Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-18

" vi itt ~ outcON S DelQR lOld ABOUT the
ancient panel painting by Correggio of
which he has just become possessed
foreign resident in the interior sent word
- Sheedy that Raisuli held an ancient
European painting on wood which the
brigand chief believed to possess some in
credible value. So to Morocco from Nice
came the American discOyerer of the Gains
borough to ascertain the truth about the
new picture.
x
No one needs 10 be reminded. Of course,
that 1t was the notorious Raisuli who ven
tured to capture Mr. Perdicaris and other
foreigners on the outskirts Of Tangier and
to hold them TO ransom. Instead of being
swept away when once his preposterous
terms had been granted Raisuli was per-
force recognized governor up 10 the
very walls of Tangier, or over the district
he had successfully raided, and there this
interesting personality, erstwhile cattle
litter and hghwayman, foster brother ana
partner of a previous governor of Tangier.
rules supreme and snaps his fingers at
treaty rights of foreigners. He was open to
deal, however, with the individual "Nazl-
rene" who would pay for the board ne had
inherited from his grandfather. AbdaIah,
along with Il great idea as to its value.
And at last the two came to terms-ai-
though the price finally paid to Raisulf by
Sheedy has been kept a secret-aud the
American took the ancient Correggio away
with him after having twice packed up and
at the extravagant terms upon which the
brigand insisted
Undoubtedly the Correggio came to Mo-
rocco at least a century ago, and probably
much earlier than that as part of pirate
plumber from Spain or from some merchant
vessel carrying IT through the straits and
II is not by any means the first objet dart
to have been recovered in Morocco, where
many excellent specimens of medieval
craft found their way in the days Of the
Saln rovers.
Before consenting to treat at all. SheeGy
had the accompanying photograph of the
picture taken, and this alone suffices to
show it's value. The subject is the Infant
Christ in the Virgin Mothers arms, placing
a marriage ring on the finger of St Cath
crime as a reward for having refused many
noble suitors in order that she might re-
main devoted to her Master. The central
portion Will be seen TO be In perfect preser-
walton, the flesh tints being stil vivid, but
the edges are badly worn and cracked. and
the half-inch thick panel. about thirty
inches by twenty-five. on which IT is paint
ed. is much bent, and will require long and
careful soaking -perhaps for months-to re-
store it to the fiat without injurfng the pic
ture. 1t is now in Paris for this purpose.
Although IT has not yet been decided
finally, this is probably one of the paintings
made by Correggio after the great Italian
master of the fourteenth century removed
from Parma to his native town-from which
ne taxes MS ndI0e-lH lsbou II - ilOii
period that his finest works are dated,
among them the Jupiter and Antiope" OF
the Louvre, THE Education OF Cupid" OF
the National Gallery. London, and the
'Leda'' of the Berlin Museum 1t is fact,
however that many of the more serious
works of Correggfo who died in his fortieth
year. were painted when he had barely at
tained his ma jority. perhaps the most strik-
ing example being his altar piece for the
Franciscan convent, which was executed
early In 1914.
Meanwhile the story of this masterpiece
viii set every one thinking OF Sheedy's
connection with the affair OF the stolen
Gainsborough, and as the facts In that re-
markable case have become more or less
nebuIous in the public mind, II may be
worth while to recall them briefly.
Picture lovers will remember that the
celebrated painting of the Duchess OF Dew
onshire was bought by Messrs. Agnews at
Christie's auction rooms in Pail Mall Lon
don. In 1879. The painting had attracted .