Frederick Carl Frieseke: Associations

"Selecting a Necklace" by Frederick Carl Frieseke

"The same year that Frederick Carl Frieseke had spent the summer sketching in Holland, James McNeill Whistler founded his Académie Carmen. Named for his Neapolitan model Carmen Rossi (who had posed for Rodin's 'The Kiss'), the Académie Carmen followed the formula devised by Julian, in which a model was available all day. Off the rue Notre Dame des Champs, the academy was in the midst of the Montparnasse artists' quarter. Frieseke attended it, as did Will Howe Foote, whose son later passed along a description of the instructional style of the master. 

When he did appear among the students, Whistler would do so in full dress - cane, gloves, and all - followed by an attendant. When the great man was moved to do so he would pause before a cringing student's wet canvas and, using the tips of his gloved fingers, inscribe corrections into the paint. He would then cast the soiled glove aside, accept a fresh glove from the attendant, and, slipping it on, proceed to the next student. Whistler, finding Frieseke at work in watercolor, thought enough of his efforts to suggest that he change to oils. Already a superior draftsman, with a line both accurate and elegant, Frieseke now added to this foundation instruction in the use of oils according to Whistler's method.

Soon after his arrival in Paris Frieseke made his way to the American Art Association of Paris, on the boulevard du Montparnasse. This club had the backing of such prominent Americans as Whitelaw Reid, minister to France, and Rodman Wanamaker, son of the department store magnate John Wanamaker. The club held regular exhibitions, where members could see each other's work. It also held special programs, and Frieseke would on occasion make spirited drawings for these. As a result there followed an invitation to become the illustrator of catalogues and advertisements for John Wanamaker's stores in Philadelphia and New York 'at a large salary,' an offer that Frieseke was able to finesse into a more modest arrangement that allowed him to remain in Paris. He agreed to provide Wanamaker with a regular supply of drawings in exchange for a salary that would cover his living expenses. The association with the Wanamakers was to continue, and to lead to significant commissions in later years."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Frederick Carl Frieseke: A Biography by Nicholas Kilmer" in Frederick Carl Frieseke: The Evolution of an American Impressionist"published on the occasion of an exhibition of Frieseke's work.)