The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-19
THE enterprise wa. now prosecuted with in-

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 hisioii-
cal portraits had yet been discovered, and douo's
began 10 be entertained whether there were
any. Still the recovery OF an indisputabie woiA
of Giotto's was considered an ample reward Tor
any toll and the ministers OF the grand duke
acting under his directions, assumed on MS DC
half the past charges and future management oi
III enterprise.
Al length, on the uncoyering Of the fourth
wall the undertaking was crowned with COM
pIete success. A number oil historical figures were
brought 10 light, and among them the undoobted
likeness Of Dante. He was represented IN iuii
length, in the garb Of the time, with book un-
der his arm. designed most probably TO repre-
sent the spifa MORA for the 'Comedia' was
not yet composed, and TO all appearance from
thirty TO thirty-fve years OF age. The lace was
in profile and in excellent preservation, excepting
that at some former period nail had uniortu-
nately been driven into the eve. 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-
blance TO the portraits of the poet taken later In
life. :,
II is not easy to appreciate the delight OF Mr..
Wilde and his coadjutors at this triumphant re-
suit Of their researches; nor the sensation pro
duced, not merely in Florence, but throughout
Italy, by this discovery of veri,able portrait OF
Dante, in The prime Of his days. II was some
such sensation as would be produced IN England
by the sudden discovery OF perfectly wen au-
thenticated likeness Of Shakespeare; with oil
ference in intensity proportioned TO the superior
sensitiveness 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 east
Of his face taken after death. One oil these
masks, in the possession Of the Marques OF or
iigiani has been pronounced as certainly the
original Several artists Of high talent have
concurred in this opinion; among these may oe
named JEST, the first engraver n Florence; sey,
mour Kirkup, Esq. painter and antlquary ana
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 Torripiani, the son of the Marques, and
who is adyantageously 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 ikenesses copied, and should circumstances
warrant the expense, to have them engraved by
eminent artists We shall then have the fea-
lures of Dante while in the prime of life as well
as at the moment of his death.
GEorrREY CRAYoN.