New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-15
TAPESTRIES FOR THE NEW CATHEDRAL.
VALUABLE GIFT FROM MRS. WILLIAM +. COLES
SCENES FROM cHRIsr,s LIEF.

SCENES FROM cHRIsTs LIFE.
Mrs. William F. Coles Of No. e77 Fifthave, has
recently presented 10 the trustees Of the Cathedral Of
ST. John the Divine to be used for the decoration Of
the Cathedral at their discretion, twelve tapestries
Illustrating the life Of Christ. These tapestres which
are now on storage in the Lincoln Safe Deposit Com
pany, and the work Of Jean Francois RomaneIlI and
Jacques Della Riviera, who nourished at the time OF
Pope Urban VIII. The nephew OF Urban VIII the
Carnallegate Francois Barberin for the purpose Of
gratifying his passion for art, established factory in
$685. and from the great masters OF the time selected
Romanel the purveyor Of cartoons and Riviera as
the superintendent OF the weavers.
The twelve mentioned have been preserved in the
Barberni family until purchased from the Princess Of
Barberni by Mrs Coles. The price paid was 10000.
The money value Of these works Of art however, Is
far less than their worth specimens of an in
dustry in which the genius of artists and the skill of
weavers who left no successors, have been united
with the lavish expenditure from the Papal treasury
in producing works Of religious art which have
been surpassed :. 1t was only with great difficulty
that the necessary consent Of the Italian Gov
eminent was secured for the removal Of these art
treasures from Italy. The Minister of Public In
sruction placed his seal each tapestry besides which
the stamp Of the Ufz Gallery attached 10 them.
There are eleven scenes from the Efe of Christ and
one man OF the Holy Land as it was in 1853. The
tapestries as follows
No l. The Annunciation. The Angel Gabriel bears
stnle crossed upon his breast. and lily in his hand
In the top border plough harnessed to two bees and
conducted by a third bee Signed lac. d. L. RIv
Size Is feet inches high by 10 feet inches wide
No o The Alteration OF the Shepherds. Signed
IAo D. L. RIv. size. Is feet inches high by 10
feet inches WIDE
No. 3. The Alteration Of the Mag Size, Is feet
inches high by 10 feet inches wide.
No. A. The Flight into Egypt, with the inscription
Al .a<f,.~ - H.. md
scope appears the Red Sea- Marc Rvbrvm the province
of Thebas Thebals and the city of Alexandria, Alex
andra. signed lac. D. L. RIv. Size 10 feet
inches high by II feet wide.
No, 5 The Baptism of Christ, dated 1851, and
signed lac d. L. RIv. Size, Is feet inches high
BY 10 feet inches vide.
No. 6. The TRANSPORTATION. Signed lac D. L.
RIy Size Is feet @ inches high by IL feet WIDE
No. 7. The Last supper Signed lac. D. L. RIv.
Size IS feet inches high by II feet inches wide.
M & The Mount Of Olives crhe Passion). Signed
FAC d l. RIv. size 10 feet inches high by 10 feet
4 inches wide. 1890
No O. The Crucifxion. Signed LAC. D. L. CIV.
Size Is feet inches high by IL feet 10 inches wide
No 10. The Resurrection. Size, 10 feet hcheS
high by 10 feet inches wide.
No II. Giving the Keys to st. Peter. Signed.
Size Is feet inches high by II feet inches wide.
No. IT, Map Of the Holy Land. Signed. Dated
MDCLII n662) sze 10 feet inches high by 10 feet
wide.
In each OF the four OF all these tapestries
,s cartouch ncosng three bees encrcled in wreath
the emblem of the Barberni family. Except in Nos.
4 and 10 there is cartOuch placed in the middle
~ the ton border with a medallion which IN
Nos o 8 G. and II incoses Roman plough.
Two bees are harnessed to the plough while thllu
be * represented as the ploughman guiding the plough
In Nos g Z o and 10 the cartOuch in the middle OF
the ton border is decorated with the sun rising above
the
This alegorlcal representation Is thought 10 be EN-
bleulatic Of the character Of Pope Urban VIII Inc
barneed bees represent the increasing efforts OF mat
MONTH"; for the advancement Of the Church and state
the rising sun representing the grandeur Of the name
Barberni. ,
medallion wreath, supported by two Wngeu
cherubs one being crowned by circlet OF MOWERS
plsced in the middle Of the top borders Oh nos anu
10 In No this wreath encirces the WORDS AeESPV'
sanctifcata" while in No. IL 1t encircles Cne WIZ
a1ror,o sorcta In the middle Of the bottom borders
If Nos and IL is medallion wreath supporeu W
tvo winged cherubs one of whom, In No IL hoIls
eo- in one hand and points with the other tO"aiu Ue
centre of the medallion, wlle the Olnr Tn yreat
the crown Of thorns above the Wva1n taT M troas
in No encrcles a female figure Wlth Two palm Noo0'
and an alligator and the pyramids OF hgSpS III .boso
In the middle OF the bottom D0fders Oh al ulos1
tapestries excepting Nos and II, Is placed CaI,
win two infants representing Charity. cartouch ls
In tho centre OF all but Nos. and IL OF the
incosing on the right hand female hgure Win V 10
represent Hope, and the LETT land Ienae nsuI0
holding a cross. to represent Faith - -o.o1
These Of the picturesque way side chapels
which are 90 often along the roadsde OF touIc
Fnron4 Between all these cartouches are husIs. -
aed with gracefully entwned olive branches Ahoc'eu
1