Fata Morgana: A Romance of Art Student Life in Paris

"Fata Morgana: A Romance of Art Student Life in Paris" by J. André Castaigne is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Phil Longwill, a young American painter navigating life as an art student in Paris, where he reminisces about his childhood friend Helia, an acrobatic star from a circus. As Phil struggles to establish his artistic identity amidst the bohemian culture of Paris, he reconnects with Helia, who becomes a muse for his work. The opening of the novel introduces Phil after a late night at the Quat’z-Arts Ball, where he is inspired by Helia's presence during the festivities. He daydreams about their shared past while preparing for her to pose for a painting he is creating. This segment also highlights Phil's interactions with characters like Caracal, a critic he both admires and despises, and the Duke of Morgania, who is interested in Phil's work. As the scene unfolds, it sets the stage for an exploration of both Phil's artistic ambition and the evolving relationship between him and Helia, establishing the novel's themes of love, memory, and the pursuit of artistic glory. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Jean Alexandre Michel André Castaigne was a French artist and engraver, a student of Jean-Léon Gérôme and Alexandre Cabanel. Subsequently he became a leading illustrator in the United States. He is often recalled as the original illustrator of the first edition of The Phantom of the Opera.