The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-06-05

Ill the pictures, the conception ofthe Wiz.
gin," by Murillo.
So great was public curiosity, that although
Mr.. Bonnfons de Lavialle, the auctionecr, had
allowed the gallery to be inspected privately
for ten days, and had thrown il open for three
days more, il could not be satisfied. The
crowd was immense when the doors were
thrown open for the sale-agents from all TIE
cities, and the Princes in Europe, were pres.
ent-and the pictures of lessernote sold rapid.
ly. At last the Conception" was put up. A
Paris correspondent OF the London Times, thus
describes the picture and the bidding:
The order of sale was here interrupted, foi
the purpose Of allowing the great pictures oil
the day, four in number, to be disposed Of, the
first of which was The conception of the
Virgin" by Murillo, eight feet six inches in
height, by three in width. This almost divine
picture represents the Virgin in the act OF
being carried up 10 heaven. Her golden hair
floats on her shoulders, and her white robe
gently swelis in the breeze, mantle OF blue
at the same time falling from her shoulders.
Groups of angels and cherubim of extraordIna-
ry beauty sport around her in the most evil
dent admiration, those below throngIng close
ly together, while those above open their
ranks, as fnot in any way to conceal the glory
shed around the ascending Virgin. All the
writers on the Spanish school OF printing
agree in declaring this to be the chef dGurre
Of MurilIo; and never, perhaps, did that great
master attain to such sublimity of expression
and such magnificent coloring. The biddings
fully responded to the high character of this
great work.
The first bidding was 100000, but that
price seemed so inadequate to the value OF the
picture, that offer after offer soon brought the
price up to 100000. The three great COM
petitors up TO this point were the Marquis of
HEREFORD, an agent for the Queen ofSpain, and
another agent for the Emperor OF Russia. The
bddings then continued with great spirit, I'M
til they reached 00,000f., when an involuntary
round of applause burst out at that sum being
reached. At 528,000f pause ensued, but
the biddings were again resumed, and, almost
without check, the great price of $50, OOOf.
was reached. Here the gentleman for Spain,
who had apparently determined to have the
picture, paused. He again, however, went on
for bidding or two more, when at last on
5S6.000f (f23 ,440l being offered by a gentle
man in front of the auctioneer, the Spanish
agent gave in, and the picture was knocked
down amid loud cheers of admiration at such
a price being given. But this applause be-
came absolute enthusiasm when it was ascer-
tanned that the purchaser was Nj. Nieuwerk-
erke, the director of the national museums
The crowd rushed forward, shaking him by
the hand and cheering most heartily. The
auctioneer then announced in due form that
the purchase was for the Museum of the
Louvre, and the cheers redoubled. In fact,
the delight appeared universal, and il was sew
eral minutes before the sale could proceed.
Two other Murilos, :" Peter in Prison" and
Jesus and John. children" were purchased for
the Emperor of Russia, the former for Isl 600
francs, and the latter for $4,000. The Empe'
ror became, also. purchaser of the "Christ
Carrying his Cross" of Sebastian del Piombo
for al 900 francs. Marshal Soult had refused
$4,000 francs for it. The whole proceeds ofthe
first days sale reached as high as 973,739
francs. The price of the Conception of the
Virgin" reduced to dollars, was Sill $40! The
entire proceeds lS5,OlO.41!
Most of our readers are, doubtless, well
acquainted with the history of the extraordina.
ny man to whose genius the princes and pow.
ers of the earth have been induced to pay sc
glorious tribute. Nevertheless, as there may
be others not so well informed, it can hardly be
out of place to say something about him.
Murillo, the greatest and most original of al
the Spanish artists. was born at Seville, in tht
year 1tl8. Instructed in his early years by
his relation Castillo, in the rudiments of his art
he very early lost the advantage of that in
struction by the removal of his master, ant
WAS comnelled To labor for his broad IN ra;,,
ing small pictures for export TO America. HI
soon began to distinguish himselfas colorist
even in this humble employment, and new
impulse was given to his genius by his chanc
ing to see some pictures of Pedro de Moya
who had studied under Vandyke, and was al
imitator of his style. He afterwards deter
mined to go TO Italy TO improve himself, ant
actually proceeded on the journey as far a.
Madrid, where he met with Velasquez. wht
Immediately discovered his great genius, ant
resolving that it should not be lost to his coun
try, induced him to stay at Madrid, by promis
ing him full employment at the Escurial. III,
remained three years in the capital, and thei
| returned to his native city with high reputa
ton, and pocket great deal heavier than i
had been when he left it. In the year l646, h,
finished painting the Little Cloister Of st. Fran
cis, the work being executed in sucl a style a
TO excite the amaZement of all behoders.-
From that time to his death, in 1862, his pencl
was seldom idle. His success never made hin
careless, but on the contrary, made him part
cular not to lose his great reputation. Hi
works were numerous, and as he never lef
Spain, afford the best proof of the exceIenc,
to which the Spanish school was capable O
attaining. He was principally esteemed for hi
fidelity to nature-for the brillancy and fresh
ness of his coloring-and for the harmoniou.
blending of all the objects embraced in his pic
lures. His historical pictures have seldom
been equalled, even in Italy. In painting one
OF them, "The Marriage of St. Catherine, >
upon the altar of the Capuchins at Seville, he
WOunded hinncalf in crnb "a