevardtoseewhatbecameofhispictures,andthereheunderwentasingularhallucination。Hisneat,cleanpaintings,hardastinandshinyasporcelain,werecoveredwithasortofmist;theylookedlikeolddaubs。Maguswasout,andPierrecouldobtainnoinformationonthisphenomenon。Hefanciedsomethingwaswrongwithhiseyes。
Thepainterwentbacktohisstudioandmademorepictures。AftersevenyearsofcontinuedtoilFougeresmanagedtocomposeandexecutequitepassablework。Hedidaswellasanyartistofthesecondclass。
ElieboughtandsoldallthepaintingsofthepoorBreton,whoearnedlaboriouslyabouttwothousandfrancsayearwhilehespentbuttwelvehundred。
AttheExhibitionof1829,LeondeLora,Schinner,andBridau,whoallthreeoccupiedagreatpositionandwere,infact,attheheadoftheartmovement,werefilledwithpityfortheperseveranceandthepovertyoftheiroldfriend;andtheycausedtobeadmittedintothegrandsalonoftheExhibition,apicturebyFougeres。Thispicture,powerfulininterestbutderivedfromVigneronastosentimentandfromDubufe’sfirstmannerastoexecution,representedayoungmaninprison,whosehairwasbeingcutaroundthenapeoftheneck。Ononesidewasapriest,ontheothertwowomen,oneold,oneyoung,intears。Asheriff’sclerkwasreadingaloudadocument。Onawretchedtablewasameal,untouched。Thelightcameinthroughthebarsofawindowneartheceiling。Itwasapicturefittomakethebourgeoisshudder,andthebourgeoisshuddered。FougereshadsimplybeeninspiredbythemasterpieceofGerardDouw;hehadturnedthegroupofthe"DropsicalWoman"towardthewindow,insteadofpresentingitfullfront。Thecondemnedmanwassubstitutedforthedyingwoman——samepallor,sameglance,sameappealtoGod。InsteadoftheDutchdoctor,hehadpaintedthecold,officialfigureofthesheriff’sclerkattiredinblack;buthehadaddedanoldwomantotheyoungoneofGerardDouw。Thecruellysimpleandgood—humoredfaceoftheexecutionercompletedanddominatedthegroup。Thisplagiarism,verycleverlydisguised,wasnotdiscovered。Thecataloguecontainedthefollowing:——
510。GrassoudeFougeres(Pierre),ruedeNavarin,2。
Death—toiletofaChouan,condemnedtoexecutionin1809。
Thoughwhollysecond—rate,thepicturehadimmensesuccess,foritrecalledtheaffairofthe"chauffeurs,"ofMortagne。Acrowdcollectedeverydaybeforethenowfashionablecanvas;evenCharlesX。
pausedtolookatit。"Madame,"beingtoldofthepatientlifeofthepoorBreton,becameenthusiasticoverhim。TheDucd’Orleansaskedthepriceofthepicture。TheclergytoldMadamelaDauphinethatthesubjectwassuggestiveofgoodthoughts;andtherewas,intruth,amostsatisfyingreligioustoneaboutit。MonseigneurtheDauphinadmiredthedustonthestone—floor,——ahugeblunder,bytheway,forFougereshadpaintedgreenishtonessuggestiveofmildewalongthebaseofthewalls。"Madame"finallyboughtthepictureforathousandfrancs,andtheDauphinorderedanotherlikeit。CharlesX。gavethecrossoftheLegionofhonortothissonofapeasantwhohadfoughtfortheroyalcausein1799。(JosephBridau,thegreatpainter,wasnotyetdecorated。)TheministeroftheInteriororderedtwochurchpicturesofFougeres。
ThisSalonof1829wastoPierreGrassouhiswholefortune,fame,future,andlife。Beoriginal,invent,andyoudiebyinches;copy,imitate,andyou’lllive。Afterthisdiscoveryofagoldmine,GrassoudeFougeresobtainedhisbenefitofthefatalprincipletowhichsocietyowesthewretchedmediocritiestowhomareintrustedinthesedaystheelectionofleadersinallsocialclasses;whoproceed,naturally,toelectthemselvesandwhowageabitterwaragainstalltruetalent。Theprincipleofelectionappliedindiscriminatelyisfalse,andFrancewillsomedayabandonit。
Neverthelessthemodesty,simplicity,andgenuinesurpriseofthegoodandgentleFougeressilencedallenvyandallrecriminations。Besides,hehadonhissideallofhisclanwhohadsucceeded,andallwhoexpectedtosucceed。Somepersons,touchedbythepersistentenergyofamanwhomnothinghaddiscouraged,talkedofDomenichinoandsaid:——
"Perseveranceintheartsshouldberewarded。Grassouhasn’tstolenhissuccesses;hehasdelvedfortenyears,thepoordearman!"
Thatexclamationof"poordearman!"countedforhalfinthesupportandthecongratulationswhichthepainterreceived。Pitysetsupmediocritiesasenvypullsdowngreattalents,andinequalnumbers。
Thenewspapers,itistrue,didnotsparecriticism,butthechevalierFougeresdigestedthemashehaddigestedthecounselofhisfriends,withangelicpatience。
Possessing,bythistime,fifteenthousandfrancs,laboriouslyearned,hefurnishedanapartmentandstudiointheruedeNavarin,andpaintedthepictureorderedbyMonseigneurtheDauphin,alsothetwochurchpictures,anddeliveredthematthetimeagreedon,withapunctualitythatwasverydiscomfortingtotheexchequeroftheministry,accustomedtoadifferentcourseofaction。But——admirethegoodfortuneofmenwhoaremethodical——ifGrassou,belatedwithhiswork,hadbeencaughtbytherevolutionofJulyhewouldnothavegothismoney。
Bythetimehewasthirty—sevenFougereshadmanufacturedforElieMagussometwohundredpictures,allofthemutterlyunknown,bythehelpofwhichhehadattainedtothatsatisfyingmanner,thatpointofexecutionbeforewhichthetrueartistshrugshisshouldersandthebourgeoisieworships。Fougereswasdeartofriendsforrectitudeofideas,forsteadinessofsentiment,absolutekindliness,andgreatloyalty;thoughtheyhadnoesteemforhispalette,theylovedthemanwhoheldit。
"WhatamisfortuneitisthatFougereshastheviceofpainting!"saidhiscomrades。
Butforallthis,Grassougaveexcellentcounsel,likethosefeuilletonistsincapableofwritingabookwhoknowverywellwhereabookiswanting。Therewasthisdifference,however,betweenliterarycriticsandFougeres;hewaseminentlysensitivetobeauties;hefeltthem,heacknowledgedthem,andhisadvicewasinstinctwithaspiritofjusticethatmadethejustnessofhisremarksacceptable。AftertherevolutionofJuly,FougeressentabouttenpicturesayeartotheSalon,ofwhichthejuryadmittedfourorfive。Helivedwiththemostrigideconomy,hishouseholdbeingmanagedsolelybyanoldcharwoman。
Forallamusementhevisitedhisfriends,hewenttoseeworksofart,heallowedhimselfafewlittletripsaboutFrance,andheplannedtogotoSwitzerlandinsearchofinspiration。Thisdetestableartistwasanexcellentcitizen;hemountedguardduly,wenttoreviews,andpaidhisrentandprovision—billswithbourgeoispunctuality。
Havinglivedallhislifeintoilandpoverty,hehadneverhadthetimetolove。Poorandabachelor,untilnowhedidnotdesiretocomplicatehissimplelife。Incapableofdevisinganymeansofincreasinghislittlefortune,hecarried,everythreemonths,tohisnotary,Cardot,hisquarterlyearningsandeconomies。Whenthenotaryhadreceivedaboutthreethousandfrancsheinvestedtheminsomefirstmortgage,theinterestofwhichhedrewhimselfandaddedtothequarterlypaymentsmadetohimbyFougeres。Thepainterwasawaitingthefortunatemomentwhenhispropertythuslaidbywouldgivehimtheimposingincomeoftwothousandfrancs,toallowhimselftheotiumcumdignitateoftheartistandpaintpictures;butoh!whatpictures!
truepictures!eachafinishedpicture!chouette,Koxnoff,chocnosoff!
Hisfuture,hisdreamsofhappiness,thesuperlativeofhishopes——doyouknowwhatitwas?ToentertheInstituteandobtainthegradeofofficeroftheLegionofhonor;tosidedownbesideSchinnerandLeondeLora,toreachtheAcademybeforeBridau,toweararosetteinhisbuttonhole!Whatadream!Itisonlycommonplacemenwhothinkofeverything。
Hearingthesoundofseveralstepsonthestaircase,Fougeresrubbeduphishair,buttonedhisjacketofbottle—greenvelveteen,andwasnotalittleamazedtosee,enteringhisdoorway,asimpletonfacevulgarlycalledinstudioslanga"melon。"Thisfruitsurmountedapumpkin,clothedinblueclothadornedwithabunchoftintinnabulatingbaubles。Themelonpuffedlikeawalrus;thepumpkinadvancedonturnips,improperlycalledlegs。Atruepainterwouldhaveturnedthelittlebottle—vendoroffatonce,assuringhimthathedidn’tpaintvegetables。Thispainterlookedathisclientwithoutasmile,forMonsieurVervelleworeathree—thousand—francdiamondinthebosomofhisshirt。
FougeresglancedatMagusandsaid:"There’sfatinit!"usingaslangtermthenmuchinvogueinthestudios。
HearingthosewordsMonsieurVervellefrowned。Theworthybourgeoisdrewafterhimanothercomplicationofvegetablesinthepersonsofhiswifeanddaughter。Thewifehadafineveneerofmahoganyonherface,andinfiguresheresembledacocoa—nut,surmountedbyaheadandtiedinaroundthewaist。Shepivotedonherlegs,whichweretap—
rooted,andhergownwasyellowwithblackstripes。Sheproudlyexhibitedunutterablemittensonapuffypairofhands;theplumesofafirst—classfuneralfloatedonanover—flowingbonnet;lacesadornedhershoulders,asroundbehindastheywerebefore;consequently,thesphericalformofthecocoa—nutwasperfect。Herfeet,ofakindthatpainterscallabatis,roseabovethevarnishedleatheroftheshoesinaswellingthatwassomeincheshigh。Howthefeetwereevergotintotheshoes,nooneknows。
Followingthesevegetableparentswasayoungasparagus,whopresentedatinyheadwithsmoothlybandedhairoftheyellow—carrotytonethataRomanadores,long,stringyarms,afairlywhiteskinwithreddishspotsuponit,largeinnocenteyes,andwhitelashes,scarcelyanybrows,aleghornbonnetboundwithwhitesatinandadornedwithtwohonestbowsofthesamesatin,handsvirtuouslyred,andthefeetofhermother。Thefacesofthesethreebeingswore,astheylookedroundthestudio,anairofhappinesswhichbespokeinthemarespectableenthusiasmforArt。
"Soitisyou,monsieur,whoaregoingtotakeourlikenesses?"saidthefather,assumingajauntyair。
"Yes,monsieur,"repliedGrassou。
"Vervelle,hehasthecross!"whisperedthewifetothehusbandwhilethepainter’sbackwasturned。
"ShouldIbelikelytohaveourportraitspaintedbyanartistwhowasn’tdecorated?"returnedtheformerbottle—dealer。
ElieMagusherebowedtotheVervellefamilyandwentaway。Grassouaccompaniedhimtothelanding。
"There’snoonebutyouwhowouldfishupsuchwhales。"
"Onehundredthousandfrancsof’dot’!"
"Yes,butwhatafamily!"
"Threehundredthousandfrancsofexpectations,ahouseintherueBoucherat,andacountry—houseatVilled’Avray!"
"Bottlesandcorks!bottlesandcorks!"saidthepainter;"theysetmyteethonedge。"
"Safefromwantfortherestofyourdays,"saidElieMagusashedeparted。
ThatideaenteredtheheadofPierreGrassouasthedaylighthadburstintohisgarretthatmorning。
Whileheposedthefatheroftheyoungperson,hethoughtthebottle—
dealerhadagoodcountenance,andheadmiredthefacefullofviolenttones。Themotheranddaughterhoveredabouttheeasel,marvellingatallhispreparations;theyevidentlythoughthimademigod。ThisvisibleadmirationpleasedFougeres。Thegoldencalfthrewuponthefamilyitsfantasticreflections。
"Youmustearnlotsofmoney;butofcourseyoudon’tspenditasyougetit,"saidthemother。
"No,madame,"repliedthepainter;"Idon’tspendit;Ihavenotthemeanstoamusemyself。Mynotaryinvestsmymoney;heknowswhatI
have;assoonasIhavetakenhimthemoneyIneverthinkofitagain。"
"I’vealwaysbeentold,"criedoldVervelle,"thatartistswerebasketswithholesinthem。"
"Whoisyournotary——ifitisnotindiscreettoask?"saidMadameVervelle。
"Agoodfellow,allround,"repliedGrassou。"HisnameisCardot。"
"Well,well!ifthatisn’tajoke!"exclaimedVervelle。"Cardotisournotarytoo。"
"Takecare!don’tmove,"saidthepainter。
"Doprayholdstill,Antenor,"saidthewife。"Ifyoumoveaboutyou’llmakemonsieurmiss;youshouldjustseehimworking,andthenyou’dunderstand。"
"Oh!whydidn’tyouhavemetaughtthearts?"saidMademoiselleVervelletoherparents。
"Virginie,"saidhermother,"ayoungpersonoughtnottolearncertainthings。Whenyouaremarried——well,tillthen,keepquiet。"
DuringthisfirstsittingtheVervellefamilybecamealmostintimatewiththeworthyartist。Theyweretocomeagaintwodayslater。AstheywentawaythefathertoldVirginietowalkinfront;butinspiteofthisseparation,sheoverheardthefollowingwords,whichnaturallyawakenedhercuriosity。
"Decorated——thirty—sevenyearsold——anartistwhogetsorders——putshismoneywithournotary。We’llconsultCardot。Hein!MadamedeFougeres!notabadname——doesn’tlooklikeabadmaneither!Onemightpreferamerchant;butbeforeamerchantretiresfrombusinessonecanneverknowwhatone’sdaughtermaycometo;whereasaneconomicalartist——andthenyouknowweloveArt——Well,we’llsee!"
WhiletheVervellefamilydiscussedPierreGrassou,PierreGrassoudiscussedinhisownmindtheVervellefamily。Hefounditimpossibletostaypeacefullyinhisstudio,sohetookawalkontheboulevard,andlookedatallthered—hairedwomenwhopassedhim。Hemadeaseriesoftheoddestreasoningstohimself:goldwasthehandsomestofmetals;atawnyyellowrepresentedgold;theRomanswerefondofred—
hairedwomen,andheturnedRoman,etc。Aftertwoyearsofmarriagewhatmanwouldevercareaboutthecolorofhiswife’shair?Beautyfades,——butuglinessremains!Moneyisone—halfofallhappiness。ThatnightwhenhewenttobedthepainterhadcometothinkVirginieVervellecharming。
WhenthethreeVervellesarrivedonthedayofthesecondsittingtheartistreceivedthemwithsmiles。Therascalhadshavedandputoncleanlinen;hehadalsoarrangedhishairinapleasingmanner,andchosenaverybecomingpairoftrousersandredleatherslipperswithpointedtoes。Thefamilyrepliedwithsmilesasflatteringasthoseoftheartist。Virginiebecamethecolorofherhair,loweredhereyes,andturnedasideherheadtolookatthesketches。PierreGrassouthoughttheselittleaffectationscharming,Virginiehadsuchgrace;
happilyshedidn’tlooklikeherfatherorhermother;butwhomdidshelooklike?
Duringthissittingtherewerelittleskirmishesbetweenthefamilyandthepainter,whohadtheaudacitytocallpereVervellewitty。
Thisflatterybroughtthefamilyonthedouble—quicktotheheartoftheartist;hegaveadrawingtothedaughter,andasketchtothemother。
"What!fornothing?"theysaid。
PierreGrassoucouldnothelpsmiling。
"Youshouldn’tgiveawayyourpicturesinthatway;theyaremoney,"
saidoldVervelle。
AtthethirdsittingpereVervellementionedafinegalleryofpictureswhichhehadinhiscountry—houseatVilled’Avray——Rubens,GerardDouw,Mieris,Terburg,Rembrandt,Titian,PaulPotter,etc。
"MonsieurVervellehasbeenveryextravagant,"saidMadameVervelle,ostentatiously。"Hehasoveronehundredthousandfrancs’worthofpictures。"
"IloveArt,"saidtheformerbottle—dealer。
WhenMadameVervelle’sportraitwasbegunthatofherhusbandwasnearlyfinished,andtheenthusiasmofthefamilyknewnobounds。Thenotaryhadspokeninthehighestpraiseofthepainter。PierreGrassouwas,hesaid,oneofthemosthonestfellowsonearth;hehadlaidbythirty—sixthousandfrancs;hisdaysofpovertywereover;henowsavedabouttenthousandfrancsayearandcapitalizedtheinterest;
inshort,hewasincapableofmakingawomanunhappy。Thislastremarkhadenormousweightinthescales。Vervelle’sfriendsnowheardofnothingbutthecelebratedpainterFougeres。
ThedayonwhichFougeresbegantheportraitofMademoiselleVirginie,hewasvirtuallyson—in—lawtotheVervellefamily。ThethreeVervellesbloomedoutinthisstudio,whichtheywerenowaccustomedtoconsiderasoneoftheirresidences;therewastothemaninexplicableattractioninthisclean,neat,pretty,andartisticabode。Abyssusabyssum,thecommonplaceattractsthecommonplace。
Towardtheendofthesittingthestairwayshook,thedoorwasviolentlythrustopenbyJosephBridau;hecamelikeawhirlwind,hishairflying。Heshowedhisgrandhaggardfaceashelookedabouthim,castingeverywherethelightningofhisglance;thenhewalkedroundthewholestudio,andreturnedabruptlytoGrassou,pullinghiscoattogetheroverthegastricregion,andendeavouring,butinvain,tobuttonit,thebuttonmouldhavingescapedfromitscapsuleofcloth。
"Woodisdear,"hesaidtoGrassou。
"Ah!"
"TheBritishareafterme"(slangtermforcreditors)"Gracious!doyoupaintsuchthingsasthat?"
"Holdyourtongue!"
"Ah!tobesure,yes。"
TheVervellefamily,extremelyshockedbythisextraordinaryapparition,passedfromitsordinaryredtoacherry—red,twoshadesdeeper。
"Bringsin,hey?"continuedJoseph。"Anyshotinyourlocker?"
"Howmuchdoyouwant?"
"Fivehundred。I’vegotoneofthosebull—dogdealersafterme,andifthefellowoncegetshisteethinhewon’tletgowhilethere’sabitofmeleft。Whatacrew!"
"I’llwriteyoualineformynotary。"
"Haveyougotanotary?"
"Yes。"
"Thatexplainstomewhyyoustillmakecheekswithpinktoneslikeaperfumer’ssign。"
Grassoucouldnothelpcoloring,forVirginiewassitting。
"TakeNatureasyoufindher,"saidthegreatpainter,goingonwithhislecture。"Mademoiselleisred—haired。Well,isthatasin?Allthingsaremagnificentinpainting。Putsomevermilliononyourpalette,andwarmupthosecheeks;touchinthoselittlebrownspots;
come,butteritwellin。DoyoupretendtohavemoresensethanNature?"
"Lookhere,"saidFougeres,"takemyplacewhileIgoandwritethatnote。"
VervellerolledtothetableandwhisperedinGrassou’sear:——
"Won’tthatcountryloutspoiltit?"
"IfhewouldonlypainttheportraitofyourVirginieitwouldbeworthathousandtimesmorethanmine,"repliedFougeres,vehemently。
Hearingthatreplythebourgeoisbeataquietretreattohiswife,whowasstupefiedbytheinvasionofthisferociousanimal,andveryuneasyathisco—operationinherdaughter’sportrait。
"Here,followtheseindications,"saidBridau,returningthepalette,andtakingthenote。"Iwon’tthankyou。Icangobacknowtod’Arthez’chateau,whereIamdoingadining—room,andLeondeLorathetopsofthedoors——masterpieces!Comeandseeus。"
Andoffhewentwithouttakingleave,havinghadenoughoflookingatVirginie。
"Whoisthatman?"askedMadameVervelle。
"Agreatartist,"answeredGrassou。
Therewassilenceforamoment。
"Areyouquitesure,"saidVirginie,"thathehasdonenoharmtomyportrait?Hefrightenedme。"
"Hehasonlydoneitgood,"repliedGrassou。
"Well,ifheisagreatartist,Ipreferagreatartistlikeyou,"
saidMadameVervelle。
Thewaysofgeniushadruffleduptheseorderlybourgeois。
Thephaseofautumnsopleasantlynamed"SaintMartin’ssummer"wasjustbeginning。Withthetimidityofaneophyteinpresenceofamanofgenius,VervelleriskedgivingFougeresaninvitationtocomeouttohiscountry—houseonthefollowingSunday。Heknew,hesaid,howlittleattractionaplainbourgeoisfamilycouldoffertoanartist。
"Youartists,"hecontinued,"wantemotions,greatscenes,andwittytalk;butyou’llfindgoodwines,andIrelyonmycollectionofpicturestocompensateanartistlikeyoufortheboreofdiningwithmeremerchants。"
Thisformofidolatry,whichstrokedhisinnocentself—love,wascharmingtoourpoorPierreGrassou,solittleaccustomedtosuchcompliments。Thehonestartist,thatatrociousmediocrity,thatheartofgold,thatloyalsoul,thatstupiddraughtsman,thatworthyfellow,decoratedbyroyaltyitselfwiththeLegionofhonor,puthimselfunderarmstogoouttoVilled’Avrayandenjoythelastfinedaysoftheyear。Thepainterwentmodestlybypublicconveyance,andhecouldnotbutadmirethebeautifulvillaofthebottle—dealer,standinginaparkoffiveacresatthesummitofVilled’Avray,commandinganobleviewofthelandscape。MarryVirginie,andhavethatbeautifulvillasomedayforhisown!
HewasreceivedbytheVervelleswithanenthusiasm,ajoy,akindliness,afrankbourgeoisabsurditywhichconfoundedhim。Itwasindeedadayoftriumph。Theprospectiveson—in—lawwasmarchedaboutthegroundsonthenankeen—coloredpaths,allrakedastheyshouldbeforthestepsofsogreataman。Thetreesthemselveslookedbrushedandcombed,andthelawnshadjustbeenmown。Thepurecountryairwaftedtothenostrilsamostenticingsmellofcooking。Allthingsaboutthemansionseemedtosay:
"Wehaveagreatartistamongus。"
LittleoldVervellehimselfrolledlikeanapplethroughhispark,thedaughtermeanderedlikeaneel,themotherfollowedwithdignifiedstep。ThesethreebeingsneverletgoforonemomentofPierreGrassouforsevenhours。Afterdinner,thelengthofwhichequalleditsmagnificence,MonsieurandMadameVervellereachedthemomentoftheirgrandtheatricaleffect,——theopeningofthepicturegalleryilluminatedbylamps,thereflectionsofwhichweremanagedwiththeutmostcare。Threeneighbours,alsoretiredmerchants,anolduncle(fromwhomwereexpectations),anelderlyDemoiselleVervelle,andanumberofotherguestsinvitedtobepresentatthisovationtoagreatartistfollowedGrassouintothepicturegallery,allcurioustohearhisopinionofthefamouscollectionofpereVervelle,whowasfondofoppressingthemwiththefabulousvalueofhispaintings。Thebottle—merchantseemedtohavetheideaofcompetingwithKingLouis—
PhilippeandthegalleriesofVersailles。
Thepictures,magnificentlyframed,eachborelabelsonwhichwasreadinblacklettersonagoldground:
RubensDanceoffaunsandnymphsRembrandtInteriorofadissectingroom。ThephysicianvanTrompinstructinghispupils。
Inall,therewereonehundredandfiftypictures,varnishedanddusted。Somewerecoveredwithgreenbaizecurtainswhichwerenotundrawninpresenceofyoungladies。
PierreGrassoustoodwitharmspendent,gapingmouth,andnoworduponhislipsasherecognizedhalfhisownpicturesintheseworksofart。
HewasRubens,hewasRembrandt,Mieris,Metzu,PaulPotter,GerardDouw!Hewastwentygreatmastersallbyhimself。
"Whatisthematter?You’veturnedpale!"
"Daughter,aglassofwater!quick!"criedMadameVervelle。ThepaintertookpereVervellebythebuttonofhiscoatandledhimtoacorneronpretenceoflookingataMurillo。Spanishpictureswerethentherage。
"YouboughtyourpicturesfromElieMagus?"
"Yes,alloriginals。"
"Betweenourselves,tellmewhathemadeyoupayforthoseIshallpointouttoyou。"
Togethertheywalkedroundthegallery。Theguestswereamazedatthegravityinwhichtheartistproceeded,incompanywiththehost,toexamineeachpicture。
"Threethousandfrancs,"saidVervelleinawhisper,astheyreachedthelast,"butItelleverybodyfortythousand。"
"FortythousandforaTitian!"saidtheartist,aloud。"Why,itisnothingatall!"
"Didn’tItellyou,"saidVervelle,"thatIhadthreehundredthousandfrancs’worthofpictures?"
"Ipaintedthosepictures,"saidPierreGrassouinVervelle’sear,"andIsoldthemonebyonetoElieMagusforlessthantenthousandfrancsthewholelot。"
"Proveittome,"saidthebottle—dealer,"andIdoublemydaughter’s’dot,’forifitisso,youareRubens,Rembrandt,Titian,GerardDouw!"
"AndMagusisafamouspicture—dealer!"saidthepainter,whonowsawthemeaningofthemistyandagedlookimpartedtohispicturesinElie’sshop,andtheutilityofthesubjectsthepicture—dealerhadrequiredofhim。
Farfromlosingtheesteemofhisadmiringbottle—merchant,MonsieurdeFougeres(forsothefamilypersistedincallingPierreGrassou)
advancedsomuchthatwhentheportraitswerefinishedhepresentedthemgratuitouslytohisfather—in—law,hismother—in—lawandhiswife。
Atthepresentday,PierreGrassou,whonevermissesexhibitingattheSalon,passesinbourgeoisregionsforafineportrait—painter。Heearnssometwentythousandfrancsayearandspoilsathousandfrancs’
worthofcanvas。Hiswifehassixthousandfrancsayearindowry,andheliveswithhisfather—in—law。TheVervellesandtheGrassous,whoagreedelightfully,keepacarriage,andarethehappiestpeopleonearth。PierreGrassouneveremergesfromthebourgeoiscircle,inwhichheisconsideredoneofthegreatestartistsoftheperiod。NotafamilyportraitispaintedbetweenthebarrierduTroneandtherueduTemplethatisnotdonebythisgreatpainter;noneofthemcostslessthanfivehundredfrancs。Thegreatreasonwhichthebourgeoisfamilieshaveforemployinghimisthis:——
"Saywhatyouwillofhim,helaysbytwentythousandfrancsayearwithhisnotary。"
AsGrassoutookacreditablepartontheoccasionoftheriotsofMay12thhewasappointedanofficeroftheLegionofhonor。HeisamajorintheNationalGuard。TheMuseumofVersaillesfeltitincumbenttoorderabattle—pieceofsoexcellentacitizen,whothereuponwalkedaboutParistomeethisoldcomradesandhavethehappinessofsayingtothem:——
"TheKinghasgivenmeanorderfortheMuseumofVersailles。"
MadamedeFougeresadoresherhusband,towhomshehaspresentedtwochildren。Thispainter,agoodfatherandagoodhusband,isunabletoeradicatefromhisheartafatalthought,namely,thatartistslaughathiswork;thathisnameisatermofcontemptinthestudios;andthatthefeuilletonstakenonoticeofhispictures。Buthestillworkson;heaimsfortheAcademy,where,undoubtedly,hewillenter。
And——oh!vengeancewhichdilateshisheart!——hebuysthepicturesofcelebratedartistswhoarepinchedformeans,andhesubstitutesthesetrueworksofartsthatarenothisownforthewretcheddaubsinthecollectionatVilled’Avray。
TherearemanymediocritiesmoreaggressiveandmoremischievousthanthatofPierreGrassou,whois,moreover,anonymouslybenevolentandtrulyobliging。
ADDENDUM
ThefollowingpersonagesappearinotherstoriesoftheHumanComedy。
Bridau,JosephThePurseABachelor’sEstablishmentADistinguishedProvincialatParisAStartinLifeModesteMignonAnotherStudyofWomanLettersofTwoBridesCousinBettyTheMemberforArcisCardot(Parisiannotary)
TheMuseoftheDepartmentAManofBusinessJealousiesofaCountryTownTheMiddleClassesCousinPonsGrassou,PierreABachelor’sEstablishmentCousinBettyTheMiddleClassesCousinPonsLora,LeondeTheUnconsciousHumoristsABachelor’sEstablishmentAStartinLifeHonorineCousinBettyBeatrixMagus,ElieTheVendettaAMarriageSettlementABachelor’sEstablishmentCousinPonsSchinner,HippolyteThePurseABachelor’sEstablishmentAStartinLifeAlbertSavarusTheGovernmentClerksModesteMignonTheImaginaryMistressTheUnconsciousHumoristsEnd
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