The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-11
1T MAY BE A REMBRANDT.
A Fragment of an Old Painting Found
in a Negroes Cabin.

A painting, supposed to be an original
Rembrandt, has come to light in one of the
last places where lover of the old masters
would be apt to look for such rare treasure.
1t is now the property of o. w. Crawford,
says the Kansas City Star, aud for three
weeks has been on exhibition at his Office
in the Journal building.
Tha picture is in battered condition and
the unmist kable marks of age are clearly
apparent. 1t has eviden thy met with some
hard usage. Age and hard handling have
partly obliterated the painting. The pict-
ure shows two hfe-siZe heads. One is the
face of middle-aged man of culture and
refinement, having the expression Of fear,
wonder, and establishment, combined with
storm self control. Clothed with the Roman
uunic he has every appearance of religious
parsonage of noble character. Behind him
and to the right is seen the face of his COM
panion, more of peasants appearance. In
this face the same emotions are discernible,
unrestralned by the presence of self-control,
and with the appearance of one trusting
entirely upon the stronger character of his
companion. A small part of third face is
seen in the background, but the larger part
is entirely illegible. The handling of this
study is broad, bold, and rapid as if to
give utterance to tho ideas that crowded
into the mind of its executor, and this bold
ness adds strength to the probability of its
authenticity. A copyist would have lacked
this one prominent feature of masters
handiwork and would have worked with
care What strikes the observer is the
profound perception of character, the deep
expression of sentiment, and the powerful
embodiment OF the sublime passions The
work is carefully finished without being
minute, the tone is profound, the toucn
broad, harmonious, and vigorous. Whether
or not it is an original Rembrandt, it is
surely the work OF an artist of great power
in the delineation of character, and the sim
plicity of the colors shows his superior skill
leaving on the spectator an impression of
absolute enjoyment, unconscious of the
means which produceit.
Mr.. Crawford is carefully hunting up the
history of the painting, and is in CORE
spondence with one of the greatest art
critics of this country, trying to establish
its commences. His history takes it back to
one of the large art galleries of Rome,
where it formed part of a much larger
painting. From there this fragment of a
size 20x30 inches was cut out by thief and
was afterward found in the effects of La
Fitte, the celebrated pirate of the Gulf of
Mexico. This is conjecture, but from this
point its history is known.
LaFitte had a faithful slave Of whom he
was greatly fond, and previous to his cap
ture coGfided this painting to the negro,
saying that in case he managed to evade
pursuit, he would require its return LaFitte
was captured. and the negro held posses
sion of the painting. Side by side with a
cheap premium chrome of washington
Crossing the Delaware was hung this gem,
decorating the walls of the humble one
room cabin on the banks OF the Mississippi
in Louisiana. Coming to the notice of the
owner ofthe plantation, the picture came into
the possession and for years was owned by
the richest sugar planter in the state. He
supposed it to be an ancient work, but never
troubled himself to trace back It's history.
In the war of rebellion the
planters home was DESTROYED,
and its effects, including this pint
ing, sold at public sale. A Jew was the
purchaser, and for twenty years up to last
month it was stored away among his valua-
bles, until jewish rabbi of Galveston, Tex.
CHANGED to see it. The rabbi was per-
sonal friend of Mr.. Crawford, to whom he
conveyed the information that he consid-
cred the picture work of Rembrandt The
rabbits reputation as a connoisseur was so
well established that upon his recommeuda-
ton Mr.. Crawford made the purchase. II he
can succeed in getting it registered as
genuine Rembrant no will have painting
valued at anywhere from $4,000 to $780,
600