The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-02-11

purpose invaluable to the student of
today.
The church was very rich in the
seventeenth century and amply able
to send works Of art Of great value to
Mexico and other colonies. It was
also the period when art flourished
at its best in Spain-when Nnurillo
lived and Seville was a great art
center.
Pictures Of the Indians. =.
The missionary priests in Mexico
soon discovered that the Indians
were not able to comprehend the
spirit Of the Christian religion and
that they must substitute pictures
ana images of the Christ for the hea-
then gods and idols they were trying
to supplant. Churches, converts and
chapels were multiplied rapidly af-
ter the conquest and it became a
plous duty, often emphasized by an
order of Cortez, to bring paintings
and statutes Of saints to the New
World.
The Mexican School of Art, now
called the San Carlos academy. was
established by the royal ord ar of
Charles II Of Spain in 177S and has
survived throughout many vicissitud
es. 1t contains fine collection of
paintings of the old Mexican school
and number of originals from E,,-
ropean painters. Among the latter
there is est Sebastian" by Van
Dyke; "The Seven Virtues,' by Da
Vinci; "The Fall Of Man," by Mich
cal Angelo; est. Catherine" by
Guido; portrait Of Murillo, by Val
asquez; "Burial of Chirst.' by Ru-
bens (unfinished); est. John, the
Baptist" by Hngrcs: "John of the
l'ord.' by Murillo ;"Olympic Plays"
by Nernet, and many fine copies. Of
the modern school there are many
merit"rions Mexican pain';"sc i.:.:>.
tratcd Of important hiSl orical scenes.
In the cathedral Of Mexico CITY
there is Holy Family Of Mur;llo
E"N" IN the choir conctrnin" whose
authenticity there seems to be no
question. The mother and child arc
about three-quarter size and the r:,-
vailing color is a luminous cream,
with touches of gold and brown.
In the dark sacristy the visitor is
shown three Raphcals under glass;
and on the walls two immense hut
atrociouSly mutilated pictures attri-
buted to Valasquez.
Titan in Village.
One Of the most interesting stories
always current in Mexico art circles
concerns the famous Titan at the
village Of Tzintzuntzan. Many at
t"mpts have been made to purchase
this picture, but all have been un-
successful. The cathedral Of Mcxi-
co would give Il large sum for it. and
so, Of course, would tIe San Carlos
Academy, but the priests of the de-
pletcd church where il hangs in a
poorly lighted room guard it Jealous
~. Moreover, it is supposed that
their lives would not be safe from the
wrath Of the Indian worshippers
should they permit the painting to
disappear.
The painting" is sixie:n feet loar
ny seven high and represents he ell
tcm5iag Of Christ In the upper left
hand corner is the characterised, bit
OF indian sky and landscape. There
IS nat proof that Titan Hai1ted this
picture except its own beauty and
rare excellence, and the tradition
which has never wavered in the 800
Years and more that t has hun" in
the old church at Tzintzuntzan. The
room that hold$ it is about 30 by 20
feet. and has but one outsid, opel
ing an ungabled window. protectc l
by a triple iron "aitin: on the ont
side and double wooden shutters on
the INSIDE. Every time there are
opened the fresh air has inyress to
the room, and this fact NAV have