The sun., 1895-01-21
MR. EHRIcH WRITES FooB1sH
LETTER
In Dsfsaes OF His Coiieetiea or Alleged
Old Masters.

oin MAstera
To THR EDITOR or THE suS-Sir. I am un-
willing TO believe that you would knowingly do
me the wrong which, possibly In all good faith.
has been done me by your art critic in to-day's
criticism Of my collection Of Dutch and Flemish
masters SO long as a critic deals in
Reneralities. It is dlfIioult to close with
him, but IL he 10 rash enough to de-
scend to particulars, then IL is often
possible to bring out his lack OF knowledge and
expert conndtssdncc. Your critic says of my
ivan der Weydon that "it Is either q copy or
work Of art from a restorer's shop" In my
opinion, the best examples OF "van der wey-
den" are in the Munich Gallery. Therefore
when had purchased this example Of mine,
took 1t to Munich to be expertized. The great
expert and restorer OF the Munich Gallery DR..
A. Hauser-a man not only Of the highest expert
authority, but also unlmpeschable in character;
one, l might note also, who would never
accept the slightest payment for any expert
ization-came TO the Hotel Four Seasons to
examine 1t. BY happy accident. Mr.. T. j.
Blakeslee, the art dealer of Fifth avenue and
Thirty-fourth street, was In tho hotel and, by
my invitation, in the very room when Dr.
Hauser examined my ivan der Weyden." Mr.
Hauser Is not demonstrative man. but after
looking over the example carefully. he burst
out with: This painting is a pearl! II is n
be proud to own it." Your readers must de-
eide whether DIR. Hauser your, critic is the
best judge of q Roger Van der Weyden."
OF the "Netscher." your critic says that
Netscher" did not paint it," and that "it Is not
even an imitation Of his style or Of any picture
that he has ever painted"
Now, then. as is stated In your criticism,
guarantee the genuineness and attribution Of
every example, agreeing to return the money
with interest within one year II found other
wise by competent expert authority. AS to this
"Nctscher," however, shall amend my guar
artee by agreeing to defray every expense to
have 1t forwarded to any irst-class gallery in
Europe, and IL 1t is declared not to be Net
scher" pure, genuine, and unimpeachable,
will pay the purchaser ttCtce the amount which
he will have paid for the painting. This offer
gives your critic an opportunity to turn his ex-
pert knowledge to immediate financial advan-
tage.
Now, then. as to my changing the attributlon
of tho Halls" " to Rembrandt" can truth
fully say that regarded the finding of the
Rembrandt signature as in many ways unfortu-
nate but having found it, l could not in honor
withhold 1T. and was compelled to attribute it
to its proper source.
Your readers will appreciate, just as appre-
ciate, the extreme difficulty of any American
newspaper securing the services of q critic who
Is really an expert on '"old masters" The fact
may be stated plainly and decidedly that there
are very very few men who have an accurate
and reliable knowledge of the subject. For this
very reason, although hold the written opinion
Of great European experts ON nearly every
painting I possess, made the effort through
Mr.. E. Hamilton Bell twho is the nephew
Of Mr.. Poynter, the director of "The National
Gallery W to induce Mr.. Poynter. or some other
great English expert whom he would endorse. to
come here and impartially expertZie every ex-
ment which I authorized Mr.. Bell to offer. the
effort to secure such q man in the limited time
failed. Had the effort succeeded. the real quail
ity Of my paintings would have been more ade-
9uately realized and your criticism would never
NEW YORK. Jan. 90. LOUIS r. ENRICH.