Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1504681
1 6 P E R S P E C T I V E | J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 truancy, she found Ben an unpaid apprenticeship with a gentleman who did estimations for house restorations. This experience allowed Ben to develop his math and spatial drawing skills while gaining access to the interiors of many beautiful houses in Paris. Unfortunately, Ben's new patron had a weakness for drink, gambling and horse racing that would bring a close to their working relationship. Atelier Amable 1900–1905 A family friend referred Ben to Monsieur Amable, the owner and master painter at Atelier Amable, one of the leading scenic paint studios in Paris. Clients included: the Opéra de Paris, the Comédie Française, Covent Garden, London's Earl's Court, many music halls and the recent Paris Exposition. Ben was now 17 and the year was 1900, the pinnacle of the Belle Epoque in Paris. He was accepted as an unpaid scenic apprentice requiring a three-year commitment on his part. At the Amable Studio, Ben discovered his life's true calling, creating art on a grand scale. Ben told his mother, "At last, I got my wish, I am with artists who paint all day long and love their work." Ben was mentored and challenged by the leading Scenic Artists of the day. All were unique individuals. They whistled in the morning, took proper French lunches and sang in the afternoons. All artists were masters of classical drawing and painting for the opera, theatre and ballet. They saw something special in Ben and encouraged him to spend many hours after A. TYPICAL SCENIC PAINT STUDIO, CIRCA 1900. B. TRADITIONAL PARISIAN SCENIC PAINT STUDIO WHERE ALL BACKDROPS AND SCENERY PIECES WERE PAINTED ON THE FLOOR RATHER THAN VERTICAL FRAME. CIRCA 1900 C. BEN CARRÉ, AGE 17, APPRENTICE SCENIC PAINTER PERIOD, PARIS 1900. D. LEON GAUMONT, FOUNDER OF CITÉ GAUMONT; ALICE GUY, SECRETARY AND FUTURE FIRST DIRECTOR OF FILM PRODUCTION, PARIS 1896. E. ALICE GUY ON LOCATION DIRECTING GAUMONT'S FIRST FEATURE FILM, THE BIRTH, THE LIFE, AND THE DEATH OF CHRIST, CITÉ GAUMONT, PARIS 1906. A B C D E