The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-10-24
1CoMMuNIClTEpl
Rophoers School of .4thens'-For the University Of


ICoMhUNICATEDl
Rophoers School of .4thens'-For the University Of
Virginia. :
Gentemen-Many of your readers are doubtless
aware of the efforts which the Society of the Alum
nj of tho University of Virginia making to pur
chase and present to that Institution elegant CO.
py of Raphacls great picture Philosophy, or THE
School of Athens" The visitors and Faculty readi
ly acceded to the wishes of the Committee of the
Alumni, to prepare in the new edifce, erecting at
the University suitable place for the accommoda
ton of the Picture, such its size and proper ex
hbtion require.
been selected, and nothing remained but to provide
the funds. There could be no doubt of succeeding
in this, and il was only a question of time But
whilst the requisite amount, dependen Sd lely upon
the voluntary contributions of the Alumni, was
coming in, the Committee were enabled, by the
most commendable enterprise and liberality of our
fellow citizen, VIM A. Pratt, to secure the desired
object, not only far sooner than they otherwise
could have done, but speedily the work could
be executed abroad and transferred to our country
Mr.. Pratt, upon terms cordially embraced by the
Committee of Alumni, bound himself TO furnish
them the Picture as soon Mr.. Balze was willing
for 1t to pass from his hands, and tho arrangement
with Mr. Pratt will be attended with the advantage
of giving the public opportunity of viewing the
Painting ere it be deposited at the University
He is to be reimbursed, in part, for his advances
by the future contributions made for the purpose
of paving for the Picture by the Alumni and Stu.
dents and friends of the University and he will
be appointed the agent of the Committee in order
to raise the cost of the Painting which will be
$2,5OO
This superb work of Raphael will, 1t is hoped,
not long be companionless at the University, but
form the beginning and nucleus of Gallery of
Fine Arts there; and should there be any surplus,
after paying for THE School of Athens" it will be
appropriated to the purchase of some other csle-
brated work of art for the same place and object
Some note of the progress of Mr. Balze in execu-
ting the task assigned to him, may not be unnte-
resting. The task is not new one to him; and it
his past and repeated brilliant in copy
ing this painting, that led to his being selected
But still. not trusting to any past success nor to
anything short of the immortal original, he has
been to Rome, and worked there for two and a halt
months with the original before him. With all the
outlines thus taken, he has returned to Paris, and
there has room in the Pantheon, which the French
| Government accorded to him as particular favor
and where he has the best light. He is also avail
ing himself there of of the copies which he has
heretofore made; and that which he is engaged
| for the Alumni, was more than one-third finished
on the 18th of September last and NJ Balze says il
| will be the best one he has made 1t is however
TO be subject to the approval of the distinguished
Horace Vernet.
foot key, or reduced sketch, containing the heads
| and names of every parsonage represented on thu
glowing canvass 1T is expected that it will arrive
| IN this country by the next commencement of thu
University. Its tina inauguration there will bo de
laved, already stated, by its exhibition in the
principal places of the Union, which will be ben
eht not only by gratifying public curiosity and cul
tivatng public taste, but by attracting attention tc
| ihat noble seat OF learning which is 10 be its home
ana melting desire to add to il, practi
cable suitable and worthy associates.
|