The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-07-21

many years. but Mir Carter was as- founded to find on close inspection sev- eral genuine works by old masters.
 VALUE OF FIND DISCOVERED. D.
 After careful investigation it was determined that at least fifteen of the ninety-seven canvases should be speed- fly cleaned or restored at an expense 70 the Butler estate of many hundreds of dollars. It was during this inyestiga-. tion that the true character of the art find became known. and light was thrown upon the care and skill with which Colonel Clark had followed his hobby. Notwithstanding the fact that the veteran collector had catalogued his treasures. he left. so far as known, no record of their previous owners, nor iany history which would show their real value to the world of art.
 MT. Carter was about leaving the Ninth street house when his attention was accidentally attracted to a dust covered portrait hanging not only in a poorly lighted room. but actually be- hind door. The expert restorer care fully rubbed the canvas. and as he did so became manifestly excited Sudden ly he said:
 Why, this is a genuine Vandyke, one of his finest works and nos less highly esteemed than some by his master, Rubens.''
 A TOUCHING STORY.
 It was then the turn of Colonel Clark's heirs-at-law to be surprised. This particular painting was no par- ticular favorite in the household A touching story of its purchase was learned. It appears that at a time when Colonel Clark was in the deepest distress for money he spent several hours in diligent search through old art stores for work of value of which he was well aware He found it. It was this very Vandyke portrait, painted when the artist was at his best, and when he lived in Flanders, between 1926 and 1881. The old devotee carried to his grave the local history of this painting, but it is believed on the best authority that it once adorned the walls of foreign embassy in Washington. When Colonel Clark found 1t he bought it for the modest sum of five dollars, which represented his entire means on the day of the purchase. It is told that he proudly rode home with his treasure in an express wagon, and was mildly chided by one of the household for what was regarded as recklc-s extrav- lagance. The old man said nothing, but I placed the choice Vandyke in the ob- scure corner where Carter, the expert, \ found 1t long afterward
 l WORKS OF DUTCH MASTERS.
 Among those which found the most favor from a commercial viewpoint were several representing the best work of the Dutch school of art. a line which had been consistently followed by Colo mel Clark for many years. Some that most likely will find their way Into the best of private or public collections may be mentioned here. For instance, I "A Stiff Breeze, premier production of William Vandervelde, the younger, who was among the greatest of marine painters. This was painted in the sew enteenth century, while the celebrated iartist lived in London.
 Another highly prized work Is a ma rine view by Jules Noel The brilliant and prolific Teniers, the younger, is Represented by Landscape with Cat tle,' that shows in coloring, sketching, animatdion and grouping the presence I Q the rich, fine and imaginative genius which warrants the value placed upon lTeniers' productions Tine Dutch school is further represented by the siege of Augsburg by Philip Rugen- ldas. "The Alteration of the Magi,s on copper, by Adam Eizheinler, which dates back to the sixteenth century, is one of the gems of the collection. Ex- perts Kirby and Carter spent much time in studying a canvas representing
 tThe Annunciation,' 2 and which would we'll pass for genuine Rembrandt, but MT. Garter decided that it is the work of Gerard Douw, one of the leading pu- pills of the great master. The Rem brandt cult is also represented by an other "Annunciation' by Vanden Beck l nout
 THREE FREED PORTRAITS. The highly-prized portraits are those lof the Princess of Orange, the first Duchess of Marlboro and Prince Eu- gene, all by the famous Sir Godfrey Kneiler, who was knighted by William iIII in 1892 and made baronet by IGeorge in 115. Sir Godfrey succeeded lsir Peter Lely as court painter to Charles II. Other prizes which are be- ting restored by Expert Garter are The lProdigal Son. panel five feet long, representing a series of scenes in the parable; The Thunderstorm, cele- brated marine by Wheatley; a''View of lGenoa, ' by Francisco Guaidi (eigh- Iteenth century) The Astronomer" attributed to c. Pauditz; The Adora ltion of the Shepherds on copper, said by MT. Carter to be one of the best pro- Iductions of Frandieu, and an 'Ecce Homo, which was purchased by Colo incl Clark at the sale of the collection Iof Senator Charles Summer, of Massa- lchusetts, and the authorship of which is not established.