Evening star., 1897-02-20

than floor of stone or marble such as one
often meets with in public buildings
The next room to the south of the one
that Is devoted to the Barye bronzcs con-
tains only marble bus:s. The southeast
room has for its principal figure the Greek
Slave, which stands in the center of the
room The Peri and number of other
familiar figures are placed about the walls
The main room on the south side of the
building contains the collection of electro
types. In the southwest room are a num-
Der OF different statues of Venus. with the
venus de Milo in the most prominent posi-
ton. The big west room contains some of
the larger pieces, among them the LAGOON
and the Torso of Hereu uIes
On the west side, north Of the stairway
is large room. which is to be devoted to
the display of modern statuary. At pres
ent there are but few pieces in place. One
OF them Is copy or reproduction of one
or Mr.. Partridge's recent figures and tho
trustees hope that in time other sculptors
in like manner may see fit to donate or
deposit specimens of their best work
All the pieces of stataary in the gallery
have been thoroughly cleaned since the cid
building was closed. Among the workmcn
In the new gallery was a clever Italian
who remarked to DIR. Barbarin one day
that many of the statues needed cleaning
very badly. and that he thought he could
do the work in a satisfactory manner Dr.
Barbarin gave him permission to try his
hand on the Torso of Hercules. and when
the former arrived at the gallery the next
nzable, 1t was so clean and white. The
man was directed then to go ahead with
the work, and the results have been most
pleasing.
The Grand Stairway.
The main stairway from the atrium to
the second floor, where the pictures are dis
played, is on the opposite side of the build
ing from the entrance 1t Is an imposing
affair of Georgia white marble, and more
than fifteen feet wide. The ascent is un-
usually easy, the treads being only a few
inches in height. Half way up, where the
stairway branches to right and left, is a
wide platform. In the wall is niche,
where now stands the figure of Augustus,
but where in time it is expected will be
placed q handsome statue of Mr.. Corcoran.
In the center of the upper atrium IS the
familiar figure, 1.-The Last Days of Ma
roleon." 1t faces the stairway and occu-
PIES perhaps the most conspicuous position
in the building.
The Second Floor.
Around the interior runs a gallery, from
vi hich access is had to the rooms in which
the pictures are hung, and from which,
over massive oak rail, can be had splen-
cid view of the low atrium and its collec-
ticn of statuary. The walls of this gallery
are also used for the display Of pictures,
ard here are hung some of the larger and
more familiar of the canvases.
There are on the upper floor eight mag
nifcent rooms for pictures. giving more
than twice much wall space as the orig
iral gallery afforded. One of the largest
rooms Is set apart solely for the works Of
American artists and is not by any means
the least attractive part of the collection.
In arranging the pictures in the new gal
lery great pains were taken to place each
in such a position and light as would bring
out its points to the best advantage. As
can well be imagined. this was no small
undertaking and taxed the skill and pa