Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-30
FAMOUS PICTURE SHOWN.
Rcmbrandt's Portrait OF the Glider
Its Merits Noted.
TWOrld.1

The famous and superb example OF Rem.
brandt, known as Gle Doreur" or
"Tbe Glider" which was purchased by
Mr., William Schaus In 1884 and brought
10 this country in the autumn OF 1885, and
whose ownership was first announced eX-
clusjyely in the World, was shown yester-
day afternoon for the first time to the art
writers OF the city and TO the special cor
rpsnondents OF the leading Out.Of.town
Journals. in the gallery at the rear OF Mr..
Scbaus's fifth.avenue establishment. The
pjcfure will be exhibited daily except
SUNDAY, beginning this morning, to
those persons who have received cards
of invitation, until January 18th. IL
is no, only superior and THOROUGHLY
characteristic example OF the great Dutch
master, but is probably the finest old mas
ter ever brought 10 America. Its anthem
ticity is unquestionable, Smith in his Rem
brandt catalogue speaking OF il as one OF
the best known and most brilliant OF ms
works. II was painted In Amsterdam, and
is signed 1910, having been executed at the
beginning OF what Is now known as the
artists second period-that In which the
GOODNESS OF his first period bad disappeared
and in which his greatest works were pro-
duced. For long time 1t formed
striking feature OF the Chavagnac cOllec-
ton, whence il passed into the hands OF
the late Due de Morny. AT the sale OF the
latter's collection II was bought In by the
family, and NJ. Schaus purchased 1t from
the present young Due de Mornv. 1t Is in
an admirable state Of preservation and is
now shown in the same frame rs when
purchased.
Although, as said above, "The Glider"
is a wel-known work abroad. 1t Is little
known even 10 the thousands oil Americans
who yearly study the art collections OF
Europe, as. from its presence 10 private
house, a special invitation, scarcely pro-
curable save through social influence, has
been necessary for its inspection. It's pres,
ent exhibition, therefore, Will be one OF
great interest even to the best informed OF
| tle New York art public. and will afford
an excellent and unprecedented opportu-
| nty in this country, taken in connection
| viii the Rembrandts now on view ut the
! METROPOLITAN Museum, Tor u study OF the
| preal master who, in energy OF expression,
! in fertility OF invention, In truth and rich.
mes Oi coloring. and in his mastery oil
chi 1. Jscuro, left a greater impress on art
than perhaps any OF his predecessors or
| followers.
The "Gilder" is a portrait painted on
panel. threc-quarter head, the bus'
shown, and is about three quarters OF life
size. The face is IN strong light, falling
from the left against dark gray back
ground. almost an olv, in daylight. The
face is that OF man about fOrty.fiye years
old. with dark brown hair, goatee, and
moustache, clad in dark brown garment
with wide ruff Of lace, and on the head thu
large hat which takes it, name from tht
painter. The urGiSembldnce is startling a
the first view. The original OF thu
painting lived pa years ago, but Ill i
he sneaks, he moves for Us to-day.
Through the half parted lips his breath
ing may almost be heard. Gazing OF
this life.like preseutment OF man 20
wears our predecessor, one need not won
der AT the old burgbers Of Amsterdam wit
for three days fanccd the portrait OF the
artists cook placed IN his window to b
that humble person herself looking out
The flesh. painting glows with life an
color, and the blood pulsates beneath .th
skin. Even the rough surfaces here an1
there, where the gilder's razor has not GU
as smoothly as elsewhere, are plainly Wis
bile and bear the minutest examination
The dark.brown eyes are deliciously cleal
and filled with calm expression. As o ton
study alone the work shows RemDranut q
. his best. Deep and rich, 1t bears slight RI
semblance In tins particular to his earlier an
, colder manner. Wonderful, too, are the sh'
, dows. Transparent, they yet accentuate tn
lighter portions, and the portrait stands on
from the background almost in relief. Tn
face, to return to it again, is in itself an a
tractye one and full OF forceful character
The forehead Is broad and high, the parte
lips slightly sensuous, yet not weak, an
the nose an aquiline. The hairs OF tn
, mollstache aud goatee are silky, even undo
. magpifying glass, and wonderfully M
tural. In every way the picture bears OF
Rembrandps surprising characteristics
, his intense humanity, his thorough mode
, ling, his subtle and rich coler, and his dee
, sympathy with his subjects. 1t IS pain
) ing Of which It's owner aud America ma
well be proud, and it is to be hoped that
| will never leave these shores.