The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-19

ART SUPPLE MENT.
Tx TINES will Sunday, August 2Sth, dis
tribute the second Of its beautiful art sup
plements.
The subject chosen for this issue Is an e1-
qusitely colored reproduction OF Piloty's
great historical piece. 'Ihusnelda at the
Trumphal Entry of Germanicus in Rome"
Karl Won Piloty. the artist who was spe-
cially distinguished as a painter Of history,
was born at Munich October 1, 1876, and
died at the same place July q, 1856 He
executed this great painting upon order Of
the late A. T. Stewart. AT the request of
the late Emperor William 1t was exhibited
in Berlin before being sent to this country
The story Of Thusnelda is in brief this:
She was the beloved daughter Of SegeStes,
the king of the Catti tribe of Germans dur
ing the reign of Augustus Caesar. Arminlus,
a German prince, was her husband The
Germans becoming very FESTIVE under the
Roman yoke. were on the point OF rebellion
when Segestes, who renamed faithful TO
the Romans, proposed 70 the Roman COnsul
Narus to arrest both himself and Armnius
and 80 nip the outbreak in the bud.
Varus objected 70 this advice, and adj
vanced against Arminlus who meantime
had openly reyolted. The result is well
known. Yarus was overwhelmed bY Ar
minus his legions destroyed and he and
other chief officers fell upon their own
swords TO avoid capture by the Germans.
When this news reached Rome Augustus
gave himself up 10 grief Iand despair. and
frequently knocking his head against the
doors OF his room, would cry aloud. "Narus,
give me back my leglons. "A. D.. 9.
He did not long survive, and was sue
ceeded by Tiberus whom he had adopted.
and who in turn he requested t. adopt Ger
manicus. the nephew OF Tiberus, and
brother of Claudus afterwards emperor.
Germanicus the heir TO the throne, vas
celebrated for his force OF character epd
moderation. He WAS sent 10 quiet the Ger
mans and recover the ground lost by Narus.
His first effort was to rescue Segestes, who
was closely beseiged by his son-in-law Ar
minus. This Germanicus did effectively,
routing Arminius and taking prisoner his
wife Ihusnelda.
He then went 10 the scene of Yarus' dis
aster and buried the bones of the Roman
soldiers and their ill-fated commander.
which for six years had remained exposed
TO the elements.
The conduct Of Thusnelda at the time of
her capture 10 explicitly described by lac
titus and she has been often suggested as u
fit subject for great historical painting.
Inc OcCdblOu CHOSEN DJ our hILlbL Is.
however, three years after the rescue of Sc
gestes. when Germanicus having won the
greatest fame and glory was awarded q
triumph in Rome. tho highest possible mill
tary honor. and brings with him Thusnelda
and her son, a child born Immediately after
her capture.
The following description is by the
painter. PilOty:
The Emperor Tiberius, surrounded by
his courtiers lfavorites. councillors. lictOrs,
senators and Roman women has taken his
place upon a tribune under a spread canO-
py in order that the trIumphel procession
Of Germanicus may pass before him.
Germanious appears in the background
upon triumphal car accompanied by his
tiVe Sous surrounded by trophies OF Veto
ry and is greeted by the applause and ac-
clamations of the people. who are to be seen
at the arch Of triumph.
In front of the car. reaching from the
middle distance to the foreground Of the
picture. are the German captiyes being led
in chains. As principal figure of this group
and of the picture walks Ihusnelds ia the
costume of the Germans. with her SON.
Tumelicus "a child of three years.. accom-
panied by nurse and An attendant Be
fore her ia the Priest Libes. coupled
(chained) together with warriors. escorted
by Roman soldiers. who insult them.
Before Thusnelda are 10 be seen her
brothers. leaders of the Cheruscans,
chained together, with bears. &C.. &c. The
foreground is occupied by the populace OF
Rome. who mock and insult Thusnelda.
Ihusneda, having been fOrcibly carried
away from her husband Arminius, d Ger
man prince. by her father Segestes. was.
from reasons which appeared 20 him advan-
tageOus for his own personal interests and
the condition of the Germans, betrayed and
delivered into the hands of the Romans
In the picture Tiberius has selected Sc
eestes to stand before the steps of his
throne and has forced him 10 witness the
shame of his own daughter; he is Knocked
by the senators sitting near him as they
point 10 the prisoners below
Strabo describes as An eye-wit~ 1ss. this
event. He. as we'll as Tacitus, although Ro-
mans, express plainly their sympathy for the
devotion and love of country exhibited by
Thusnelda. whose personality will ever be a
pOetical subject for an artist.
We have been thus full and particular in
giving an account Of this picture because of
the great interest of the subject and the
absence, as far as we know. of any similar
account.
The picture 10 given away with every
copy Of IHR TINES taken by subscriber
Those who are not now on our lists and
desire the paper and picture should send on
their orders IN time. We we're unable 10 6U
Gil the orders tor the last paper with the
Art Supplement. because they came too late.