The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-10

English and American newspapers. Dur
ing this period the late Daniel IA. Lon
don, then a large importing merchant IN
Richmond. was making his customary
annual visit to the city, where he was
met by the late William +. Wickham,
ESD of Hanover. Va, who had just re-
turned from an extended trip on the
Continent and a special visit TO Rome.
Ii was on meeting with these gentlemen
that we learned that they had been au-
thorized by the Committee Of the Uni
yesjtv Alumni Association 10 select a
picture and an artist to copy II. They
had already entered into negotiations
with an Italian artist. by the name OF
MadZelini. to make a copy of Raphaei 5
School Of Athens, in the vatican AT
Rome. But Madzeini would not agree
to make full-size copy for the amount
offered. Mr. Osborne and myself imme-
diately urged them not TO take further
action with Madzelini until we could in
troduce them to NJ. Paul Balze, the en-
ploye of the French Government, with
studio at Rome. who had just completed
a copy of the picture for the Government,
and would exhibit II at the Pantheon
I'm a short time. AT the interview which
followed with NJ. Bale. day was APP
pointed 10 visit the painting with him.
This was necessary owing 10 the fact
tndi. dIlNOuBn the ldlillhS was diif"Ns
I'm place for exhibition, it could not be
for the public. because the great pendu-
lum experiments of Lern Fencault had
not been completed. and the apparatus
removed. \ sight of the painting. with
the explanations Of the painter and the
artistic appreciation and enthusiasm or
Osborne were fully sufficient 10 capti-
vate Messrs. Wickham and London, ana
10 nut an end to all further negotiations
I...N flflf1 f4fN1 IA
obtain the painting, and the sum to be
maid for the copy. there were many hitch
es: and but for Osborne | hardly think
they could have been overcome. lie was
unceasing and untiring in his efforts,
and IL was TO his friendly acquaintance
with Balze that the final agreement was
mainly due.
NV recollection IS. that three thousand
dollars was the sum agreed to be PAID
NJ Balze for making copy OF the pic
ture. 20 be delivered at his studio when
completed When the copy was complet-
ed. the Committee of the Alumni Asso-
citation did not have the necessary funds
TO bring the painting to this country ana
mount il at the University. They en-
ployed Mr.. Pratt, a then weH-knoWn
citizen Of Richmond. who offered TO DO
II for certain considerations-chief the
privilege Of exhibiting the picture In TINS
country until ne was reimbursed. Inc
offer was accepted. Pratt did go. anu
after the painting was approved py
Judge John G. Mann, then Minister 10
France. brought II 10 this country. where
il was exhibited and lectured on by Mr..
! Pratt in many Of the large cities. In
| his own time without any call from the
| Committee. he brought the painting 10
the University, and it was placed in the
public hail. IN tho annex 10 the rotunda,
! vhorc it remained its chief ornament
and object Of admiration to the day OF
! its destruction.
| MY impression is that NJ Paul Balze
/ Is dead. but / am informed that the
/ original copy taken FOR the French
! Governmcnt-the one first seen by MS at
! the Pantheon-!s mounted at the "Acad-
| emie des Bcaux Arts" in Paris. and Is
J in good preservation.
This statement is made upon my best
! recollection Of the circumstances con-
, rectcd with the earliest steps taken TO