During the time that Paris was brimming with cocottes, escort ladies predecessors of call girls and followers of geisha girls.
These 'putains de luxe' were not hired to talk about literature or about the lecent office box success.
Their proficiency was to make her companion feel good and to know certain rules like the one about the after dinner cigar.
If the wealthy monsieur or "mister" asked for a box of cigars, they had to know which cigar to to select by its colour, texture, et cetera.
And by delicately rolling and listening to see if the sound was that of a good cigar.
Once she approved it, she would pass it to her companion or, on his signal she would light it for him with a long cedar stick, exhaling a cloud of smoke and passing it to the man.
This French custom was demonstrated by Colette in he famous piece "Gigi".
besides the strong portrait, that takes me aback by his intense and original approach of a true expression, i have to admit a very important thing to you dear IT... you are my favorite story teller!!!! always new trips to take!!!! love it! emy :)
Another very intersting about - thank you. The image is stunning, the background and it's hard lines but soft tone makes a great canvas for this very strong excellent portrait Margaret
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{K:14261} 2/17/2005
