midnight
Harassed by a need of production , outrun by their costly fantasies , worn out by devouring genius , hungry for pleasure , the artists of Paris would all regain by excessive labor what they have lost by idleness , and vainly seek to reconcile the world and glory , money and art . To begin with , the artist is ceaselessly panting under his creditors ; his necessities beget his debts , and his debts require of him his nights . After his labor , his pleasure . The comedian plays till midnight , studies in the morning , rehearses at noon ; the sculptor is bent before his statue ; the journalist is a marching thought , like the soldier when at war ; the painter who is the fashion is crushed with work , the painter with no occupation , if he feels himself to be a man of genius , gnaws his entrails . Competition , rivalry , calumny assail talent . Some , in desperation , plunge into the abyss of vice , others die young and unknown because they have discounted their future too soon . Few of these figures , originally sublime , remain beautiful .