ARTISTS' MODELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13307, 13 October 1906, Page 5 (Supplement)

ARTISTS' MODELS.

MEN HAVE POSED FOR PICTURES OF WOMEN. It is an interesting fact that artists have used women as models from which to paint men, and men as models from which to itpresent women. One of the most striking instances is the. well-known picture, "Napoleon on Board the Belleroplion." A woman friend of the paiuUr was the model ior the Little Corporal." Laiidseer's famous picture, " the Naughty Boy," was really painted from a little girl, Lady Rachel Russell. As a matter of fact, says the Strand, the child's mother had taken her to have her portrait painted. When, however, she. arrived at the studio she refused to pore in the wav the artist suggested, and became so sulky and naughty that it was impossible to do anything with her. At length her mother put her in the corner as a punishment. There the turned such a sturdy, defiant look that she impressed Laiuiseer, who sketched the recalcitrant little one as she stood. A sense of chivalry toward the child caused him to change the sex of the subject, so he added the broken slate, the rumpled hair, the undone boots, while keeping the dishevelled dress, and gave a titlo to the canvas which has removed -it from any suggestion of portraiture. Wilkie's Blind Fiddler," which created a furore when it was exhibited at the Royal Academy, furnishes another instance, for the artist actually sat to himself for the figure of the old woman. Wilkic used to say that 0110 day Bannister, the actor, called and was shown, in while he was sitting on a low seat, dressed as a woman, with a looking-glass in front of him, performing the part of a model for himself. Wilkic was not the man to be in the least discomposed at being found in such a plight. Bannister gazed on him for a moment or so, and then said : "I need 110 introduction." "Truly. no," said Wilkie. "I know you very well, but, you eee, I can't move lest I spoil the folds of my petticoat. I am for the present an old woman." On one occasion Guido painted the head of a Madonna, using his porter as a model.