He held himself up as an example of the reward
of disinterestedness, of the triumph of the artist who clings
obstinately to his convictions.
"A man must believe in his star--look at Napoleon! It's the dogged
trust in one's convictions that tells--it always ends by forcing the
public into line. Only be sure you make no concessions--don't give
in to any of their humbug! An artist who lis- tens to the critics is
ruined--they never have any use for the poor devils who do what they
tell them to. Run after fame and she'll keep you running, but stay
in your own corner and do your own work, and by George, sir, she'll
come crawling up to you and ask to have her likeness done!"
These exhortations were chiefly directed to Stanwell, partly because
the inmates of the other studios were apt to elude them, partly also
because the rumours concerning Stanwell's portrait of Mrs.
Millington had begun to disquiet the sculptor. At first he had taken
a condescending interest in the fact of his friend's receiving an
order, and had admonished him not to lose the chance of "showing up"
his sitter and her environment.
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