首页 >出版文学> Pierre Grassou>第1章

第1章

  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