New-York tribune., 1902-05-08
MANY SEE THE "MURILIO,
SHEEDY PUZZLED BY VARIETY OF An
VICE, BUT SAYS HE WILL SELL.
THE PAINTING HIMSELF

Patrick F. Sheedy regrets that he has zas,s
so much time that he might have devoted 70 ~
study of art. He sits in his room in the st,,rtsv
House, with large picture prepped I'D aeafrs.
chair by the window, fun Of wonder ana r.gra,
yesterday art critics came and art dealers cams
and inspected the picture.
But, said Patrick. when they had all go,
what do they all amount to- No two OF tbs-
think alike. 1 believe all an art critics roo5 g
is TO look wise and mystify them as know tba
don't know nothing about the subject"
Mr. Sheedy's picture is said to be a Muriuo 7.
came to him last Wednesday from London a pres
ent from Adam Worth. the noted fence WIZ
stole the CiainsbOrough portrait of the Duchess 80
Devonshire from the Agnew art rooms in London
in 1876 1t Sheedy who arranged for the "a
turn of that picture not long and In gratituds
TO Sheedy Worth promised him this alleged Nlurillo
This picture" said Sheedy. pointing to his new
treasure, had been in Worth's possession thirty
one years. He told before he went back 70
England after we had returned the Ciainsborougn
that it was cut out of a canvas in a Mexican con-
vent and sent to him. but that he had never been
able 10 dispose of it. and 1 should have it as A
reward. l never expected to see it, for when he
died most of his stuff pinched by his pals to
keep IL away from the police; but last Wednesday
it turned up the square wrapped in a canvas
bag. IN the very frame Worth had kept it in"
do you think it's NIurillO?'' some one asked.
Think said Sheedy- Think? 1 know it is
Don't it look old enough 10 be by an old masters
don't know when Murillo lived. but it was good
while ago, wasn't it? Besides. Worth said it was a
Nurtllo and he knew about such things He said
II was carried out of Spain TO Mexico and was a
MuT1llo sure. as IL was stolen and he had it.
The picture. which. critics say, does need tn
nave been part OF a larger canvas from its COM
position Is evidently of considerable age and much
solled II represents female figure. half reclining
with face uPtuTned in sorrow, On one wrist are
chains, and with the free hand the figure holds a
BIT OF yelling over her bare breasts. There are a
skull and what appears TO be loaf Of bread in the
foreground The lips which are parted. stiH keep
a rich crimson coloTing.
"Look at that face" said Sheedy. Amt that a
/ know can see an inch into that mouth When 7
get it cleaned up the teeth will show. III bet a
tenner''
Here he paused ruefuIly. Then he went on "Bu+
/ don't know where to get il cleaned. Every one
tells different place, and tells me all the Other
places will spoil it, I've decided about not to have
II cleaned but to sell il Just il stands. Then IN
be on the square One dealer came up TO-DAY
and told me he'd put a frame. have il
cleaned up and put il on exhibition in his store
guaranteeing 10 get $4,000 for it, all for moth
ing Young man. saws l. Pat wears a No 4
hat, too. You think I think you're doin' me A
favor; but don't know you're advertising your
store on me% Then l tips him the wink No sir
III sell the picture myself. the first man that
gives me fair offer"
Sheedy looked again his picture in silence
Don't IL strike you that face looks like a Mag
dalen?" he finally exclaimed Amt IL a beautTE
Sheedy had so many callers yesterday TO see the
picture that he is thinking OF charging an ad-
mission fee.