The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-21
For the National Era.
fCoPYRIeHT SECURED ACCORDING TO LAw.l
GREENWOOD LEAVES FROM OVER THE SEA.

(OoPYRIeHr SECURED ACCORDING TO LAw.l
GREENWOOD LEAVES FROM OVER THE SEA.
No. SO.
ROME, March 7, 1853.
My DEAR Mr.. c. On Saturday last, as
the morning was bright and beautiful | went
with friend, to see Gudo's aurora had
been long waiting for a clear day, to see to
advantage this wonderful picture, which can
not be viewed Alright except in the full-tided
Splendors of such a morning as it typifes.
The aurora is fresco, on the roof of the GEN.
trail room Of the Casino, beautiful little
building, originally intended for a sort of sum-
mer-house, and which you approach through
a garden, freshened with fountains in con-
tnual play, and fragrant to intoxication with
delicious flowers. think have never seen
great picture so fittingly enshrined and sur
rounded, as this. At first view, it seemed that
the flowers, which the aurora was 80 prodigal-
iy scattering, had been freshly gathered from
tho gardens without, and that the airs on
which she tioated, which swelled the soft folds
Of her drapery, were the same that q moment
before had seen stirring the pines, swaying
the vines, and ripping in wave-ike shadows
through the grass.
Alter all had heard from others, and seen
IN prints, this chef d9uvre Of Guido surpassed
my expectation. The coloring struck me, as
both softer and brighter than anything had
beJre seen by this master; and the compost
ton, spirit, life, and soul of the picture are beau
tlful beyond conception. To me it is Won
drOus ideal of the first dawn of the Creation,
rather than of the many-thousand-times re-
peated daily miracle of Nature-so full it
seems Of primal light and strength, freshness
and glory. The face of the Apollo, radiant
and triumphant, is that of a young charioteer,
Just entering on his first course-the aurora
has for the first time unlocked the gates Of
day, and let forth the golden tides of light and
lie on blind and breathless world, while the
eager steps and smiling faces Of the attendant
Hours Seem to witness that they have never
looked upon mortal suffering, or flown over
battles or graves. Even the steeds have an
untaxed vitality an afluence of exultant power
and energy about them, which shows that they
nave drank at the just-opcned fountains Of
uyCtheir eager eyes CLEAN with the fire Of
TIE nrst sun their spread nostrils snuff the I'M
Sa'n'ea air OF the Few creation-their hOof
aiis are on clouds which are the first morning
exhalatIons Of the world.
'hinE OF all the parts Of this grand compo-
aNon ! Ike the steeds best they have such
"4ulslte grace IN powerful action, such force
snd IRE IN complete subjugation, such emula.
Non IN unity All piebald and perfectly
matched, surely guided by a slken rein, they
plunge forward on their airy course, striking
out taeir right hoofs together, but with infinite
small varieties in the large harmony of their
.hafacter and movement. They are certainly
tns most magnificent pieces Of NEUROLOGICAL
horsehesh have ever beheld.
among the group of Hours in this picture,
Souced head which is a good deal like that
nv; ~. .eue, and this goes to confirm my he
~. opinion, that Guidos lovely portrait of
II sea o,c unfortunate is more or less unreal.
Inv, ~ " me that this master would scarcely
even s,' 10 introduce into his great fresco
W. "i' likeness Of one who mt that time
nan,a - !, oCIect OF horror and iguomny-whose
Tho -. - was unlawful TO speak. According TO
s te history OF the strict manner in which Be-
$3.50, os Ceuei was guarded, from the time of her
$500 49, 70 mat OF her execution, q portrait could
.gey have been taken of her, even by
'uath; Yet Guides picture may have been
panted from memory-from the true and noble
S;uaracter of the upper part of the head / am
inclined to believe so--though il in nothing
t''responds with the portrait by Paul Teronese'
u The Spada palace This latter, though &C.
united by many authentic, is by no means
gesunial and devoted adherence TO its love-
uer rival is one Of the poetic faiths Of the
"V,'u which II wore scarcely wise to disturb.
from the Hospiglioa We went to the Co
1 ~ ono Of the grsndost old palaces in Rome
s.Is picture gallery is very magnificent in it.
@ out adorned with few fne pictures. |
hss ef shall forget ono old painting | Jaw
,,aaere--decidedly the most horrible and gro
iIue picture have seen in Homeland that
laying an immense deal IL represents
re contest between the Devil and . mother,
n ra'.,'ed by the Madonna, for a child. The
Of uer' fightfully ugly creature, has hold
' ''s OF the baby, and appears to bs