New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-06
4 NEW TREASURE At TIE MUSEUM.
JAMES JACKSON JARvEs DESCRIBES AN ALTAR-PlECE
BY LUCA DELLA ROBBA JUST PRESENTED TO
The METROPOLITAN MUSEUM BY HENRY G. MAR

JAMES JACKSON JARvEs DESCRIBES AN ALTAR-PIECE
BY LUCA DELLA RoBBA JUST PRESENTED TO
The METROPOLITAN MUSEUM BY HENRY G. MAR
QUAND.
TO me- Edttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Our public has already become acquainted
with the Invaluable collection Of ancient Greek
and Roman glass which so beautifully supple
nents the Cyprote glass of the metropolitan
Museum the munfcent gift of one of les trustees
Henry g. Marquand esq. To his G6erality We
now owe another gift which from Its size. artistic
Importance and rarity out Of Italy, is an acQuisi
tion on which any foreign museum might con-
rratuate itself Indeed few, If any, can show n
more imposing example of the genius of luca della
Robbia whose life eX tended from A. ID. l4OOto ISL
To him the inventor and bis pephews Andrea
md Giovanni, his immediate successors. Italy Is
indebted for the beautiful series OF glazed terra
Gotta altar pieces and smaller works that are to be
seen chiefly in the towns and chapelS Of the
palatial villas OF Tuscany. Luca at first worked
IN marble In this material he early established
the caracity of inventive genius, delicacy and
purity of religious sentiment and exquisite TASTE
when rank him second a sculptor only TO
Douatello GhibertI and Michael Angelo. In his
own particular sweetness aud grace Of expression
he Is inferior to none The Italian Government
now isalously conserve his great works IN their
original localities and il Is extremely difficult TO
obtain a fine specimen Of them, although single
figures and heads are not rare Ia collections abroad
As soon as Mr.. Marquand saw the photograph OF
the one in question he cabled to acquire It, intend
ing TO put 1t III his own house. On its arrival,
perceiving It's beauty Importance and value to the
art public he generously presented 1t TO the
Metropo,itan Museum. 1t > altar-pIooe from
mortuary chapel IN the Tuscan M2remna, ten feet
high by seven wide. IL represents the Assumption
or Ascension of the Virgin. She Is seated IN the
midst Of an oval halo. which forms hght blue
back round against an intenser blue, and sur
rounded by winged chorubs. On either side are
four angels with spread wings and flowing dIap-
cries, making celestial music OF welcome To The
Queen OF Heaven. Beneath her feet Is many
winged seTaph, towering over the earthly tomb
which is now Tiled with tho fragrant flowers mat
have taken the place OF heI late material body.
On each side stand two salnts ID ecstatlc coniem-
platiOn Oi the neaN emily vision. Above her lovely
angels hover with tho crown OF glory she is about
To receive. Beneath them Is "a row OF scraphlc
heads The supporting pilasters and other portions
of the altar piece are Ia low relief of early Tenais
SAINT classic detail Oi pure arch te0tural design.
The value and genuineness Of tins work are at
tested by three eminent professors Oh the Academy
oil Fine Arts of Florence. two OF whom are
deceased. lt is q word which, however, speaks for
jtsel General CcsnOla, with the excellent taste
that distinguishes all hl, arrangements has placed
it permanently in little room or chapel by itSeii
separated by an iron gateway from the rest of the
museum. The architecture OF this loom and the
stained walls arc in complete harmony with the
Iuca add 10 It's Impressive, pure brightness OF
white and blue glory, and give additional force Of
color 10 the lilies and roses vi the Virgin saicoph-
agus With true seuse OF the value OF the
work to the historical aud art world, the Director
has collected framed and placed gu the walls OF
this gem of n room photographs OF the principal
works OF Luca and his successors so that II affords
as good AN opportunity for their. study AS can be
had ont of italy itself There is space enough on
the wall and ABOUT the atar'plecs Tor the in-
sertion of smaller specimens when procured.
The secret OF the RObba glaze perlsbed with the
family. Tradition says Luoa wroto the receipt and
placed il III the head OF Que Of his statues pleas
ant legend with not much Likelihood OF truth.
Modern INV eDtiOn has almost succeeded In making
glaze OF equal transparency and strength. but thus
lar not rivalling his purity of tint aud tone either
OF the whites or blues. Mr.. Marquand has done a
real service TO the Art OF America by Tins gift,
which cannot fail OF appreciation ne is studied
and understood. / understand it will be open TO
she public after November o.
JANIS JACKSON JARvEs.
NeW- York, Nov. q 1882.