The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-20
FINE ARTS.

LEONARDO DA vINCIs "HERoDIAs" (sALoME).
1t is raro that have such pleasure in examining
a painting did yesterday in viewing Leonardo
da Vinci's 'Herodias." The title is msnomer and
was probably originally "Salome." The picture
belongs to Miner X. Kellogg. artist. who has
owned it for twenty-four years. had it stored and
away from sight of the public for fifteen years. and
has now taken it out of bank vault for few days
to show to his friends preparatory to sending it to
England. The history of the painting which is well
known in Europe. is as follows:-It formed part Of
the "Marahalden Cabinet. by which name the coll
lection of Count Dentzel sternau at his villa on
Lake Zurich known. He had purchased it in
1918 of NJ Lamy. art publisher of Berne and
Basel While in the Mariahalden collection it was
written about of undoubted originality by
the celebrated German critic. +. r. Fussli, in his
'Allgemenes Kunsterlexicon," Zurich. 1919, under
tho heading Winch" opening as follows-"At this
moment learn that the exquisite cabinet Of Count
Bentzel Sternau contains the excellent picture Of
Herodias receiving the head Of st. John from tho
executioner At her side we see her nurse or COVER
ness. On the golden border OF the dress.
rs 1t passes over the bosom of Herodiss, read in
capital letters. Leonard da vnci. 1884, and by
wilhelm Fnssli in his 'Kunstwerke.' Leipsic, 1885,"
In 1s47 Count Sternau obliged. account Of
financial embarrassment. to dispose OF his collec-
ton.
years
most valuable OF the pictures-Raphaels LA Belle
Jsrdiniare. Premiere Idec du Peintre." Of the
size and composition tho celebrated picture in tho
Louvre of the same name, which he sold to the late
Lord Ashburton and which is now in the South Ken
sington Museum, and the "Herodas tSaome now
in this city. He bought the two pictures in 1855
from the heirs of private collector in Switzerland
who had purchased it at the Marahalden sale. The
present owner has documentary testimony Of all the
above facts. AS to the pictures value: the elder
Fuss ut the time he wrote, estimated it at 100000
forms and adds that in consideration of the rarity
Forentne school and of the incontestable originality
OF this Herodias. neither double nor the treble Of
the price which have indicated would be an exag.
geration OF its value"
The "Hcrodias (Salome) was painted on wood, and
in 1910 it's first known owner NJ. Lamy as it was ia
panel sent it to Paris to be transferred to canvas by
Hacquin. the retoeur and parqueteur of the Imperial
museums Of Franco. On the back Of the canvas u
now the following inscription :-.Enleve de dessuk
boas ct ihis sur toile par Hacquin. Paris, aimee
The painting. which is little over foot and :
half in height and about two and Q half feet wide.
and in fine state of preservation. contains three
Tho beautiful salome. daughter Of Herodias.
y receiving, the head S Of st. John from
vase. The head OF her old nurse to tho left.
looking the shoulder Of the girl who turns away
from which tho blood drops into the richly ornA-
mented bronzed silver vase. yet has hand on thu
hesptiessy yet witha sMeey the burly
laughs with fendish glce. and the old woman leans
forward. curious to see the horrible sight.
The drawing. modelling and chiaroscuro OF tho
work remarkable, the color rich aud pleasing
and the tone superb in its harmonious graduation.
The careful, assured handling the extreme and
finish. lavished chiefly the girls face and figure.
the dead head and on the rich vase. show the
work of the master. strong point is the contrast
afforded by the heads-that OF the old nurse, In
shadow and slightly angular; OF tho skinned
executioncr, rudy and with heavy outline;
OF the dead man, white and shrunken, in
strong contrast with the dark hair ana tho
drops of red blood; and all three subordnated
and giving value to the luminous. fresh cooring and
rounded outlines Of Salome. Among other points
may be noted the skilful painting Of the hair Of
Salome. few hairs OF which falling on her neck
managed with such knowledge; Of the laced chemi-
settc shown above her Dress OF the drops Of blood
falling from the head Of St. join. and OF tho hand
some vase.
There said to DO as many as nine other paint
ings Of Herodias Saome attributed to Leonardo.
of which in the Uhiz is now recognized as being
by Bernardino Luiui, his follower. most successful
copyist and imitator.