George P. A. Healy: Thomas Couture, Teacher

"Self-Portrait" by Thomas Couture

"In his country retreat Thomas Couture was not, however, abandoned. Pupils gathered about him, living in the village so as to profit by the master's advice. Among these were many Americans. Mr. Ernest Longfellow, son of the poet, was of the number. Couture was an excellent master, and took great interest in the progress of his pupils. His great precept was 'Look at Nature; copy Nature.' 

He published a little book full of good advice to young artists, giving the result of many years' experience. All his pupils were fond of him, which proves that the exterior peculiarities, which sometimes shocked strangers, were soon overlooked by those who were able to appreciate his sterling qualities.

Couture was fond of telling the story of his first pupil. He was still a young man when, one morning, he heard a timid knock at his door. 'Come in!' said he, and a young fellow, dressed like a well-to-do countryman entered and begged the painter to take him in as pupil. 'I have no pupils, and I wish for none,' was the discouraging answer. But the youth was tenacious. He would be so discrete. His master need not feel his presence. All he asked for was a corner of the atelier from which he could see the great artist at work. He would make himself of use, wash the brushes, set the palette, run errands, do anything that was required of him. Finally the artist impatiently took up his pipe and found that his tobacco pouch was empty. 'Go and buy me some tobacco!' he cried. The young man disappeared, and soon returned. Couture smoked, was mollified and yielded. 

This strange pupil remained with him for more than a year. Couture often wondered how he managed to live. He spent all his time working without showing very great natural talent, and Couture's excellent heart was concerned. How was that poor fellow ever to get salt for his porridge with his painting? One day the pupil invited him to dinner, and to his amazement, the young man, dressed like a gentleman, took him to the best restaurant in Paris. It turned out that he also owned a beautiful chateau in Normandy, which contained one of the finest collections of pictures and rare curiosities in all France. The poor, humble pupil who ran on his errands and washed his brushes was a very rich amateur, whose passion for painting had led him to seek the sincere and disinterested lessons of a master he admired."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Reminiscences of a Portrait Painter" by G. A. P. Healy.)