BASTIEN-LEPAGE, bustyiIN' AV. JULES (1848-84). A French painter. Ile was born at Damvillers, November 1, 1848, and died in Paris, December 10, 1884. His bent toward art began in his early years, and at the age of five lie would copy things by the wayside. This tendency was further developed by his father, who encouraged him, during winter evenings, to copy some house hold object. After taking several prizes for drawing at the College of Verdun. he went to study in Paris in 1867. Here, for the first six months. he was a student by day, and at night a postal agent. Finding this life impracticable, he gave himself entirely to art study, entering the class of Cabal's.] at the Eeole des Beaux Arts. His family managed to contribute a small monthly sum with which to increase a pension of 600 francs allowed him by the Council-General of the Meuse. The first of his pictures to com mand attention were in the Salon of 1874.1vhere he exhibited "The Song of Spring" and a "Por trait of My Grandfather." The picture of his grandfather struck a new note in portrait art, and the artist was immediately called a revo lutionary. It was a portrait painted en Mein. air, and full of delicate outdoor light, very truly recorded. The attitude of the figure. was
unconventional; the model was in the act of snuff-taking, snuff-box in hand and handkerchief over knee. From this time on, Lepage scored a success at the Salon, although he failed in his two efforts to secure the Prix de Rome. This was, in a way, fortunate for his future, fur lie was little in sympathy with school traditions. His chief canvases are The Haymakers" (1878), in the Luxembourg (Paris) ; "The Potato Gath erers" (1879) : "Joan of Are Listening to the Voices" (1880), Metropolitan of Art, New York. Mention should also be made of "The Beggar" (1881), "Love in a Village" (1883), and his last dated work, "The Forge" (1884). Ilis numerous portraits are remarkable for strong eharacterizatbm, attained through the closeness of their drawing. Among his notable subjects are Mine. Sarah Bernhardt, Albert Wolff. the Prince of Wales (Edward VII.), and Gambetta on his deathbed. He received several medals awl was made a chevalier of the Legion of Honor ( 1879 ) . Consult : Marie Bashkirtself, Journal intime (Paris, 1890) ; A. Theuriet, Basticn Lepage, l'hommc et l'artistc (Paris, 1885).