Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17

Mr.. Brock is quite well known here, having
been Washington boy. He went to Paris
to study art. won the Prix de Rome, and
has recently accepted classes in the
leagues summer school.
The purchase by Mr.. Walters of Balti-
more Of the great art collection of Don
Marceilo Massaranti is not only the most
important event of this year, but of many
years, in the American art world, for if the
accounts of this collection be correct it
means the transfer from the old world to
the United States of a genuine treasury OF
art, such as none of our museums now pos
sess, and which it is yearly growing more
difficult to obtain. Though the report has
been well authenticated, it seems almost
too miraculous to be a fact for this collec-
ton is said to contain over 1900 works of
art-Greek marbles, early Roman and Re
Nuisance sculptures, carvings, terra cottas,
bronzes and porcelains besides loo cam
vases, over 200 of which are by the great
masters of the world. There are said to be
six by Bellini. several Titians, five Tintoret-
tos, one by Michael Angelo, Botticelli,
Philippe Lippo Lippi, number by Andrea
del Sarto, besides examples of the work OF
Ribera, Rembrandt, Van Dyke and many
others The lesser Italian school is spe-
cially well represented, and these paintings
in themselves should prove a revelation OF
delight to artists and connoisseurs. Con-
sidering the almost fabulous treasures this
collection contains, the purchase price
$1,OOO,000-was extremely reasonable, and
Mr.. Walters may be considered to have
made a good bargain from even purely
commercial standpoint.
The history of the collection and its pur-
chase is interesting. Don Marcello Massa-
ranti. who is now over ninety years of age.
holds an office in the Vatican. and it was
there, in some upper, poorly lighted rooms,
hat Dr t1oy, - l.,
gathering together this collection. All this
time he has been an unfia gging collector
and regularly attended all picture sales
usually being the first on hand and always
taxing advantage of opportunities to obtain
a purchasable work of art before it could
be Offered to the dealers Some years ago
he obtained from both the papal and gov
eminent authorities document permitting
him to export his collection at his desire
and since then it has been known that il
was for sale in its entirety. 1t is said that
the old man was specially DESTROYS that the
collection be kept together and bear his
name, and that this Mr.. Walters has prom
tsed shall be done. What disposition Mr..
Walters will make of the collection is not
yet known, but from the generous way in
which he has heretofore opened his gal
lery to the public, one is led to believe that
he will allow the outer world to also find
pleasure and profit in it.
While the organizers of the Academy at
Rome and the Institute at Paris are provid-
ing opportunities for Americans to study
art abroad. movement has been inaugu-
rated by Columbia University, New York
for the improvement of facilities for home
studies. 1t is the intention of this universe
ty to establish in an appropriate building
on Morning Side Heights, a school of fine
arts which shall be directly modelled after
the famous Ecole des Beaux Arts. The
first step toward this has been the setting
aside, as separate department of the sew
eral courses which will come under the juris-
diction of such a school. and 1t is hoped
that sufficient means will be available in
the near future to establish professorships
in sculpture, painting and the history of
art.
Miss Margaret Craig, whose work Is
known by those who visit the annual eX-
hibits of the Society of Washington Artists
is leaving the city for Punxsutawney, Pa,
where she will critcise a summer class
Miss Craig's work will be remembered by
the Nest of Eggs" and the Lady in
Black" both of which We're painted with
feeling and quality; also a study of roses
which was reproduced on a page of the
catalogue for that year Miss Craig will