"Wait, wait!! What nonsense are you talking about!"
At that moment, the stout man, whom I thought had retreated, interrupted with a loud voice.
Hmm, who exactly is this person?
If he's with Mucha, he must have some significant standing.
"I am the manager of the Comédie Française! Do you understand?! I am the manager of the theater where Madame Sarah Bernhardt performs!!"
Ah, I see.
"So?"
"So? Really!!"
Well, it can't be helped.
Certainly, I know about the Comédie Française, the only national theater in France, and its renowned actress Sarah Bernhardt.
It's not knowledge from the future, but from the high-society knowledge I picked up in the 19th century.
Considering the strained relations between France and England, even if one dislikes it, one must know about it, which is impressive in its own way.
But, aside from that.
"I understand how great Sarah Bernhardt is as an actress. However, I don't think it's appropriate to interfere between the parties involved."
"It's you who's interfering between the parties!! Monsieur Alphonse Mucha has signed a six-year contract directly with Madame Bernhardt! For the next five years, Mucha is our exclusive artist at the Comédie Française!!"
"Hmm, is that so?"
I glanced at Alphonse Mucha.
He, the slightly older Art Nouveau artist, nodded his head awkwardly, as if embarrassed.
Tsk, such a shame.
I couldn't help but click my tongue. So, it's already too late to buy in at a low point?
No, thinking about it, this is actually normal. After all, my knowledge of the future helped me spot opportunities. If an artist is truly outstanding, it's natural for those with real aesthetic insight to recognize and secure them.
However.
"So?"
"What, what do you mean?!"
"I understand that Monsieur Mucha has been appointed as Sarah Bernhardt's exclusive designer."
I neatly clasped my hands and spoke with feigned politeness.
"But, he's not affiliated with the company and is a freelancer with his own workshop. Is it common sense to focus on just one celebrity? This seems quite unusual to me."
"T-That's…"
Even in the money-driven 19th century, such unfair contracts wouldn't fly, even in America.
It would be better to go for a hostile takeover.
Besides, I had some certainty about this.
If Sarah Bernhardt were someone who engaged in such dirty tricks, she wouldn't be considered the top actress in France.
It's not that France is particularly virtuous, but her competitors wouldn't have let it slide.
They would have created all kinds of gossip to bring her down. There are countless sentences that pop into my head just thinking about it.
Even if, perhaps… even if it were true, it wouldn't matter. I'm not so short on resources that I need to be concerned about this.
"Of course, if that were the case, I'd be willing to cover the penalty myself."
"A-penalty?"
"Yes. I can handle that amount easily."
I spoke confidently.
The funds I have at my disposal are not insignificant, and even if they were lacking, I could easily request more from the publishing house.
Although such spending isn't my preference—since I don't avoid fights initiated by others—it's unavoidable.
"So, what will you do?"
"Wait a moment, Monsieur."
At that moment, Alphonse Mucha, who had been silent, swallowed hard and spoke up.
"There's a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding?"
"Yes. As stated, I run my own workshop, and therefore, there are no legal issues with proceeding with the publishing house's contract."
"I see. I understand what you mean."
In other words, it's not the cliché of 'an exploited talent being rescued by the brilliant protagonist.' What a shame.
Anyway, then… what's the problem? When I asked, Mucha spoke gloomily.
"It's simply that my resources are limited… and I find it difficult to manage all that work."
"Then, why not hire more people?"
"How can that be, Monsieur?"
Mucha said, lowering his head. I couldn't help but frown.
"What do you mean? Who wouldn't want to be an apprentice to Mucha, the most successful commercial artist in Paris right now?"
"That's the issue."
Yet, Alphonse Mucha still furrowed his brow.
Slumping into his seat with a thud, he sighed deeply before asking.
"Being the top seller sounds good, but honestly, if I were to tell my past self from a year ago that I would be this successful, I wouldn't have believed it."
"Well…"
That's not uncommon in art.
I nodded. In this field, it's often a matter of luck and timing.
"So what's the problem? Are you saying that since you've hit it big, you're worried it might not last?"
"No, it's not that. I've caught the wave, and I'm confident in my skills. It's just that…"
Time, time is too short.
"I initially planned to take on apprentices. But now, with the workload, I'm too busy to manage apprentices. If I were to take them on, they'd only be able to handle minor tasks. They wouldn't be able to contribute significantly. And hiring someone who can paint even a little would be impractical… their style is too different from mine."
"Ah…"
I suppose that's understandable. It's a common story.
I couldn't help but nod.
This is indeed a time of upheaval in art history. Like the Warring States period, many styles are emerging, and the situation is chaotic.
And Art Nouveau is certainly one of the most distinct among them.
Fundamentally, Alphonse Mucha's style is intuitively beautiful, but far from easy.
It's a highly decorative style with an extreme focus on idealized women and symbolic backgrounds and ornaments.
In other words, Mucha's style is visually appealing but incredibly difficult to replicate.
Furthermore, recent French art trends have favoured Seurat's pointillism.
Finding an artist who can create with delicate lines like Mucha's would be challenging.
Even if such an artist could be found, they wouldn't be easy to work with. Whether due to financial constraints or because they have already established their own style.
"In the end, it takes time and experience to teach and nurture talent to even match half of my skill. But with so much work and so little time…"
"Is that the only concern? Just let them learn on their own! Isn't that what apprentices do?"
The sensitivity is somewhat lacking…
Mucha and I exchanged glances, directing a look of disdain at the manager. The manager flinched slightly, puzzled over what he had done wrong.
Well, it's not entirely incorrect, at least for this era.
After all, there's a similar apprentice system for modern webtoon and drama scriptwriters.
Even the issue of unpaid apprenticeships is far better than the apprentice system of this time.
— The master shows how it's done. But the apprentices must figure out the rest.
— Meals and lodging are provided. But money? Why would they get paid? Shouldn't they be paying for the privilege? They should be grateful for not having to pay for lodging!
In that sense, Mucha's thoughtful approach to his apprentices is commendable… though it's certainly commendable.
"If you don't hire more people, it looks like you'll work yourself to death."
"That's…"
I know, I understand. That's why it's troubling.
In fact, there are no well-known apprentices who continued Mucha's style in the real history.
If we're being specific, the Moe-style illustrators who thrived in Japan on the other side of Eurasia might be seen as successors to Mucha.
I thought this was because Art Nouveau was labelled as a decadent culture in the age of modernism, but perhaps there were practical concerns like these as well.
But if that's the case…
"There might be a solution."
"Yes?!"
Well, it might or might not fit, but it's an element that matches the current problem perfectly. It's worth trying.
But before that.
"So, I'm planning to proceed with this—will that be alright?"
At my sudden suggestion, both Alphonse Mucha and the theater manager looked puzzled.
And at that moment.
"You are truly a cruel person."
Click, click.
The sound of high-quality women's shoes echoed in the workshop.
I smiled broadly, and the theater manager turned pale. Alphonse Mucha shouted in surprise.
"B-Bernhardt Madame?!"
"Alphonse. If you had such concerns, you should have spoken to me first."
Sarah Bernhardt.
She entered the workshop with a languid, sensual voice. It was clear why she was hailed as the leading actress in France.
Though she was already in her early fifties, she looked like she was still in her mid-thirties.
If we compare her to Korean celebrities, she might be like Kim Hye-soo or Lee Young-ae. Though, if I had to choose, she has a presence more akin to Kim Hye-soo's.
Well, considering she's also known for her strong control as a theater director, I can understand her demeanour.
"First, the manager."
"Yes, yes! Madame!"
"I'm sure I told you? It's fine to take Alphonse, but if he doesn't want to, don't force him."
"T-That…"
Hmm, I get it now. I couldn't help but smile and nod.
In short, it was an overzealous loyalty from the subordinates.
And, perhaps sensing my reaction, Sarah Bernhardt cast a sidelong glance at me and said.
"It's a pity. I would have preferred to greet you in a better setting."
"Indeed. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I heard you're working on an operetta at the Savoy Theater."
"I'm just working on the original material, though."
"Hmm, well, I hope we can meet in such a capacity someday."
"No need to mention it. I don't go around talking about it."
Despite the brief exchange, both sides maintained polite smiles.
Clearly, I was in a strong position here.
If it became known that the manager of the French National Theater had captured a leading designer, it would inevitably stir up gossip.
Of course, it wouldn't be a major blow to Sarah Bernhardt herself. It would just be a nuisance.
For me, and for the future expansion of the play into France, there's no need to antagonize someone as esteemed as her. I'd prefer a win-win situation.
As she said, we might end up in a good business relationship in the future.
"First, I will have the manager dismissed."
"M-Madame!!"
"Be quiet."
Her voice was like ice.
Even though it wasn't directed at me, I felt a shiver in my hand.
"I can't keep someone who, instead of being my right hand, tortures my designer."
With a single command, figures in black entered the workshop and dragged the protesting manager out.
"And, Mucha."
"Yes, yes! Madame!!"
"Don't be too burdened. I'd prefer if you could come to America with us, but if it's too difficult, it can't be helped."
"I-I'm sorry, Madame."
"No, I'm the one who should apologize. But if you change your mind… come find me anytime."
"Yes, yes."
Hmm. There seems to be something more here.
Look at those warm eyes; is that how an actress looks at a designer?
But that's not the important part.
"Excuse me, may I interrupt your conversation for a moment?"
The gaze of the great actress is intense. But since the initiative has already shifted to me, I spoke without asking for permission.
"Ultimately, isn't the issue that there's not enough time for the work?"
"─That's right. However, as I mentioned, I'm willing to make a concession this time, so you can handle your matters first."
"No, there's no need for that."
I spread my arms wide, performing a bit for effect.
"Wouldn't it be better if we could proceed with both at once?"
"Pardon?"
"What's that…?"
"It's nothing major."
Have you ever heard of a factory manager?