The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-25

Tho story OF the vision as told to the
writer by Father Bernardine OF Treves.
one OF the present leading progressive
spirits in the Church of st. Mary OF the
Angels. is as follows:
N"One bitter winters night, st. Fran
els being sorey tempted by the devil TO
lessen his austerities, overcame the evil
one by throwing himself into a thicket
Of briars and rolling himself In II until
his body was all torn and bleeding. At
the same moment the briars were turned
into roses In full bloom, a heavenly
brightness shone around and angels
came to lead ST. Francis to the Church
OF the Portiuncula, where our Lord APP
peared 10 him in person, ACCOMPANIED by
His mother and a heavenly host. and
granted him the Indulgence of the Por-
tiuncula"
MIRACULOUS ROSE BUSHES.
The miraculous rose bushes grow
without thorns to this day, and each OF
the leaves is stained with srots hike
those made by blood. The thornless
roses grow In the garden adjoining the
church and are protected jealously from
vulgar touch. II is claimed ty the
Brotherhood that great favors have been
obtained by the faithful by the devout
In the list Of the great pilgrimages of
the Catholic world the Portiuncula, ranks
fourth. Devout pilgrims 20 there to ex-
perience the truth of St. Francis words:
This il a holy spot: whoever prays
here devoutly will obtain what he asks
for"
Murillo's painting embodies the features
Of the vision. as well as the chapel IT.
self and is considered 10 be master
piece.
Centered I'm the picture is the altar OF
the Portiuncula, with an embroidered
carmine cover and illuminated by rays
Of daylight from the rear. st. Francis.
barofooted. knees at the left. With hands
outstretched entreatingly The figure Is
superb. placed I'm an effective semi-f-
Elimination. it's right side standing out
with sufficient prominence to carry out
the artists idea focusing attention upon
It. Murilo's fidelity to nature is demon
strated i'm the feet of st. Francis. The
ankle bones. wrinkles and even the dirty
gray callous spots on the soles are care
fully brought out. The poorly clad ex-
terror Of the monk contrasts strongly
with the glowing ecstacy his face ex-
presses as he views the vision. illus
trated by the painter in the clouds over
the altar.
SUPERB GROUPS OF ANGELS
Mary and Christ. surrounded by groups
of jumping. romping. happy angels. are
pictured i'm the clouds. European critics
rave over Murillo's angels. They agree
that in this picture in correctness Of com
position and Individual beauty the groups
are considerably better than the WELL
known Angel glory OF Antonius of Padua.
al .4f fe o~iN f.r artf
Is beautiful blonde angel. holding the
edge of the Madonna's mantle. Two OF
the larger angels az the right side OF the
canvas are likened 10 Murillo's familiar
Seville street boys suddenly transplanted
into heaven.
The figure Of the Madonna Is of great |
interest. principally because Il had been
Effected by the wretchd overpalnting |
more than any other part of the picture. |
She appears like a beautiful young maid, |
with fine features and delicate nature. |
The hands are OF the most noble mold |
md the entire figure stands out in strcng |,
'elief from the delicate blue mantle which |
serves as a background.
II is hard to believe that Murillo in |
ended that youthful figure to represent |
The mother OF Christ. whom he paints /
next TO her as a strongly built. full |
;rowa man with masses of dark curly |
lair. a beard and strikine,y heavy lips.
Three cherubs' heads. directly behind the !,
wo principal figures were brought ont |
~ the process OF restoration. The whole |
fleet of the painting Is rich. The light 1
ng is distributed with an artistic nice
less and individual beauty over the en- /
ire canvas never before equaled by Mu-
lilo.
4 fund is now being raised In ROrse
or the purpose Of buying the "Portiun-
'ula" and placing II with the many 9TH
r old and valuable works in the art gal
cries OF the Vatican. Cologne. too IS |
lnXious 70 keep the painting for its mu-
eum. Both will find the keenest COM
EDITION from the museums OF other large
titles Of the world when the work Of Mu-
lilo is offered for sale.