The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-09-23
Our Roman Correspondence.
- Ia


Dtscoroy Of Portrait Of CoiSmJus-Ds, eription Of
The PtdWe-ks Destination, &c.
cannot forbear com 10 unicatng to you an event
which has produced an extraordinary sensation in
Rome, and which IL even more interesting to Ams-
ricans than Italians. An original portrait Of Co
lumbus has Just been found. The circumstances
connected with this discovery. as they were i'm
parted TO ne, are as follows -
Mr. Cas-, the U s. Minister, while travelling, not
long snce in the Abruzri IN ,untains, was attacked
with fever at little hamlet, near which stands a
convent Of the Passionis!s. He was received into
this convent, and remained there some time. The
monks showed him their collection of manuscripts
ard paintings, among which was the picture in
question. Ii waspurchased By Mr.. Cas-. and ar.
rived here few days ago. l have jus. returned
from inspecting it, and certainly, the historic Al in
terest attaching to IL renders Il one Of the most
interesting objects Ihave ever seen. To an Ameri.
can 1t Is priceless Of nestimable value. The paint
ing IL Of large size-about four feet by three-and
represents scene at the port Of Palos, In Spain At
the very edge Of the water is erected temporary
canopy, composed Of sails, supported By blades,
under which priest Is standing before prs d,si,
with lighted candles before him, celebrating mass;
with n rapler by his side, and plumsd hat in his
hand appears Columbus, kneelipy upon one knee,
while to the right, kneeling upon both knees, in
attitudes Of profound Devotion are to be seen three
ether mariners; scattered in the back ground are
several Indians, natives Of the newly discovered
islands, one OF whom is holding large hound, while
others are bound with manacles. in the citing,
riding at her anchor, with the Gag OF Spain lying
from her masthead, appears a ship, the sight Of
which would throw Baltimore clipper into its.
Ths lofty, castelated and deliberately carved stern,
and the still more lofty and deliberately carved lamp
suspended above IL, give idea Of naval arcbi-
lecture In the fifteenth century. Her decks are
crowd with sailors, and boats are passing be-
tween the ship and shore.
The following is the history Of this interesting
picture. which ] transcribed almost lnroiim from
the old manuscript attached to the frame. II was
painted by order Of the Convent Ia Prabida, at
Palos, in lig3 Immediately after the occurrence Of
the event II com nernorates. In 1870, several Of
the monks belonging to this convent, together With
much Of the property Il possessed were transferred
20 Yiterbo, ia the Papal states From Viterbo,
the new convent removed in l1t2, to the vicinity
/ OF Aqubs, In the Abrurzi mountains where il was
subsequently, merged in that Of the Passionists,
/ previously existing on The same spot.
\ The Authorities Of Rome, am told. have offered
\ MIR Cas- 4 large sum for this painting, which he
has refused. AS their ding, are rather sum
nary il The matter Of tie hne arts, by virtue Of
prohibitory law which forbids the expectation Of
originals, was very glad to hear hat this picture
~ould be sent out Of Rome in very few hours,
'sus escape the grasp Of these covetous gen
ani - -'s one place, and only oRe place, at for
Try. Ihers - In the capitol ID.