Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-14
OPENS FINE ART COLLECTION
city of Paris Exhibits a vaIuAble
Legacy from an Eccentric
Frenchman.

Copyright, 1902, by Press Publishing Coz
PARIS, Dec. 13-(New York World Ca
blegram-Special Telegram.)-The event OF
the week in Paris art circles was the throw
ing open to the public OF the Dutuit col
lection in the petit parlors on the Champs
Elysee. President Loubet delivered the
address of dedication. The building, one
of the permanent souvenirs Of the latest
Paris exposition, is now the property of
the city of Paris and has been converted
into a permanent art museum.
The splendid treasures bequeathed by the
eccentric August Dutuit were only left to
France on condition that they should be
classified, catalogued and placed on public
view within six months after the donors
death. The municipal officials are not ac-
customed to considerations OF this kind,
but the bequest was too valuable to lose,
so instead OF taking two years the authori-
ties for once showed alacrity and complied
with the terms of Dutuits will. Dutuit
spent his long life and a vast fortune in
making the collection. He was the last Of
an extremely rich family, but lived miser-
ably and dressed shabbily. Indeed, 1t is
said that on account of his beggarly looks
he was able to buy the rarest articles far
cheaper than a we'll dressed connolsseur
could have done. He was accounted the
best judge in his day of the worth OF
objects of art. It is asserted that he could
unerringly detect a masterpiece from a
counterfeit and that as a snapper-up OF
unconsidered trifes, which turned out to
be exceedingly valuable, II not priceless, he
had no equal.
The collection has been oficially estimated
to be worth S2.OOO,OOO. but that is a COM
paratively small figure which experts put
-. 49, f.II It-kN NI,v
| as possible on the Paris taxpayers.
AS IL stands, the collection is the result
OF more than sixty years securing Of
France, Italy, Holland and Egypt by two
brothers and a maiden sister. The elder
brother, Eugene, died eighteen years ago,
| leaving to the others a choice lot of china,
pottery, enamels, books and paintings. Au-
! gust devoted himself mainly to antiques,
coins, medals and bronzes There are sixty
paintings of great value, 10000 engravings,
for one Of which Dutuit paid $1,000, and
more than 1000 rare books, including some
Of the finest specimens OF bookbnding to
be found anywhere. In a case by itself is
the most beautiful book in the world, 1.-THE
History OF Alexander the Great" a fifteenth
century vellum manuscript, with 204 illus
trations. Dutuit bought It for $4,000 and
refused twice that amount later.
Dutuit left to the city Of Marseilles all
his real estate in that city, with the ac-
cumulated income, which has been un-
touched for years. Much surprise has been
expressed that he left nothing to his rela-
tives. In his will he reproaches his heirs
at-law with selfshness and ingratitude.
saying:
Those who may complain that they are
unjustly treated by this will do not deserve
to be listened to-"
There are passages clearly showing that
he felt In conscience bound for some mystic
rious reason to leave the bulk of his inn
| mense fortune to Paris.
The will requires the city OF Paris to
keep the graves OF the Dutuit family in
Pere Lechaise cemetery in good order for
ever. Had Paris failed to accept all the
conditions the collection would have re-
verted to the city of Rome.