Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21
WESTINGHOUSE OLD MASTERS
Uanvases That Have Strong Claim to
Being Genuine
A Supposed Titan Found on Capitol
HiII-A Fra Angelica That Stop
ped n Chimney -1ole.

DR.. Barbarin cura tor of the Corcoran ART
Gallery, is engaged in cleaning and restor-
ing what may prove, according to some con-
noisseurs, to be Titan. 1t is the property
of Mrs. Dove, wife of the superintendent
of the Capitol Hill post office. She remem-
bers that her grandfather, John Barclay OF
Louisville, KY, bought the picture in Eu-
rope many years ago. The canvas Is about
thirty inches by thirty-eight, and is an up
right The figure is that of Salome bearing
the head of John the Baptist on salver.
At her side. in shadow, is female figure
hooded and draped if for foil to throw
the Salone into Importance and contrast.
But small portion Of the canvas has yet
been restored Until this work is finished
and varnish has given life and depth to
the colors, there is little chance to judge it.
The Salome is large, well-kept, voluptu-
Gus woman. She is richly clad, with a girdle
of jewels swinging across her bosom, and
her pose, with head held high and partly
averted from the hideous burden in her
hands, IS all that a master might have
sought to express in the theme. So far as
action is concerned. 1t is the cruel, sensuouS,
master-serving harlot of the orient The
figure, however, is more suggestive of the
work of Rembrandt When the picture is
restored 1t will be taken to New York and
submitted to the judgment of experts there.
X
There is also on exhibition at Veerhoff' s
what is likely to be accepted as an old mas
ter. This is claimed to be an "Annuncia-
tion," by Fra Angelica. This picture was
found years ago in North Carolina, and
came into the possession of Capt. Boutel.e
of the coast survey, and now belongs to his
son, Mr.. j. B. Boutelle of this city. This
"Annunciation" is painted on wood which
is badly checked and worm-eaten. The face
OIL the picture, however, is in good state
of preservation, and the colors are rich and
firm. The scene is the annunciation by the
angel to the Holy Virgin of her destined
glory as the mother of Christ
The numerous details of the picture are
worked out, as is usual in the work of Fra
Angelica. with great fidelity and patience.
The way this picture was found makes a
good story. Mr.. Fed Braendle, who was
art commissioner from Italy to the Phila-
delphia centennial exposition, one day over
heard lady in ST. Matthew'S Church re-
mark that she knew where there was
picture resembling one hanging in the
church. Mr. Braendles curiosity was
aroused. and he went to see the picture.
With his thorough knowledge of the old
masters, he was not long in satisfying him
self that this work had good claim to genu-
lneneSS. II 1t Is accepted as Fra Angelica
its value is great, for it is an excellent ex-
ample.
The little piece of worm-eaten board over
which the monk of Fiesole bent on the
floor for this was his method of painting
was for years used to stop chimney hole.
Yet it is as perfect as several works by
Fra Angelica that have sold for large
fortunes. ~
The difficulty with an old master is to find
purchaser The dealer or the collector
never regards a new-found picture as of
any value until he has bought it. Then it
is of fabulous worth.
*FAa
Besides these masterpieces, there are two
that have been kicking about in Washing
ton junk shops for. years that are I'M
doubtedly genuine One of these is Mu-
rillo which the late DIR. Bliss bought of
Mexican war veteran, who said he tore it
from its frame in a Mexican convent. 1t
represents the good Samaritan, and is a
wonderful piece of flesh paint.
The other picture referred to is little bar
room scene attributed to Adrian Brauwer,
the contemporary and boon friend of Rem
brandt. 1t is bright and strong in, color as
the day its drunken author painted IT, 1t
bears his peculiar signature. which is more
than can be said of the Murillo, the Fra
Angelica or the Titan.
This little Brauwer If it should ever meet
a purchaser, would bring $1,000. The Fra
Angelica, judged by what others have
brought ought to bring $4,000. The Titan
is worth a fortune, if genuine. &c. too, with
the Murillo.
There are doubtless a number of old
masters lying hidden in Washington gar
rets. A well-known Washington citizen has
what is undoubtedly a genuine Hobbema
1t has been in his family for a century or
more. When a boy he found it in the gar
soap suds. As it was slow in getting clean
he rubbed soap into it and rubbed two
thirds of the sigma off. 1t is a brilliant
landscape and an excellent example