Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-11

seem to be done in the right way, and are
very radical 1t is relief in the confusion
that reigns in the matter of the Campanle
that here at least all goes on well. The
news that the wall at the last end of the
Sala del Grand Consiglio is cracked like
broken eggshell: and that Tintorettos great
picture Paradise has to be taken down
for the wall to be almost rebuilt, tends TO
fill one with dismay, and still more SO TO
know that the PARADISE itself Is so dam
aged by the damp from the cracked ana
half rotting wall that it will have to be
repaired also. One trembles to think what
the restorer's hand may do to IT. VI the
necessity of the coming down OF both wall
and picture l have no doubt, for nave
seen with my own eyes the shocking con-
dition of the part of the wall below the
picture. The great wooden dais, with its
throne, seats and wooden wall lining, which
stands below Tintoretto's picture. when 1
was there last had been pulled bodily for
ward, being (Which 1 did not before know
set on invisible rollers, SO that 1t might be
run forward for cleaning purposes. l got
permission to go behind to examine the
wall.
I found great cracks, loosened bricks and
crumbing plaster; but I also found some
thing else quite unexpected-and that was
a large portion of very beautiful fresco
by Guarriento. a celebrated painter, born
at Verona, who lived and painted In 1900.
This fresco, unknown to the many, and al
most forgotten by those who did know OF
originally covered the whole wall, but the
upper part was destroyed in the great nre
and when the palace was restored TN
torettos paradise" was put In its place
The lower part then hidden behind the
wooden lining. alone remains. 1t Ia, of
course much damaged. but enough exists
to make one regret the rest One can trace
a number of angels in marble inches, with
very lovely faces, and with instruments in
their hands. The folds Of their garments
are peculiarly soft and diaphanous. The
angels seem circling round central throne,
but unfortunately there Is no trace OF the
figure that occupied 1t. The faces are mar
velously drawn, and have an expression OF
infinite sweetness. 1t Is pity that OF ne
cessity these frescos should again dsap-
pear from view when the great wooden dais
ia returned to its place. 1t would be we'll
II they could be removed, and be preserved
where they can be seen and admired.
paradise Restored"
Considering the ignorance and carelessness
shown among those in whose charge were
the buildings and the artistic inheritance
of Venice, one is rendered somewhat anx-
ious at hearing that Tintorettos Paradise"
is to be taken down and-horrible word-re-
stored. The only comfort is that the new
men who have replaced the bunglers seem
to be Of an entirely different stamp. Pror.
Zennaro has given long proof Of his judg-
ment and talent, and all done hitherto py
the architect Signor Moretti, since his ap-
pOintment as director or the regional ONCE
for the preservation of the monuments re-
assures one thoroughly. He. Signor On
caro- and Prof. Zennaro are now occupied
in covering the picture with what they call
a veil, which, adhering to 1t, will preserve
the painting from damage. This Is nearly
done, and tomorrow the process of remov-
ing the picture from the wall will begin.
big framework Of wood will be put round
and in front of it. rather smaller Ia few
inches) than the picture. and the edge of
the canvas beyond the frame will be de-
tached from the wall yard by yard. pulled
forward and nailed into the frame. The
whole thing will then, by means of ropes
and pulleys, be lowered to the floor, face
downward, and in this position Prof. Zen
marc will proceed to line 1t with new can
vas. We must hope that the restoration
will be limited to the canvas, and that the
temptation to restore the painting itself
may be resisted: such restorations gen.
orally restore away" what should be pre-
ciously kept.
A number Of quaint drawings and scrib-
blings on the frescoed wall were also found
names and dates and words-which SEEM
ed to indicate cells in which some mobiles
were imprisoned. All these are being care
fully photographed for future inquiry and
verfdcation.