The Washington weekly post., 1899-07-11

London. June S-The bringing 20 light
OF an original bust Of Oliver Cromwell.
executed by the most prominent sculptor
OF his time, promises 10 be one OF the
most notable events OF the year The
discovery OF the bust has set at rest
controversy of centuries regarding
the character Of Cromwell as indexed
In his face. The bust. which is from the
hands of the noted Florentine sculptor.
Bernini Q59S-leS)), who was employed by
Charles l for portraits OF himself. is held
on all sides 10 give q distinctly more re-
fined and genial expression TO features
which have hitherto been known only
through painters who seem largely 10
have followed one another and 10 have
sketched only one. and probably the pre-
vailing mood and expression OF divers
strong but mobile face
Fortunately the history of Bernini's
bust, which is an exquisite work Of art,
is sufficiently we'll known and authen-
ticated. 1t has been Of late years in the
historic collection owned by Lord Revel-
stoke, where but for the newer value
given to every relic Of Cromwell by the
remarkable revulSion of feeling in his
favor which the last fifty years have
witnessed, it might easily have passed
into obscurity.
Fortunately il occurred 10 Mr. Charles
Wertheimer. of London, that II would be
a timely present 20 the British nation
to purchase the bust and hand Il over
10 the keeping of the House of Commons.
There 1t now stands on temporary ped
eStal, one of the most remarkable hu-
man documents to be found in the pre-
cincts of the British Parliament House.
Hitherto CrOmWelTs personal ap-
pearance has been known only through
the portraits Of the painters. Up 10 the
present year the abundant Cromwell lit
erature contained no mention of a marble
bust, although, OF course, the conventions
allied portrait on the Dunbar medal. by
Simon. has often been engraved. The
painted portraits by Cooper. Walker,
Faithorn, and Zely have all a singular
resemblance.
General Features the Same.
All seem to agree in portraying the big.
massive head. the solid face, and strong
and prominent nose, the historic wart
over the right brow, the sad eyes set I'm
large orbits beneath the prominent brow
ridges C'the bar OF Michelangelo'D; the
light brown hair falling in locks over the
shoulders. the slight, sCanty mustaChe.
and the tuf. on the under lip. Berninfs
bust is iI remarkable contrast to the
sadness and suggestion of cOarsenesS
which mark most of the painters poT-
traits. The main features Of the lion face
are there. but the added look of refine
ment and alertness which Bernini has
seized is nothing less than startling, In
stead Of the heavy eyelids and the look
of depression, the eyes are large. open,
and inquiring with a sngulaTly modern
+FVrTr,
aspect of the cOuntenance is keen. bright.
and genial. The swollen look. which has
been the feature of so many descriptions
and apologies, is entirely absent.
In short. when Cromwell gave the in
teTviews or sittings for Bernini's bust, it
gas evidently a period, when. i'm spite of
enormous cares, the Protector could oc-
CasiOnally give scope to the relayatiOns
he loved. Americans who come 10 Lon
don will see in this wonderful marble pOr-
traiture something of the Oliver VINO
loved music encouraged musicians. and
held weekly concerts. This Is the Crom-
well who collected a fine library. Who
sought out and gathered around him
men Of genius and learning.
The bust shows the Protector wearing
the Dunbar medal, struck in honor of tie
victory over the Scots at Dunbar Oh Sep
ltLlDtI ., lou. lHe reverse OF tie nltldl,
which is worn outward, represents the Old
House OF Commons, with Speaker Len
thall in the chair, and Cromwell address,
ing the House from the Treasury bench.
Swiit's CommeB, on Cromwell.
The bust helps one 10 understand the
dignity of bearing ascribed to the Protect
or by his contemporaries on great public
occasions. Nor were the comments of
his opponents on his personal appearance
always uncomplmentary. Swift writes OF
Mary Cromwell, she was handsome. and
like her father" The great installation
at Westminster, when Cromwell, who re-
fl sed TO be King, was nevertheless in
vested with the duties of kingship. was as
stately and solemn as a coronation. The
Speaker, in the name Of Parliament, de-
livered TO him a robe of purple velvet, a
Bible richly gilt and bOssed, a sword, and
a scepter of massive gold
1t was with more than the dignity OF a
Napoleon that he received the homage OF
Mazarin and Louis, Spain and Portugal.
of Pope and Princes OF Italy. He was
not unmindfuI of his lineage, and used
the coat and crest OF his family. as shown
In the historic mansion OF the Cromwells
az HinchinbTOOk to-day, sable a lion ram
pant. argent; crest a demi-liOn rampant,
argent. in his dexter iambe a gem ring,
or. The latter is said 10 have been grant
ed to Sir Richard Cromwell by Henry
VIII. when he gave the knight his dia-
mCnd ring in reward for splendid feats
performed in a tournament before the
King.
flsp Pal