Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-09
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The University Pictaqs.
We find in the Paris correspondence of the
Southern Literary Messenger (Which, by the way,
we are glad to see resumed) the subjoined inte-
resting account of Raphues great picture of the
"School of Athens" of which It'll is proposed to
obtain copy for the Society of Alumni of the
University of Virginia. The selection of this
celebrated painting is, we think, very judcious
and appropriate, but we must confess we are
| not altogether satisfied that the Alumni have
| adopted the best course TO obtain valuable copy
of the original Mr. London may be an admit
rable judge of foreign broad-cloths, prints, ging-
hams, linens, and other things in his particular
cline and may moreover be the best sort of
President for Southern Rights Association,
but we have our doubts whether he will know
meritorious copyist from worthless one.
1t is not long since we saw letter from Rome,
relating how grievously Americans are imposed
| upon by sharpers in the Eternal City, who sell
them vile daubs for original paintings of the best
masters, or as copies by the finest modern artists
| When we saw certain most absurd letter in the
Enquirer, written by the missionary of the Alum
/
not help thinking the committee of managers were
as eccentric as the subject oftheir appointment
| 1t Is too late now, we suppose, to mend the mat
ter, and the Alumni can only "hope for the best"
1t will be perceived the Messengers correspon-
dent mistakes in thinking that Mr.. London was
charged ythe State with his mission to Rome
Paris Correspondence OF the Southern LITERARY Mes
| scnger.
Understand that Mr. London, of your State has lust
passed through Paris on bis way Rome charged with
the mission OF causing copy of Raphaels famous
fresco the School Of Athens lie taken and sent to
America, to adorn the hall of the University of Vir-
ginia. Perhaps the following information respectipp
this picture taken from the souvenirs OF two delightful
winters passed in Italy, twelve years ago. will not Prove
undressing to many OF your readers.
In the eastern division of the palace of the Vatican
called the new palace looking out upon the place du
Vatican, OF the most beautiful in the world lie
what are called the apartments Of the Ponti" They
are composed OF numerous suites of rooms occupying
different Stories Among these on the second story
are found what called "he four halls tstanze) OF
Raphael" viz: the hasof Constantine of HeIiodorus
OF the Signature (sansa della Segnatura and of the
ton OF the palace built by Pope Nicholas V. By order
OF Sxtus ~. they had been adorned by the fist pain
tiers OF his day; but in 1906 Pope Julius H. the sug
gestlon OF Bramante who was employed in rebuilding
st. Peters and in the establishment of the Vatican in
ved Raphael TO Rome. The trescos of the four
stance ordered to be eaced and the Pope charged
Raphael with their re-embellishment. Raphael stood
by and witnessed without regret The work of destruc-
ton progress till he the workmen about efface
from the ceiling of the hall OF the CONFEDERATION Of the
Borg0, resco OF Pietro Vanucc Iii Perugino) Then
| the amiable and grateful young artist nterered and
generously saved from destruction excellent produc-
| ton OF his veneraed old master.
The Stan1d della Segndurd, so called because the
tribunal OF the Signature in presence of the Pope was
usually held there, the first in which Raphael then
only twenty five years OF age, commenced his work of
| restoration. After its establishment completed it
was also known by the name OF the Chamber of the
Sciences, in alluson to the works of Raphael which
illustrated its ceiling and walls Upon the ceiling over
head the artist painted figures representing TAe0Loey
| Philosophy Poetry and Justice Upon each of The
four walls OF the under and contiguous to the four
figures. was executeda large painting having evident
connection with the aegorlcal figure Immediately
above Thus beneath Theology is found upon one wall
the famous Disputa or"Discusson respecting the Holy
Sacrament" On tie wall opposite and beneath Phi
@gTpA go IS 9uad our soh1ol OF Athens called also
Piled for the picture represents Philosophy in general
the persons of its most ustrous teachers rather than
any particular school. The painter has Imagined
gymnasium in the form of classic temple, in which
he introduces with an admirable distribution ofaltudes
occupation position, colour and Dress all the sages OF
antiquity. Plato and Aristotle occupy the foreground
in the centre of the piece. The former holds in hand
his Iimaeus. His attitude and air show him to be en-
gagged in the contemplation Of subjects above and be-
yond this world Socrates appears giving instruction to
Alcibades. Pyhagoras is handing musical tablet to
young man him. whose features are said to be
those Of the Duke of Urbn nephew Of the Pope julius
H. Seated on one ct the steps, apart and sury engaged
in reading, is seen Dogenes the cync. He is only
halt clothed. Below him is seen Archmedes with the
features OF Bramante3 bending table, and with
his compass Indicating to youthful disciples the figure of
! hexagon. The young near to him appearing in
rapture is a portrait OF Frederick H., Duke of Man
tua In the garb OF Zoroaster holding in his hand the
elementary globe, have the features of Aphonso of
Naples, distinguished patron of learning. Near to
him Ptolemy: and behind these two figures we have
the portraits of Raphael himself and of his old master
III Perus1no) Thales u represented walking with a
stick, the instrument with which the great geomeer
measured the height OF the pyramids. Leaning against
column Parmenidcs overooks youth, Zeno, who is
writing in shorthand one OF the poems OF Parmenides
on the systems OF philosophy.
1t was while executing the paintings in this room
between the years 1908 ard 1911 that took place the
transition Of Raphael from his first manner, in which
his works were all executed in the style OF his ser
Perugino, to his second great pecu liar to him
self The progress oihis transition clearly recog-
nzed in the Di puta, which was the first of The
great paintings on the walls of this hall, through
Mount ParnaSsuS which was probably the second
occupying another ofthe sides till it seems to be near
y complete in the School of athens, which displays
lar more freedom of handling, strength an vri-
y OF conception and touch, than the two preceding
| sents Jurisprudence. 'opA0
lcannot but congratulate glorious old State up
| sion OF MIR. London to Rome is only one proof amona
thousand. Would that the Federal Government, ta-
king the hint from Virginia, would complete the in
| VI Wi LIZ, ny Charging Elm 10 nave also
| copied, the Jurisprudence OF the same stanaa 10
adorn the hall OF our Supreme Court at Washington
Governments should encourage the Fine Arts They
are cvilizing, humanzing refining. They mend The
manners the heart; and occupying and enar ling the
mind, they mend it too. Their manifest tendency is to
prevent crime and make good citizens Every intei
gent friend of his country desire to see reguat-
| ed taste for the Fine Arts take root in The United
States, and keep pace with the marvellous development
OF our national resource and the requirement ofind
vidual wealth. II not, that wealth will minister to lux
ury in thousand gross more sensual forms, which
decline speedily inevitably, and nglorously Luxury,
elegant and refined, but unmodiied by our superior
ethics, unchasened by the spirit Of Christianity ener
waited, corrupted, ruined ancient Greece and Rome;
and they indebted to the Fine Arts, which minis
tered to that luxury and embellished it, for the glory