Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-20
THAT COLUMBUS PORTRAIT.
The Chicago People Don't Like the Lotto
Design for the Souvenir Coins.

The Chicago People Don't Like the Lotto
Design for the Souvenir Coins.
The Chicago people are in a state OF mind
because the Treasury Department has selected
the Lotto portrait Of Columbus rs Q model for
the new souvenir worlds fair coin. This por-
trait has been sent TO Chicago for the inspec-
ton of the board Of control, and il 10 said that
il does not meet with the approval Of any one
there.
CHICAGO DON'T LIKE IT.
A Chicago paper says: Although Il ID known
beyond dispute that no portrait Of Columbus
was painted from life, descriptions Of his per-
sonal appearance have been placed on recordby
his son and by number Of his personal friends,
and there is no discrepancy in the descriptions.
One description IL ~ old 1901; there h Q
vignette ~ old 1900. The oldest engraving
presenting material claim for consideration ap.
peared in 1875; il is known a. the JoviAn Co
lumbus. Next after IL comes the Florence Co
lumbus and after these the Yanez Columbus
and the De Bry. All these have stood severe
tests and from all may easily be drawn oor-
rotation OF the unquestioned description Of Co.
lumbus by his and the several contemporary
historians who knew him and have depicted his
linesments. Columbus was no namby-pamby,
long haired inanity. He was q man Of aquiline
nose, oval face, high cheek bones; in his aspect
were expressed the qualities OF heroic deter
mination that for SO many years cherished an
apparently futile purpose: OF stubborn Will thss
carried out in the face of death what nearly al
other men looked upon the dream OF . mad
man; of frmness that ruled crews Of convicts
and mutineers; Of elevated and epic idealism
that, II infirm in certain traits of human nature,
lifted him high into the plane Of the worlds
greatest believers in undemonstrated scientific
truth.
"A long haired, inane profile does not bespeak
such man. The director Of the mint has done
an honorable act in submitting the proposed
portrait sketch 10 the board Of control. He
ought not TO be a party TO any privy at
tempt TO foist on the country an imaginary
portrait of Columbus, one Of the commercial
brood hurried on the market for advantage OF
the fancy prices of the fair time. No pretended
portrait Of Columbus that cannot show lite ere
dentials in the open light ought to be con-
sidered for the souvenir coin Of the fair. This
is highly important matter. IL must be
viewed from the stand of absolutely good publ
faith. No personal consideration is relev0DS,
decision upon the design Of the coin"
STORY OF THE LArro PORTRAIT.
At the Treasury Department il is said the
Lotto portrait was furnished by Mr.. W. +.
Curtis of the bureau OF American republics.
The plaster cast Of the head Of Columbus
made by A. 3. j. Dunbar. sculptor. Of Wash
ington, ID. c., from portrait Of Columbus
which Is recognized by experts rs being as
nearly authentic ssany that exists; il is believed
TO have been painted for Domenico Malipiero,
a Venetian senator and historian, at the in
stance Of his correspondent. Angelo Treyisan
(Trivigiano). secretary to the ambassador sent
TO Spain by the Nenetians in 1901, and who was
in constant communication with Columbus at
that time. Malipiero's manuscripts, and, pro-
sumably, this picture, said 10 have passed
into the possession of Senator Francesca Longo.
The Grsdenigos were the heirs Of Longo, and
II from them that the Csviliera Luigi
Rossi, a steward of the Duchess Of Parma, pur-
chased the portrait. Shortly before Rossis
death the picture sold 10 q Signor Gondoih,
who had it restored and repaired, the badly
damaged head and red cap Of an Indian at the
right being cut out. and the canvas made
square instead Of oblong. From Gondolf 10
passed TO Signor Antonio Della Revere, from
whom it was bought by Capt Frank II. Mason,
United States consul general at Frankfort, for
Mr.. James W. Ellsworth Of Chicago. The sig-
nature and date read; ''LAwrens Lotto r.,
1912" Lotto was q painter scarcely second 70
Titan He was born about 1<80 and reached
the summit of his fame about l522
CHANGE MAY BE MADE.
Tits understood that IL this portrait dos not
suit the Chicago people the Treasury Depart
ment win select another enc that viii meet thsir
requirements.
A picture Of Columbus by suardo u In ~
possession Of Mr.. W. II. Lovdermilk q ~
city and represents . strong facs