New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-30
HE THINKS HE HAS, 4 RUBENS.
4 NEWARK ARTISTS IMPROBABLE STORY.
HE FINDS A PICTURE IN A BARBER SHOP AND
SAYS IT is A WORK OF THE GREAT MASTER

IIE FINDS PICTURE IN 4 BARBER-SIIOP AND
SAYS IT is WORK OF THE GREAT MASTER
Josef We'll, of Newark on Tuesday last. bought a
picture for 200 from lIcbry d. BehenS, barber. Mt
No 312 Pane-st which he thinks Is a Rubens. n
companion to one now in the ROYAL Academy at
Munich, which he is valued SIo5 900. Mr.. We'll
Is an artist, and lives at NO. 222 Maraetst. The
picture Is now in his studio and yesterday he showed
IT 10 a reporter. 1t is 5sxi3 inches Mr. We'll de-
clares that Peter Paul Rubcns painted the picture.
The artist studied at the Poyal Academy In Munich.
lie points TO the letters in the lower lethand
OF the picture, which are easily dscernlbc with the
of glass.
time ago." said the artist "Bchrcns at
tended the sale OF paintings which took place while
settling up the estate Of the late Justice Brady. Of
the supreme Court bench. Bchrens took fancy to
this work and secured it for a small sum. believe
$50. He endeavored to obtain history
Of the work. but unable To- do All the ex
ecutOrS could tell him was that justice Brady pur-
chased II about two years ago In Europe. lie was
told, however, that the Judge considered 1t valuable
painting. BchrcnS brought the picture to Newark
and hung II in his harjcr-shcp, in Plane st. II
attracted q great deal Of attention during the three
weeks it hung there. Among those who scanned II
closely Police Officer John Cahrey. who lives al
No. - Jcierson-st. lie came 10 me and urged me
10 visit the barber-shop.
"As rs the general character OF the picture was
described by the OfCcr SuIin>cl tnLt III lniSHl Nv
companion OF the which hangs In the Royal Acad-
cmy at Munich. but did not expect my surmlse woud
be realized I visited the barbcrshop and was struck
by the work. The picture was hung in bad hSh''
and did not show of to good advantage Iherc WIS
no opportunity for critical examination. but real
lied that II II not genuine IT was remarkably
good counterfeit. | opened negotiations. and without
difficulty purchased II for modest sum- had inc
picture transferred my studio and when put
it in coed light. the signature OF EubenS
was plainly dsccrnblc do not ask any one To take
my oIinion in the matter. and hope 10 have capab,
critics and judge ;or them,clycs rs 70 It's genuine
ness and va!uc. | shall probably first obtain the
opinion 81 VIII am Vi. Chase the artist, OF New >orh'
who is n rccocniycl authority on >urh matte =.
The story of the finding OF an Original Rub"nS was
au ch,d at by prominent Germans In Newnrh. Pro
lc.s)r Wen, twcvcr. is now positive, OF SAYS tha'
he is, tha, the picture is an original Euben'' ~
is twcnty-sevtn years old, and was born III
Newark. Tn picture Is set IN It
-uh name Oi plnn pattern, with b'acRel III 'h'h
III tho top corners. The picture represents NcII
asleep \, her left, leaning OVER her j. ran WHlic
~ her ,qit sand, cupid. They are cautiously IN
covering form and Pan has ne iorcineHr % niN
The letters T. T. --cnS arc disc"inihlc In ti" hWe.
eft corner. and there spaces wh.r, U"
" ENb' may be OIlrJ1icd. IrJit,-oI WSl j.
20 have the picture photographed and VIII send piN
Of II to the Various foreign capitals and also 10 artsts
n This country.