Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-17
RARE OLD ENGRAv|NGS
On Exhibition at the Library of
Congress.
REMARKABLE COLLECTION
Italian, German and Dutch Artists
Represented.
FIFTEENTH CENTURY PRINTS
Description of Some of the Most Not
able Examples in the Exhibit
Origin of the Art.
FIFTEENTH CENTURY PRINTS

\ remarkable collection of early Italian,
German and Dutch engravings is now on
exhibition in the southwest pavilion OF the
Library of Congress. 1t is a portion of a
larger collection numbering between coo
and 100 prints which has been gotten to-
gether, by an eminent American collector
and placed recently in the custody of the
division of prints. Not only are the en-
cravings set forth exceedingly rare, but
also extremely valuable, for they are of a
type seldom found outside of museums and
even then infrequently in such perfect con-
dition. Fifteenth century prints are reck-
oned well-nigh unobtainable, as well as
priceless today, and it is in these that this
collection Is especially rich The very
earliest examples of the art are shown and
with them some of its most mastery at
tainments.
Vasari says that the world is indebted for
the important invention Of engraving TO the
good fortune and talents of Maso, or
Tomasso Finiguerra, an eminent Florentine
goldsmith who lived between 400 and 14G0,
and designed in chiaroscmo, modelled in
basso-relevo and excelled in works of
niello." Now, the last. "niello," was lit
orally the art of ornamenting metal by en-
craving and blocking in, and one day it
must have occurred to Finiguerra, or some
one else, that a good way to discover how
his work was progressing was to take an
impression from 1t on paper. Up to that
time engraving had only been used as a
direct medium. as a device for the orna-
mentation and enrichment of precious ar
tiCles. Gradually, however, the charm of
the experimental impression became recog-
nized and finally it was diverted from its
original purpose into mere method of re-
production The engraving itself grew
eventually TO be simply the means to an end.
Notable Tiny Silver Plate.
There is tiny silver plate in this collec-
ton and an impression from IL which dates
back to about the time that Maso Ffni-
guerra made his first experiments. and, what
is even more notable, a small print probably
made by the inventor himself. This pic
lures the Alteration of the Magi,' and is
a wonderful composition. No other artist,
Il IS said was ever able TO execute in so
small a space such a ponderous nlber OF
persons. and from this little print one might
believe the statement true. II Is not five
by seven inches in dimensions and yet It
represents twenty-five or thirty persons,
several caInels horses. cows. a landscape
and the place of the Nativity, and further
more it is not confused. Each object and
figure is carefully drawn and well modelled.
The greatest skill is manifested in the work
manship; the most serious art in the char
acter of the production. 1t suggests some
OF Ghiriandajo's paintings, but 1t antedates
even these. There IS Baptism of Christ"
which is possibly by Maso Finiguerra and
Scenes from the Life of the Virgin the
engraver of which Is unknown. The latter
is an exceedingly elaborate device showing
strongly an ornamental inclination.
With these, and of relevent interest are a
number OF prints of patterns used by gold
smiths as designs for their workmen. En-
cravings made In dotted lines and printed
on comparatively thin paper which In some.
instances were probably pasted down upon
the object to be decorated. Italy has al
ways dispensed ornamentation with a lavish
hand but so great has been its intrinsic
worth that her prodigality has been for
given. The designs for chalices, tankards
and the like which are here on view are
marvelouSly ornate and yet not over
weighed They are elaborate, but gen