New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-06
ITALIAN ART TOPICS.
ARCHITECTURE, MUSEUMS, EXHIBITIONS
AND MONUMENTS.

learn that there is a project to build q palace
or city hall for the Municipality where stood
rather rambled the old picturesque market which.
with its labyrnthine ways, curious sights. and four
teenth century houses and architecture was tie
delight of every visitor. The medieval Ghetto and
neghborhOod, once odorous with fish, old clothes
and more smells than Cologne can boast, brimming
over with population OF dubious habits industrial
In more than one is to be swept away and i'm
proved into modern square, with CAFES, fashion,.
able Stops, and hotels yelvets, silks perfumes of
a thousand flowers dainty feet and cloves" of
bODnets, are to replace the fries, stews,~ ear
splitting cries. and multfarious noises of the low
Hest occupations, which until recently regned
supreme in this fast-beating heart of the city, to
the tune of SIX hundred years of haf6-working I'M
savory, busting, impoverished iife with more
shifts for livelihood than could stand tho test Of
the ten commandments.
The Paazzo veccnio itself, the stern old strong
bold of medeval democracy tyranny. just as the
popular breeze blew at the moment. bids falr 10
lift its tme-tinted tower skyward for centuries
yet to come. All classes now do 1t reverence ana
cherish 1t as the most characteristic monument OF
the eventful history of Florence. 1t Is the mten-
ton to restore 1t as possible to the condition
at was in previous to the changes made TO adapt 1t
to the uses Of Parliament while Florence was the
papital of Italy. The pavement of the majestic
hall of the Cinduecento will berepaired thefrescoes
and pictures cleaned, the ceiling reglded, and the
greater part of its old sculptures replaced. AT the
same time the beautiful rooms occupied by Pope
leo K are to he restored to their ancient magnlh-
renee. Thus little by little the Palazzo Vecchio
will be weaned from civic uses and become, like the
Ducal Palace at Venice, show edi6ce, bringing to
The city and government q revenue from entrance
fees 1t is well worth one even now In Its mixed
condition of the old and blended INTO one life.
But when thrown vigorously back into monumental
medi@valism there will be few edifces in the world
that can compete in interest with it.
The multitude of archaeological treasures of Flor
ence, formerly scattered among several museums,
have now been united into one museum in tho
Crocetta Palace, which has just been opened to the
public. The second story of this vast building is to
be devoted to the six hundred and more magnificent
tapestries of the PIttl, Ricardi, and other pubic
buildings, arranged according to dates, countries,
and history They will form museum of tapestries
unique for their number. beauty. and condition.
An exhibition of designs for monument to
Raphael at Urbilo. his native place. was opened
bn March 2s.5 Italy Is teeming with exhibitions oil
one sort and aDother this year. After the one now
In progress at Rome Will come that of Turin. for
(which both exhibitors and the Turinese are making
large preparations. Soon after this closes the
all the world will be invited, will begin its prepare
Hons 1t is to be on a vast scale, and already ex-
cites the enthusiasm of the population at large.
Great sums are raised for it, and it has secured the
adhesion and and of twenty five Provincial Councils,
9, $40 Communes, 64 Chambers of Commerce, o6O
societies of artisans and work-people. besides 400
of the exhibitors of the very successful exhibition
Of Milan two years ago.
The Italians wish generally to take part in the
Boston exhibition, but the engagements made
already with their own and other foreign exhibit
Hons WILL fear prevent their doing all that they
Gesire to do credit TO themselves and to America.
Besides the number of competing concurrent invi-
cations near by the distance to 60 and send
valuable. objects seems to them formidable
obstacle To the average Italian America is as far
away and as perlous to reach as the moon. lie
looks with amazement on man who will cross the
Atlantic as a sort of half-dementfd monstrously
6oolhardy person. anyway. To go for pleasure or
profit absolute madness This is the present
general feeling of the cOuntrymen of Columbus.
Cabot and Americas Vespucius. The few who are
enterprising unfortunately have uncomfortable
souvenirs of their experiences and losses at Phila-
delphla and Melbourne. which they admit were
due mainly 10 tho ignorance aud nefficenoy of their
own agents. All this operates against the Italian
department of the Boston exhibition
On the 0tner lanu, inc CndnDeT Ol
while deprecating the shortness of the time given
for preparation, has taken the initiative in memOrI-
hllzing the Italian Government tor subsidy to aid
ITALY In making an exhibit in Boston credtable TO
nhe nation and for government vessel to take
she goods free, etc. Most exhibitors are awaiting
the action at Rome before deciding on their own.
Still number of applications have been received
for space for furniture silk glass, corals lava tor
toise-shell work. straw goods, carvings, paintings
and sculpture. The exhibit of oil paintings seems
likely to be the best ever made in America by Italian
artists
One inventor PROPOSES to exhibit machine for
curing toothache." If 1t be mp to its name it will
deserve several gold medals aud insure the fortune
of the maker
NJ country has had more experience in the
zion of public monuments than Italy. America is
rapidly following her example, but has much yet TO
learn not merely in art ITSELF but us to the means
of getting the best art for the money The conditions
now proposed by Italy for a second trial for designs
for The great national monument to Victor Emanuel
nt Rome embOdy the wisdom and experience of
centuries of trial in this direction ana are worthy
of consideration by all committees charged with
similar projects. Will give DrleI resume OF the
icffiolal announcement:
The competition is open to artists of every nation
Gty The general laes as 10 s1e arenae eitid
of the mon ument, are clearly defined as guide TO
Competitors also the size OF the models anu scale.
he artists are not to furnish plans and calculations
for the Foundation and base, which the Government
provides itself The total cost Of the monument is
not to exceed 100000 francs including the base
(which is TO cost 900 600. Proposals ana designs
nre to be seat sealed with cipher or motto on the
outside, and letters similarly sealed indicating the
name and address Of the competitor. Only the
letters OF the artists 10 whom premiums are
awarded as indicated by The seals Will be opened.
The time OF competition ends December 10, 1898,
but designs. plans etc, will be received before
Koyember 3. the
Commission. All WORKS not receiving premiums
must be withdrawn within two months after the
publication Of the awards. Before awards are
made thers will be public exhibition of the
models. designs. etc. The artist whose work is adj
Judged tho best can receive suitable salary and DO
Charged with the general direction of the erection
nf the monument. Shnnld he moi ACCENT or receive