National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-29
that he often fingered among them, dreamily and

that he often fingered among them, dreamily and
tenderly gazing upon them.
Constantine Brumudi was born in Rome, Italy,
/ in 1906, and was at the time of his death about
seyenty-fve years of age. His father was native
of Greece; his mother of Rome. At the early age
ofthirteen he developed q taste for art, and upon
a suggestion from one of his fathers friends he
was allowed TO follow that fancy, being educated
! in the Academy of Fine Arts at Rome. There
he developed wonderful talent, particularly
| in freSco work, and attracted considerable
notice. He received q commission to decorate
the palace Of Francis de Teorlonia, the
WealthieSt man at that time in Italy, and
gave great satisfaction TO his employer. Brumidi
came to the United States in 1852 and settled in
| New York city, where he engaged in portrait
painting. "The CTucifxion," in ST. Peters Church,
in that city the largest painting of the kind in
this country, is his work The cathedral at Phila-
delphia contains two paintings, " st. Paul" and
g St. Peter" which were also executed by him at
this time. He then visited the City of Mexico,
where his painting of 1.-The Holy Trinity" in the
cathedral of that city attracts much attention On
his return from Mexico he stopped in Washington
and was forcibly struck with the superior adapta-
ton of the walls of the Capitol for frescoe work
He made application for permission TO do some
work, and after great many days, during when
time the gentlemen i'll charge of the public build
ings discussed the propriety of the thing in all its
details, permission given him to decorate the
| room of the Committee on Agriculture.
THE ARTIST SUGGESTED,
as central figure for his work "Cincinnatus Driv
ing the Plow," and when the work was completed
it received unbounded commentator. From that
time Brumidi became regular employee of the
Government and mis- work has claimed the atten-
ton OF the whole world.
BruImidi Yves a diligent reader of Dante of Glib
bon, of Bancroft, and many other works, from
which he derived historical and classical aid. So
long had he devoted his heart and strength 10 the
Capitol that his love and reverence for it not
surpassed by even that of Michael Angelo for st.
Peters. He leaves daughter in Italy, who de-
votedly loved and reVerenced her father.
Brumidi, although he had been in this coun-
try so long, spoke the English language very
brokenly and was hard to understand; but when
he converSed with his countrynlan, some of whom
he met quite frequently in cosmopolitan Washing
ton. he was very glib, and his enthusiasm, when
the conversation touched upon his art or related
his former home and early associations, was uU-
bounded. OF the beautiful art of fresco paint
ing practiced by Brumidi it has been said that
whoever seeks to be pleased with fresco painting
must learn to estimate the best and not the most
agreeable qualities of the art" Character, contour
and expression are within its scope and are points
which the great artists who practice it. knowing its
limits, will endeavor most to exhibit in their pro-
ductions. Harmony of cooring, chiaro-oscuro, and
the minute graces of execution have neveryet been
rendered in it, or but very partially in comparison
with works in oil.
THIS PURE FRESCOING WAS
the special work of the man who decorated our
National Capitol, and since the fifteenth century
and the days of Michael Angelo the world has
seen but one master of it-Constantino Brumidi.
No oy+ ba
penSation from the Government of ten dollars for
every day in the year 1t is known that his mar
Tiage relations were not pleasant, and that his
family was very extrayagant. His wife, young
and fashionable woman, is living in this city. and
a son of seventeen is also here, studying painting
and freSco art. At the time of the death of the
great genius he not the possessor of sufficient
funds 70 pay his funeral expenses An appropria-
ton was made by Congress for this purpose
To Mr.. Clarence Poole, former pupil of Signor
Brumidi, many Acknowledgements are due for in
valuable suggestions and information.