Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-13
A PICTURE SHOW.
A FINE DISPLAY OF ETCHINGS AND
ENGRAvINGS
At the Lelong-A Nucleus of a Proposed
Public Art Gallery-Some Rare Speci-
mems of the Two Arts Now on Exhibi-
ton.

reading sroom of the public library a
collection OF fine engravings and etch-
ings that should certainly be seen by
every lover of art in this community.
The exhibition is given under the aus
pices of the Ruskin club of this city,
and the members of that organization
are endeavoring to raise funds to pur-
chase the collection as nucleus for an
art gallery.
In fact, quite number of public-spir-
tied citizens are moving in the direction
Of procuring the erection of suitable
building, to be utilized as general mu-
scum. The public library, an art gal
lery and a museum for ntiquities-more
especially those relating to the past civ
ilization of Southern California and ad-
jacent territory-wouldb be afforded room
in the building above mentioned, and it
would not only afford recreation to the
citizens of Los Angeles, but also be
source of attraction to tourists. 1t is
the intention to ask for general contri-
buttons from public-spirited citizens
toward promoting this lauduable object.
The collection of engravings now on
exhibition covers the entire history of
the art of engraving. Perhaps the old
est example of the graver's art is por-
trait of Titan by Agostino Carraci. AS
an engraver this artist ranked among
the fret IN Italy. Another notable work
is the Four Evangelists on four plates !;
they are finely executed, this artist ex-
ceiling in figures of small size.
Perhaps the most valuable work in
the collection from an art standpoint ia
the Pompone de Bellievre by Robert
Nanteuil. In the judgment of more
than one connoisseur this is the most
beautiful engraved portrait that exists.
1t is especially referred to in Summers
work on Best Portraits. This work was
engraved in 1850.
Gerard Edelinck is represented by
the famous engraving of Moses, which
shows the boldness and at the
same time exquisite finish of
this engraver, who was a prince
eminent sixteenth century engraver, is
represented by plates of the famous St.
John, the evangelist, and the Madonna
di San Sisto. These plates are exceed
ingly rare, especially the former, which
. is valued at $500. One of the especially
fine examples of landscape engraving is
The Temple OF Apollo, after Claude Lor-
raine, engraved by William Woollett in
the seventeenth century. In looking at
this work one can perceive to what per-
fection of high art Woollett carried land
scape engraving by the intelligent union
of point and brain. A portrait of Louis
XVI by Charles Bervic will also attract
the attention of the connoisseur. 1t is
after the full length portrait by Callot
at Versailles. In this work Bervic has
obtained the brilliancy and softness in
white and black tones that one ordi-
narily finds indicated in painting by the
aidof color.
A fine example of the Flemish school
of etching in the sixteenth century is
the etching, Joseph Telling His Dream.
This etching was produced in Amster-
dam in 1888, and for technique it is even
today unequaled, while it is rich in dra-
matte suggestion. Auguste Boucher
Desnoyer is represented by the celebrated
Napoleon le Grand which was exhibited
in the salon of 1910, and of which only
6OO Impressions were made. 1t is an ex-
ceedingly rare work. A bust OF Raphael
by Sir Robert Strange shows a wonder
full combination of purity, breadth and
vigor, although somewhat deficient in
color. The Pancake Woman. by Corne-
Illus Visscher, is alike unique and orig
inal and fanciful from technical stand
point.
Among other works in the collection,
all of which will repay study, are exam
Piles by Mason, Vau de Pass, Della
Bella, Morghen, Schulze, Garavaglia,
Metymocher, and Haden G. Unger.
Adrian Van Ostade is represented by a
peasant scene that shows marvellous ex.
ecution.