New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-31
Grand opening of Grand Hotel at Point
Clear on June l.
The BuFniug Of tho ''PrOdigal Son."
A Cincinnati special to the Chicago Times
gives the following particulars OF the burn
su~ ne nphv, foe "a Diotr1rn.

The Burnius of the ''Prodisal Son."
A Cincinnati special to the Chicago Times
gives the following particulars OF the burn
ing of Dubufe's famous picture:
Whist would have been an insignificant
fire, under ordinary circumstances, has
turned out to be one of the disasters Of the
year. One Of the most remarkable paint
ings in existence was destroyed TO- night by
Q little fire that would not otherwise de-
serve more than passing record. Several
weeks ago Mr.. Il. w. Derby came here
with his famous painting, Dubufe's "Prodi-
gal Son." and set it up in Mel0deon Hall, at
the northwest corner of Fourth and Walnut
streets. It was of unusual size, being twenty
feet high and forty-five feet in width. It
was set up by placing it in front of the
end of the building. 1t was provided with
lights Of its own. row being placed near
the top of the picture and another
below it, with refectOrs to throw the
light equally on it. About q quarter to
eight O'Clock, when there were but few
people in the hall, and Mr.. Derby himself
was present, the gas was lighted. The pic
ture is set mp on boxes, eighty. inches from
the floor, with drapery Of maroon cotton
cloth extending forward and downward to-
ward the fOotljghts. Almost instantly some
of the half dozen people in the hall looking
at the picture saw smoke issuing from the
lower drapery. a. it burning from behind.
The people rushed to put it out, Mr. Derby
assisting, but his efforts we're utterly vain
The whole affair was dry as finder, and
with the light stuff behind the picture
was all sblaze, the picture itself being
on fire almost Immediately. Efforts were
soon abandoned, and MI. Derby stood
BY and saw his greatest painting, worth
100000. utterly destroyed in less than
two minutes. Heartsick, he turned from
the hall to meet the crowd of people
rushing up to zee the fire. In less than five
minutes the entire inside of the hail was
filled with fire and smoke, and the flames
were bursting out Of the front windows.
Engines were quickly on the ground, and
after stubborn fight of nearly three hours
succeeded in su0duipg the flames with q
damage to the building of not more than
$4,000. The Dubufe painting was finished
in 1867, being painted on q commission
given by French gentleman BY EdOuard
Dubufe, pupil of Paul Delaroche, and of
his father, Claude NJ. Dubufe In 1855 the
French government decorated him with
the grand cross of the Legion Of Honor.
of which order he was elected an
officer in 1869. In 1872 Mr.. II. W.
Derby, collector of paintings. found this
enc in Paris, and bought it for $50, 900. II
was first placed on exhibition here in the
fall of 1873, but did Tot do good business.
1t went then to Indianapolis, where it
made 5000 in two weeks; was in Chicago
in February, 1874, when it was visited by
40, 600 people. In the fall of the same wear
It was exhibited there twenty eight DAYS.
and the total receipts were $l2.2IO. The
receipts 'he last elk days of that Time were
over $4,000. Mr.. DeIbv estimates it's com
nerciai value at from 100000 to SI5O,OOO
1t has been, in respect to It's size and OF it's
to visitors, one of the most re-
pictures in existence, and it's loss
9 deeply deplored. A small COPY is ore
eryed, and the artist is still living, but
here is small hope OF the reproduction of
he great work.