The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-23
o 3 1T U A z Y.


"nu SAhipilcu thTct years ago NJ tue oomcIViAo
Art Gallery. win learn with regret that the hand
which painted them was yesterday morning de-
prived forever OF its cunning by death. Joseph
Fagnani was born in Naples, Italy, on the evening
OF december "a, 1919, and was consequently in the
1fty-ourrh year OF his age. or him, as OF the ma
jOrity OF men who have become distinguished In
his profession, 1t may be said that he was an artist
by instinct Before he had completed his thirteenth
year he had won admiration by several crayon
portraits, among which the most remarkable for its
felicity in reproducing the expression
OF the original, was that OF Baron Smoker,
Chamberlain to the Queen D0wager, mother OF
Ferdinand ii. Fagnani entered the Royal Academy
OF Naples, and remained there until the age Of
eighteen. He then went to Vienna, where he
gained his first success by painting portrait OF
the Archduke charles. This success was subse
quenty ratified by the excellence Of his portraiture,
executed In Florence, OF la Landrian" then
esteemed the most beautiful woman in Italy. In
1912 Mr.. Fagnani repaired 10 Paris, where he was
engaged by the Queen Regent OF Spain, Maria
Christina, to make album portraits OF the distin-
guished Spanards who shared her exile-such as
Marshal Narvaez, Olozaga and Martinez de la Pasa.
At this time he also executed ikenesses Of the Duke
d'Aumale and the the entire family of the Prince
OF Capua. Accepting Christmas invitation to Madrid
he remained in that fascinating capital two years,
painting the portraits OF many people OF distinc-
ton, among whom were the young Queen, the
Duchesse de Montpensier, the Duchesse d'Alba and
Sir Robert Peel 1t was here. too. that he made
the acquaintance OF Sir Henry Bulwer, laying the
foundation OF valuable friendship that lasted
through life.
trait OF the Count of Trapani, Fagnani was there
elected Academician of the Royal BourbOnic
academy ana received the only gold medal ever
he received from the Queen the decoration OF
isabella la Catolica:" But Madrid and
and returned thither. where he imme-
Guicciol then ailianced to the Marquis de Bossy
1t was at this time, also, that he painted Gustave
de Beaumont and viscount Alexis de Tocquevile,
the celebrated author OF democracy in AMERICA
In 1s49. Sir Henry Bulwer coming to this country
as British Minister invited Fagnani to forms men,
and arrived in the United States in December of
that year. General Taylor was then President. and
Fagnani had the opportunity Of intimately min
Cling with the most nluStri0uS Americans OF that
era. He painted portraits OF Webster, Clay, Cass
and Fillmore, and two likenesses OF General Tay-
OF thirtytwo, he came to this city, where he mar
rled an American lady, and made up his MIND TO
reside permanently here He adhered TO that
York until 1863 when the ill-health OF
his eldest son, caused him to take trip to Paris.
Hearing OF his arrival, Queen Christina, then at
Malmatson, sent for him 10 paint two portraits OF
herself, as well as likenesses Of the Prince and
tinued his most industrious labors by painting two
portraits OF Richard Golden. One Of these was
given BY Fagnani to the New YORK Sanitary Fair,
scented It to the New York Chamber of Commerce.
gns ether wSs purchased BY the National Portrait
I'm In 1851 Mr. Fagnani. who certainly cannot be
Justly accused OF passing an indolent existence re-
visited his birthplace. Naples and emphasized his
work is now in the possession OF the Neapoltans..
In 1862 he was ordered by the Neapolitan NUM-
was SO pleased with Mr. Fagnani's execution Of the
commission that he bestowed on him the order o. st.
Maria and st. Lazare. Prime Minister Ratazzi and
General Cialdini were now added to the list OF NJ.
Fagnani;s voluminous works, and the artist rested
himself by making BRIEF visit to this city In 1894.
In June OF the same year, however, he wended his
way back to Europe, this time ending his night
only with Constantinople, where his old friend, Sir
Henry Bawe WAS then pg the oce q t ssa
triumphant subjects OF the artists brush were the
Sultan Abdul Aziz and the Grand vzler Ali Pacha.
In recognition OF the perfection OF his art the Sultan
presented him with the decoration OF the Imperial
Order OF the MedTdie Of the third class together
with q superb gold snuffbox with a prolusely
diamonded lid containing enamelled views Of the
Bosphorus
with him to Paris the portrait OF Victor Emmanuel
for the queen OF Portugal, who, in recognition,
dowed him with the Portuguese decoration OF the
order of Christ. Portraits OF the Empress Eugene.
of the Countess Guiccic and Of Lord Byron from
an ivory miniature next won his attention, and in
1865 he repaired to London to paint two portraits
League Club OF this city and the other for the Cham
Der OF Commerce, S. d. Chittenden making the pre-
sentation In the last instance He also copied his
portrait oil Golden for Mr.. T. Bayley Potter, who
had become Cobden's successor in Parliament. In
ever since resided In this city, devoted 10 his
art and perpetually IN the practice. OF 1t.
Among his most noted works at this time
the General himself and the other for the Union
League Club, General and Mrs. Fremont (half
work by which he will be best remembered here
was his mine Muses." indicating distinct types OF
American BEAUTY d,e Inaed tee ven 81 mys1oosy
at his residence, 43 East Twelfth street, OF
pneumonia, after an illness of only three days. He
another anection, which was not dangerous or
painful enough to excite his own solictude or that
speak as we should like to OF his professional and
personal merits; but the foregoing record will In
dictate that these could have been Of no common
in his sentiments, and desired that his children
should be the same In addition to all mis- other
honors the decoration OF the crown Of Italy
his behool and signor dc Lucca, the
IN % e
last works that employed his brush were the por
traits OF Mrs. General Baxter, OF Vermont and
stan, which now stand unfinished in hts studio
and were last touched by him on Saturday, May IL
ST. Georges church, Dr. Tying ofrciating, aud the
remains will then be removed to Mount Auburn
where they will be entombed. As an interesting
"reminiscences to those who remember his "Nine
MUSES., we append q list OF the characters repre-
se1ted, with the names Of the fair ladies identified
tholewith:-
Caiope Miss Wadsworth
c chGs'oSSi Mis- Ms. S SSIssas
polyhymna .................... Mrs, Barlow
Melpomenc oe Lucca
Terpsichore. Ronald
Thaia.. us smy