Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-04
rs N 4 woRK oF RuRENsl


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f'ne Old Psianns D.ssessrsd IN criisr.
The New York World says: There
was brought yesterday TO an upper
room in the building No. SGS Broad
way, by Mr. a. N. Moore and DR..
Craig, Of Rochester. NJ ", painting.
I'VE feet by four and half in size, Of
Bacchus and Ariadne,r which its
owner thinks 20 be an original example
oil Peter Paul Rubens. They are con.
firmed in this opinion by the judgment
OF Dir. FOrshaw Day, member Of the
Council Of the Royal Canadian Acade-
my, who has been a close student of
the great Flemish master, and who
made a thorough investigation Of the
Work IN Rochester. The manner Of its
discovery was as follows:
Some eight months ago MIr. Moore
had occasion TO visit the cellar in Ro-
chester ola dealer in old iron and Junk.
lie noticed corner Of the picture
sticking out from heap Of rubbish.
and was attracted By It's old frame.
The canvas itself was thickly covered
with scales of mould and dirt. Wetting
bis finger he applied it. and was
struck by the rich ccloring under
meath, and also by high light which
the artist had used on an eve of one
figure. lie asked the dealer -imme-
diately if he wished the painting, and
was told no that he would be glad to
get rid Of it. Mr.. Moore then had ii
sent to his house, where he went to
work diligently to clean it. After sew
eral weeks work the outer dirt was re-
moved and the painting gradually de-
veloped. 1t is now in good state Of
restoration, and an expert could soon
bring 1t to its original condition.
The picture is mounted in an antique
frame, probably about one hundred and
fifty years old, and the original canvas
has been backed by a newer one Of
about the same age. 1t is evidently
portion Of larger painting, and there
Is every evidence that it has been cut
with razor or ether sharp instru-
ment. Fractures in the paint also
make 1t likely that it was rolled
up by some ignorant or careless
person. These are NEST marked on
the right-hand side, showing that twas
probably rolled from right to left. A
small piece Of the original canvas has
also been entirely removed in the right
hand corner. There is no inscription
or signature to be found. Were it pos
sible TO remove safely the original can
vas from its backing, there is a chance
that some legend might be found upon it.
From the evidences Of its having been
cut and rolled the owners Of the picture
deduce the theory that it is one Of the
so-called " lost paintings" Rubens
was a very prolific artist, and while
painting the galleries Of the Luxem-
bourg for Marie de Medici is known to
have executed many works for mem
bers Of the French nobility. During
the reign Of Terror in France yandals
were at work in the palaces and art
galleries Of Paris, They cut out from
theU frames paintings, ana portions Of
paintings, rolled them up AMI fed.
Some Of them, it is thought. came TO
America with their prizes, and the aris-
tocratic families in Virginia, Maryland,
and other southern States were glad
Of an opportunity to purchase frag-
ments claimed TO be by old masters.
Having obtained these it was very
natural that they should mount them
on a second canvas, while they sent
TO France or England for frames.
Tlen came the war Of the Reyolu.
ton; these families were scattered,
their homes broken up. and the paint
iDgs fell into the hands of persons IL
norant of their value. They were
neglected and often damaged. Some
few, it is said, were discovered by ex-
perts and taken to Europe. where they
were sold at high figures, but of others
no trace has been discovered. The his
tory Of the present picture before its
discovery i'll the Rochester cellar is un-
known, but. as said above, its owners
conclude it to have been one Of these
" lost paintings"
Whatever the final judgment of crit
les and experts may be as to its origi-
nality, the painting in question is a fine
and interesting one. Ariadne IS seated
at the right, her loose mantle falling
and leaving her neck and shoulders
bare, while, with chin resting on her
hand, she gazes upward into the face
Of Bacchus, who, with outstretched
arm, holds braid Of nine stars THE
Muses. above her head. The figure
is semi-nude, and his head is crowned
with a wreath Of ivy. On a table in
the lelt-hand corner are melon and a
bunch Of grapes, while in the lower
right-hand corner Cupid looks down |
with pensiye eyes. The modelling Of |
the figures, their colOring, and the cx- |
preston of the faces are of extraordi-
nary merit. Especially noticeable are
the eyes, filed with feeling, and large |
and lustrous. The high lights are IN
themselves a mastery touch. The back
ground is almost indistinguishable. but
there are yine-leayes behind Bacchus
and an oak tree behind Aradnc. The
attitudes Of the figures are natural, the
carriage Of the head peculiarly grace
ful, and the expression noble and ami
mated. all Of which are characteristic
IF Rubens. The picture will be on cx-
Iibiiion free for some days, and is well
worthy Of a visit, whatever its true
.haracter may be found to be.