The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-14
Valuable Painting in the Georgetown
Convent.

some account has recently been given in
the public prints Of painting In the Convent In
Georgetown, which was brought from spain Ivy the
father of the late Gen. Meade, and presented by him
Ia that institution about sixty years ago, the work
uf Muro according TO the best recollection and be-
lief ut the sisters of the Convent In matter OF less
Importance the facts already published would lie ac-
ceptcd as satisfactory proof that the picture is ver
table Murillo, hut the present great value of the
works of that master, and the efforts that making
identity authenticate and catalogue them, render
1t necessary to apply every possible test of its genu-
ineneSs before Its claim will be regarded established
The following are of the further facts and con-
sderations which may he mentioned as tending in
that direction. NIurio became the chief of what
was called the School Of Seville. His pictures
generally Of religious subjects. Of less sombre
character than those Of the earlier Spanish painters
lie was an industrious and prolific painter, and his
works, often Of large size, one ON canvas in the
Church of san Philipo Neri, in Cadiz, If mistake
not measuring some eighteen feet in length, adorned
the Hospital La Carload and many of the churches
aud converts at Seville well rs those OF Cadiz Mad
rid, Grenada, Curdova, and Vittoria Cean Bermudez
writing at seville In 1906 of Murillu's works, says
there were then over twenty Of his paintings In the
Convent of the CanuChins In that city, that 1t
considered the richest and most highly embeshed
Chnrchnt their order Here was the saint Thomas of
NlneuvH, which Nurillo Is said have called his own
iavOrte picture. and to have marked 'Su Itenzo.
note To the book from which take this statement
nj Bernudez 60 Life of NIurio, compiled from Va
iious Authors, published at London in 1870 states
that all these pictures were - timely removed to Ca
dlz 80 to them from the fate of war and were In
that way saved to the Convent. OrNell I'm the
'DicionaIy of Spanish Painters, = places the mum.
Der Of Nlurillo's paintings In the Capuchin Convent
in Seville at twenty-five, and among them mentions
and highly praises "ne of the 'Nirgn, Child and ST.
John, and says: During the dangers OF the
Peninsular War the members of this community very
property concealed all they could of these works. but
when peace was established they reappeared in their
original Places
In 1879 Charles Ill OF spain issued an edlct
against the expectation OF NIurillo's works. and
the government seal Is affixed 10 all remaining
in HAT country But the very edct of Charles only
melted the French officers IL the French govern
nent, during the Pennsuar War, to improve their
gRfaRft tFl-a tl,.,
war, these treasures of art which money could not
purchase and take from the country The Spainards
as the capture OF their elites became imminent ap-
pretended the loss of every MurilO which the
French could lay their hands. In their anxiety and
haste they cut many Of their finest paintings from
their frames, and even coated them with lumber, and
rolled them up To prevent their discovery and seizure
AT that time Of CONSERVATION Mr.. Meade resided la
Cadia and many OF these valuable works OF art were
deposited with him, most likely thus to find pro-
lection, by reason nf his high standing and American
citizenship. some uf them he then purchased. and
Others sold To him afterwards. 1t was largely
from this source that lie accumulated what became SO
well known tie 'Neade Gallery in the Academy
Of Fine Arts In Philadelphia, and which sold in
1851 long after the presentation Of the painting in
question to the Georgetown Convent. This painting
has been examined by practical artist who says the
canvas bears evidence Of having been cut from its
former frame. Murio did not put his name
upon his paintings, aud 1t has been work Of
great dincultv to trace and Identity them
Spooner, I'm his DictiOnary OF Painters, said that
while the greatest number Of his works sill In
Spain, others are scattered In France, Flanders,
England, and the United states. At tine end Of the
'Life of Murio, ~ from which have quoted above,
is note stating that since II put IN print five
paintings by Murilio have appeared at the British
Institution. | entreat the owners not to suffer
retouch to lie put on them These facts tend TO
the probability that the Georgetown painting is
what there is the most COgent reasons for beIle ing
Mr.. Meade represented 1t 10 be-a Murillo. Then as
above shown, Its subject Is of that great
master s. AS he painted such q composition for the
Convent of Seville. That work may have been re-
turned from CadiL, and have hung In Its original
place until the suppression of that convent in 1885,
but yet the subject being one OF his Induces us
10 accept a duplicate from the same hand. | am
Crediby Informed that there are more than we'll
authenticated duplicates Of his ST. Thomas villa
neuva, which was painted for the same Convent
Of the Capuchlns In Seville one of which Is
in the collection Of Mr.. Curtis in New York, but
am not sure that they are In every particular identical
The Georgetown picture Is four feet nine inches Wide
by six feet seven inches high. In the centre stands
The Madonna, three-quarters length, with face up-
lifted toward angels lowering above her, and holding
a which they are about to place upon her head
Joy and pathOs are eNquistely blended In her conn
tenance and her whole attitude and appearance
rapt In ecstasy. Her left arm, apparently more
by instinct than any conscious act, supports the
enid Jesus who stands on table covered with
crimson drapery, his head surrounded with glory.
on the left we face the picture, stands John the
Baptist, holding in his bOyish hand SCROLL ON which
is Inscribed - Ecce A9huS Dsi, - and looking away
from the Madonna, II calling the attention OF a
sinful world TO the blessed Virgin aud their ew born
saviour. His face Is glowing with brightness aud
intelligence, as If at the coming OF the furetold
and the angels are wonder OF freshness and
beauty, marTelously preserved during all the
years aud ylclssltudeS through which the
painting has passed. The colorlng In ST..
John and the angels, especially, seems to have
dehed the hand Of tine, and must have been mixed
and applied by MASTER SKILL for there has not been
touch of yaTnlsh, the slightest attempt at clean.
ing or restoration since the picture came into Mr.
Aleades possession, As his daughter can youch
From its history aud It's intrinsic excellence Is II
not easier to believe this painting to be genuine
AurlllO than that the tradition peryading II Is at
fault and that Its wOndrous beauty is the product Of
any other than that great masters handY If there be
any fnal or crucial test that can determine tho
question, II Will certainly be applied for the owners
ot the painting are desirous Of knowing the exact
truth. s.. B,
WAsuiNGroN u. g., Jan. s, lss2.