COLLECTION · Movie · 1919

The Virtuous Model

Denise Fleury supports her invalid mother in the Montmartre slums by making artificial flowers in a factory. When she loses her job, Denise is convinced by her friend Suzanne to join her working in a cabaret. Paul Brehant, a famous sculptor, visits the cabaret to forget his unfaithful sweetheart, Countess Olga Vosloff. After Paul rescues Denise from a patron who tries to kiss her, he offers her a job as his model for a statue of Venus. Denise accepts Paul's offer after her mother dies, but she refuses to pose nude. Because Paul's belief in love is reawakened by Denise's virtue, he proposes to her and they marry. During their honeymoon in the country, Olga visits and reprimands Denise for keeping Paul from his art. Back in Paris, when Denise sees Paul's renewed interest in Olga, she goes to his friend, Edward Dorin. Stricken by jealousy, Paul follows. Convinced of Denise's fidelity and Edward's loyalty, Paul begs forgiveness on his knees.