Cecilia Beaux, M. Julien and His Académie

"Portrait of a Young Woman" by Cecilia Beaux

Cecilia Beaux wrote: "M. Julien, the organizer and director of the cours, had been a prize-fighter by profession, and whatever the turn of fate or necessity that directed his ambitions toward the realm of the Fine Arts, he was certainly an example of the versatility of the French mind. He had never attempted to become an artist, but he had frequented the milieus and haunts of artists. 

The lobbies of the Salons and the Exhibitions were familiar to him. He had haunted the sittings of juries, in one capacity or another, listened in cafes and on the boulevards to the heated discussions of the newcomer and the Grands Maitres on the pavés through spring nights. All was familiar to him and he to all. Most of all he had lived in Paris and had for years not stirred outside of her most characteristic circle. As he was French, neither his origin nor his eye for business stood in the way of culture in the Fine Arts, far in advance of his opportunities.

He was a big, handsome man, who never for a moment forgot his position of manager only, and held the masters who came to criticize the class in high reverence. Nevertheless, he had an eye on every pupil, and would appear unexpectedly in the class, a serious and observant figure, decidedly on the watch. 

Rudolphe Julian

Women's Class at l'Académie Julian

We had no luxuries. The room was kept warm by a stove, on the models' account. But for that, I fancy we should often have drawn with numb fingers. The patience and fidelity of the models to their job was pitiful. There were so many others to take their place, if they failed. One poor thing, who had the face of a worn-out provider, and with her aging countenance and shabby clothes, would never have been noticed by anyone, had a slender and perfect form with exquisite articulations. She used to fetch a large basket of mending from behind the screen during the rests, and drawing a forlorn skirt about her shoulders, fall to with French zeal upon small ragged stockings and patched underwear. I heard that she was a favorite model for the 'Printemps,' 'Sources,' and 'Jeunesse' that we were to admire in the Salon before long"

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Background with Figures," the autobiography of Cecilia Beaux.)