Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-29
The Doges' Palace at Venice.
Nenice Letter)

The Superior Court Of Fine Arts In
Rome having adopted a resolution for
mally declining 10 accept further respon-
sibility for the safety of the Doges
Palace i'm this city, the government tele-
graphsd last night 10 Signor Boito' the
weli-known architect of Milan, requesting
him 10 proceed TO Venice Immediately,
hold an inquiry, and submit report.
The report on which the Council OF FINE
Arts adopted their resolution says that
the building is in great danger, owing 10
the extensive subsistence of the walls ad-
iacent 10 the Bridge of Signs and the de-
cav of the timbers supporting the Library
OF 81. Mark. the floor of which was shored
no three years ago. The ceilings or many
of the other rooms are also said 10 DO
much dilapidated, and threaten to fall in
the arches being cracked IN every dlrec-
tion. The palace architects say that the
apprehensions entertained are greatly eX-
aggerated, and are partly untoundea, pul
their declaration is not considered as
verv reassuring. especially when other
competent Venetian architects agree ~ith
the report OF the Council Of Fine Arts.
The oazzetta di Nenezia publishes an I'M
terview with Signor Berchet, the director
and Signor ROsso, the architect OF the
District Committee. who state that the
alleged subsidences by the Bridge OF
sighs do not exist, and that there IS
merely a movement of the wall caused
bv the oxidation of the metal clamps
threatening no immediate danger. Both
these officials also deny that the tim5ers
are worm-eaten; they are merely IN
had state. and are being gradually re-
neyed The floor Of st. Marks Library
they ada. was shOred up because OF the
weight Of the books, which Increase In
number every day. and should be tenn
porariLy transferred elsewhere TO permit
of repairs being carried out. The present
supports. however, are quite adequate
TO avert all danger. As 10 the ceilings
they are not dilapidated, and only III
the Sala del Maggior Consiglio ana some
others have "A few decorations fallen, the
fragments of which have been collected
in order to be replaced when funds are
available for the purpose. As to the
arches. the keystone Of only one Is miss
ing. and measures are being taken 10 re-
pair il. the arch being mean while solidy
propped up.
The local committee has at its disposal
only 50.O0Of for the work of restoration
According 10 another interview published
Signor Delzotto member of the Council
of Fine Arts, is represented 20 have de-
cared that cracks have recently appear
ed i'm many OF the timber supports and
that the woodwork in many places Is
dllapidated. The settling Of the walls
especially near the canal is quite evil
dent. since the weight Of the snklna
arch has broken I'm the capitals Of the
pillars. SignOr DelzOtto considers that thu
| present state Of affairs iustihes the gray
est apprehension. Signor RinnOva
/ mento shares these views. He points on
! that the ceilings Of five rooms are al
, ready shored up. and that the sinking o
| the walls is evidently making progress
/ He considers it necessary 10 remove tn
statuary collection from the archaeology
cal museum and the library Of 5000
| volumes.