George P. A. Healy: Thomas Couture's Attitude

"The Realist" by Thomas Couture

"Thomas Couture was a good painter, but a very bad courtier. He proved it every time he was placed in contact with the great ones of this world, whether sovereigns or members of the Institute of France. That was not the way to make his talent popular. He had several opportunities of making his way to honors and to fortune - opportunities which another might have utilized, but which he wasted. Doubtless he made good resolutions, but when the time came he was unable to control his impatience and his sharp retorts.

Couture's reputation was so well established when Napoleon III, took possession of the throne that it was impossible to treat him slightingly, though Couture's talent was not such as courts, as a usual thing, care to encourage. The favorite painter of the Third Empire was Winterhalter. However, an order was given to Couture for a large picture representing the baptism of the little Prince Imperial. He went to work with great ardor, making sketches and preparing a vast composition. 

In the course of the work, sittings from the various members of the imperial family and their immediate followers were granted to him. It is likely that in Couture's case the sittings were not agreeable either to the painter or to his models. Napoleon III, wished to direct his artist, and of all artists Couture was the least easy to direct. Finally, one day, goaded beyond endurance, the painter turned around and said: 'Sire, who is to paint this picture - your Majesty or I?' And neither painted it! The Emperor gave no more sittings, turned his back on the painter, and his courtiers turned theirs also. The order was not maintained, and all the work of many months was wasted.

Couture never recovered from this bitter disappointment. He shook the dust from his feet, and returned contempt for contempt. From that day on he never sent any work to the annual Salon, and, little by little, so retired from the world that many thought him dead."

To be continued

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