The New York herald., 1868-04-29
ARTISTIC.
From the London Athenaum.l


correspondent writes from Naples, March l0:-
"The suppression Of the monasteres has led to the
discovery or many precious works OF art. Sixty.
six monastic buildings and churches, for such Ia
their number IN Naples alone, could scarcely have
been closed without bringing to light medieval
treasures Of some value, filing up many lacuna
in the history Of pictorial art and increasing
the value Of our already large collections. As po-
litica act do not touch upon the sweeping measure
which has created so many enemies TO the present
government; 1t is in artistic point OF that
regard it; and, day after day. we find that one Of the
immediate consequences has been to from de
structon works Of inestimable value. Hitherto
buried In the oblivion Of closter unappreciated by
dronlng monks, who from their ignorance were in
capable Of apprecatng them, they will now be placed
in our National Museum, and will serve to form and
raise the taste OF people who have been degraded
into mere material existence. Signor SaazzarO
the able and energetic inspector Of the Pnacotieca,
Is now engaged In compiling catalogue OF these
treasures; but we viii anticipate him, and describe
some OF the most precious objects which have very
recently been brought to light. San pietio nj Arane
is the oldest church in Naples the date Of Its con-
struction being fixed by native antiquares at 70
A, D.; but even they do not assert that any portion
OF the original building remains Leaving, however.
found here picture by GrVe ION on Wood 3 represent
ing the Madonna on throne, under a small temple.
Naples ss IS ons Of V few his
pencil which are known to exist. In itself OF value
as work Of art art , II rs SUI SUI rdI, more oSS SO
will shortly adOrn the walls OF the hHseum The
church of SAINT Agostno dele Scale also has
given Its contribution. and one which has
awakened great admiration. II stil'o, the
facade OF which consists OF eighteen compartments,
representing In exquisite intaso the history OF ts
not merely on each compartment, but on the cotoa-
nete which divide them; and anynng rcnSr can Can
other works OF wood intaglio In Italy which can be
compared to It, The hrst Is that oi tne Deautilu ~ M
choir OF San Severino Sosio In Naples-three grand
works which cannot be too much priced Qf the
pc presented 'o to the monks moi 6y - the Med,c after the
capture of the city, In token OF gratitude for assistance
rendered The sttpo OF 3 Agostlno winch mas MN
measures about nfty-four palms In length and twelve
did decorations of the medieval room in the Museum,
where the Two wings VIII be placed back to back. In
centre Of each wing will be let in pane OF plate
glass, 80 aa TO allow Tue ordinary spectator to ex-
anime the various objects Of value Within for the
interior Is to be utilized for the purposes o art Here
are he placed works in ivory. candeabra, platte:
swords, calio Watches all connected with medieyal
history. IT y p9lnlu to think that this beautiiui
work was nearly lost to Naples Nay and ont to tlsaIy
perseverance Of Sgnor Salazzaro the probabilities
are that the government would have made is posses,
pence. rS Picture rsprescntns the saint prayns
| his knees and with clasped hands raised mas Just
II is on wood and was painted by Colonel Antonio
del FiOre the master OF Zngaro, one OF the earnest
NcapOiitau painters anu contemporary Win CunoDue'
1t was illustrated by that youIninous writer on art,
DAgincourt. The church Itself which Is to be taken
down is reputcd to have been built by Constantine
| the Great-that ia, the nrst church on. this
site, for scarcely anything remains OF the
| original except the framework of door.
| Having now completed my notice OF
several objects Of great artistic value, let return
TO the old church OF san Pietro al Arane and descend
| TO the depths beneath. Here were found an Old
Roman table and y caice, both OF marble, which
| were used probably by the early Christians. More
precious, however, than any thing else, ut least In
monkish eyes, liz the tomb OF Santa Canlpeda. Near
IL Is well of fresh water six feet Deep Of most mir
aculOuB value, for have not all women OF the neigh
borhood aye-and from u distance too-sent for the
holy water Of this we'll the approach Of child
birth Let me conclude this letter by informing
you that many OF the Neapolitan artists have been
sending of their paintings TO compete for the Grand
national prizes " be awarded In Florence In April.
The first OF TO- 900 lre will be given to the best his
toca painting; the second, Of 5000 lire to the best
historical painting Of smaller size; the third, OF
400, for the best interior. Tie paintings are to
main the property Of the artists. Amongst our
painters OF distinction who compete may be named
Mancinelli who sends "A Miracle of s. Francisco;'
Marineili, who sends ''The Largo OF s. lorenzo, q
scene Of the revolution of Massaniello;'' Mancini
| sends "a Landscape" and StaDini, "Giovanni dc
| Procda In the moment OF the Revolution'-remark-
able for Its costumes; and an Interior Of S. Sew
| erino.n Maldarell and Norell, both Neap0litans,
! are two Of the Judges