The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-23

enemy to the Commonwe alth, would never
have been ordered or tolerated in the chapel Of
the royal palace. II was clear, then, that the
portrait must have been painted between 1890
and 1902.
Mr.. Wilde now resolved in his own mind
the possibility that this precious relic might re-
main undestroyed under its coat Of whltewash,
and might yet be restored to the world. For
moment he felt an impulse to undertake the en-
terprise, but feared that, in foreigner from
new world, any part of which is unrepresented
at the Tuscan court, it might appear like an IN
truslon. He soon however, found a jealous CO.
adjuor. This was one Giovanni Aubrey Beg
ri, Piedmontese exile, who had long been re-
sld"t In England, and was familiar with IT, Ian
guayS and literature. He was now on visit TO
Florence, which liberal and hospable city is al.
ways open 10 men OF merit, who for political
reasons have been excluded from other parts OF
Italy! SignOr Bezzi partook deeply Of the en-
thusasm of his countrymen for the memory OF
Dante, and sympathised with Mr.. Wilde in his
eagefness to retrieve, if possible, the lost por-
trait. They had several consultations as to the
means TO be adopted to effect their purpose
without mourning the charge Of undue ofhciou.-
ness. To lessen any objections that might oc-
cur, they resolved to ask for nothing but perms-
sion TO search for the fresco painting, at therow
expense; and should any remains OF II be found,
then to propose to the nobility and gentry of Flo
renee an association for the purpose of complet-
ing the undertaking, and etfectualiy recovering
the lost portrait.
For the same reason the formal memorial ad
dressed to the Grand Duke was drawn up in the
name OF Florentnes; among whom were the
celebrated Bartnlini now President Of the School
of Sculpture in the Imperial and Royal Acade-
my, Signor Paolo Ferron, Of the noble family
of that name, who has exhibited considerable
talent (.aSp al
an artist. This petition was urged and support
ed with interchangeable zeal by Signor Bezzi and
being warmly countenanced by Count NerIl
and other functionaries, met with more prompt
success than had been anticipated Sgnor Ma
RIM, skilful artist, who had succeeded in SINH
lar operations, was now employed to remove the
white-wash by process Of his own, by which
any fresco painting that might exist beneath
would be protected from injury. He set to
work patiently and cautiously. In short time
he met with evidence of the existence OF the
fresco. From under the coat of white-wash the
head of an angel gradually made its appear
ance, and was pronounced to be by the pencil OF
Giotto.
The enterprise was now prosecuted with in
creased ardor Several months were expended
on the task, and three sides of the chapel wall
were uncovered. They were all painted in
fresco by Giotto, with the history of the Magda-
| len, exhibiting her conversion, her pennance,
| and her Qualification. The figures, however,
were all those of saints and angels no hstofl-
cal portraits had yet been discovered, and doubts
began to be entertained whether there were
any Still the recovery of an indisputable work
of Giottos was considered an ample reward for
any toll ; and the ministers of the grand duke,
acting under his directions, assumed on his be
half the past charges and future management OF
tn. enterprise.
Al length, on the uncovering of the fourth
wall the undertaking was crowned with com
plete success. A number ofhistorcal figures were
brought to light, and among them the undoubted
likeness of Dante. He was represented in fufs
length, in the garb of the time, with book un-
der his arm, designed most probably to repre-
sent the 'Vita N,lopd,' for the 'Comedia' was
not yet composed, and to all appearance from
thirty to thirty five years of age. The face was
in profile and in excellent preservation excepting
that at some former period nail had untortu-
nately been driven into the eye. The outline OF
the eyelid was perfect, so that the injury could
easily be remedied. The countenance was ex-
tremely handsome yet bore strong resem-
bance to the portraits of the poet taken later in
life.
1t is not easy to appreciate the delight of Mr..
Wilde and his coad tutors at this triumphant re-
suit Of their researches; nor the sensation pro-
duced, not merely in Florence, but throughout
Italy, by this discovery of veritable portrait of
Dante, in the prime of his days 1t was some
such sensation as would be produced in Engla
by the sudden discovery of a perfectly well au-
thentcated likeness of Shakespeare; with diff
ference in intensity proportioned to the superior
senstiveness of the Italians.
The recovery of the portrait Of the divine
poet has occasioned fresh inquiry into the origin
of the masks said to have been made from cast
Of his face taken after death. One Of these
masks, in the possession Of the Marques of Tor
Iigiani, has been pronounced as certainly the
| original. Several artists of high talent have
| concurred in this opinion among these may be
named JEST, the first engrav in Florence; Sey
mour Kirkup, Esq. painter and antquary and
our own countryman, Powers, whose genius, by
the way, is very highly appreciated by the
| Italians.
We may expect from the accomplished pen Of
Carlo Torrigiani, the son of the Marques, and
who is advantageously known in this country,
from having travelled here, an account Of this
curious and valuable relic, which has been
upward of century in the possession of his
family.
Should Mr. Wilde finish his biographical work
concerning Dante, which promises to be proud
achievement in American literature, he intends,
understand, to apply for admission to have
both lkenesses COPIED, and should circums tances
warrant the expense, to have them engraved by
eminent artists We shall then have the tea-
lures of Dante while in the prime of life as well
as at the moment of his death.
GEoFFREY CRAYoN.