The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-01
PICTURE OF DAVIS
SPLENDID PORTRAIT OF SENATOR
PRESENTED TO HIsToRIcAL
SOCIETY
WORK OF 1s-YEAR-0LD ARTIST
Remarkably LifeIfke Painting by
Albert di Giovanni Added to So $
ciety's Fine Collection Through
Woman's Generosity.

Most people think of the Minnesota
Historical society as collection OF BOOKS
and pamphlets. Few people realize the
scope of the work, how relics and por-
traits, records and documents that are
daily increasing in value are kept for
the use of the future historian.
One of the most important collections
in the society rooms is the valuable col
lection of portraits of the pioneers and
builders OF the state. There are now
displayed in the society rooms l50 large
portraits and twenty-five groups, COM
prising in all the portraits of over LOGO
Minnesotans, not to speak of the large
number of cabinet photos and card
sketches preserved in the fire-proof vault
Among the larger and finer oil portraits
are those of Governors Sibley, Ramsey,
Marshall, Bishop Gilbert Judge Flan-
drau, Henry M. Rice, Simeon Folsom,
Greenleaf Clark, Rev. e. D. Neill, the
premier historian of the state; Rev. LII
clan -Galtier, who built the first church
in st. Paul; Rev. Moses N. Adams, one
of the early missionaries to the Sioux;
Norman w. Kittson, John B. Sanborn,
w. B. Dean and many other notable
pioneers of Minnesota.
To this notable collection the society
has just received a most welcome and
valuable addition in the shape of a mag
nificent oil painting Of the late Senator
Cushman K. Davis. It is painted by a
very promising young artist, now in ST.
Paul, Albert di Giovanni. 1t came into
the possession of the society through
the kindness of Mrs. Frank O'Meara,
herself a very talented artist. who is a
student under young Giovanni and his
father, who have studio in the Ma
tional German-American Bank building.
1t is the finest painting owned by the
society. 1t is a perfect life likeness of
the late senator. He is represented sit
ting at his desk turning the pages Of a
book, while at the edge of the desk
lies a half-smoked cigar The pose is
characteristic. and the expression of the
face strong and true. 1t is work of
art. Two of the members of the society
who are best qualified to judge of a work
of art have declared it to be of great
merit and given it the warmest approval
and most sincere praise. The society Is
most fortunate in securing SO fine a por-
trait of the most distinguished citizen of
the state.
Artist Mere Boy.
Young Giovanni is but eighteen years
OF age, mere boy, but a true artist.
He came to this country two years ago
from Naples, where he received his first
training in his profession He and his
father have a studio in this city and
many pupils. The young man is very
ambitious to become eminent as a por-
trait painter, and those in a position to
judge of his work say that he is sure
to attain his ambition. Mrs. O'Meara
was struck with the fidelity of the por-
trait, and it was owing to her influence
and generosity that the society now has
this fine portrait. Mrs. O'Meara is her.
self an artist of enthusiasm and sue
cess and has done notable work in oil
and in black and white The portrait
VIII be given suitable hanging in the
society rooms, and will no doubt attract
a great deal Of attention.
AT the present time the society is
crowded for space. especially for room to
hang portraits in its possession. For this
reason many persons who desire and in
tend to present valuable contributions to
TINS collection have been waiting until
the new capitol was completed before do
haung their gifts. When the society gets
IN It's new quarters it will undo1btef5lv
secure very large number of yaiuab le
portraits of eminent Minnesotans, and
this will be one of the features of it's
exhibit In the new building Many gifts
along other lines are also being held for
the completion of the new capitol. Those
VINO have not seen this new portrait of
senator Davis should avail themselves
OF the opportunity of doing SO. 1t is
worthy of the distinguished subject and
Oh the aspiring artist whose work it is