Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-07
WELL WORTH THE TRIP
Art Treasures Seen in the
Walters Gallery.
NEW BUILDING ERECTED
Pictures That Must Be Regarded
With Genuine Interest.
DATA FOR HISTORICAL STUDY
Most Comprehensive Collection OF Its
Kind in This Country-Open-
ing Last Wednesday.

A story is told about a little boy who
was asked once by his mother what he
was going to be when he grew up.
| why, I'm going to be a rich man." he
replied
! Yes yes" his mother said. but what
then? Any one can be a rich man who
goes about 1t the right way, but after
you are a rich man what will you be?"
| The little boy did not answer the Ques-
ton directly, but he never forgot f. and
| long before he really became a rich man
he had solved his problem With the
| first money he earned. and had to spare,
he bought. 1t is said an engraving, and
as time went on. his purse growing deep
er, he purchased more and more choice
works of art And not only did he buy
| these because he wished to collect some
| thing. but because he cared for them and
not only did he enjoy them himself. but
share them with others. For many years.
during Lent, on certain days, he threw
| his collection. which was installed in his
| private residence. open to the public,
charging but a nominal fee for admis-
sion, which went to the poor fund of his
| city. Finally this rich man. who had be
| come famous as an art collector. died
| and left all of his treasures to his son.
who not only valued them. but was de-
I X
! He added to the collections lavishly
| built a great gallery in which TO house
| them appropriately. and finally. announc-
| ing his intention of eventually bequeath-
ing 1t TO the city. threw it open, pre-
cisely as had been his fathers wont. not
| to art critics and ConnoiSseurs and fellow
| collectors merely. but to the general pub
| ic-to all who really desired to go and
study and admire.
Opening Last Wednesday.
| The opening of the Walters gallery in
Baltimore Wednesday of this week was
| an event OF more than common mpor-
| lance. The late W. I. Walters, who. by
| the way. was at one time a trustee of the
Corcoran Gallery of Art was a collector
| of more than average astuteness. and
rarely beautiful were the paintings the
ceramics. bronzes and art objects which,
as opportunity afforded, he acquired
What he purchased was almost invariably
the best, and the connoisseur who visited
his galleries IN his home was sure of
finding there feast evincing thoughtful
selection. Nowhere in this country or in
fact, In the world, was q better repre-
sentation to be seen Of the French paint
erS Of the nineteenth century of the
works Of Barge, the great sculptor of
animals. And furthermore, Mr. Walters
collection of ceramics was famous for It's
size and worth. He 1t was who procured
for fabulous sum the 'peach-blow'
vase at the Stewart sale in New York
and 1t was but one of many such treas
ures. There were wonderful crystals In
his collection, ivory carvings. enamels.
Massarenti Collection Bought.
On this nucleus Mr.. Henry Walters has
1uilt. adding for a number OF years by
occasional purchase until 1901, when he |
bought en- bloc large collection assem- |
bied by Don Marcello Massarenti a Ro-
nan Catholic priest of enormous wealth. |
who occupied an important office in the
Vatican and is said to have wished his
treasures to come to America. This pur-
chase caused very considerable stir in the !
lrt world both in Europe and America |
II was reported that Mr. Walters had
oaid 81 100000 for the collection, but this |
ne himself has denied. Doubtless, how
ever, it cost g good round sum for it
included, besides. a thousand paintings |
sculpture carvings and antiques OF va
rious kinds. Naturally rumor was rife
and many desired to have a sight of the |
great collection.
But the public, connoisseurs and even |
Mr.. Walters friends had to bide their |
time to see it. In his own home there |
was no place to display it, and very soon |
at the rear OF his residence gallery for |
its reception. This he has done. and |
therein are now to be seen this and bis !
other collections.
The New Gallery.
The building which is of white stone |
stands on the corner of Washington place
and Center street. a few steps, as Il Were |
from the Washington monument 1t is |
;wo stories and d basement in height. in |
the renaissance style. very simple and |
rather impressive in external appearance |
Entering on the basement floor from
Washington place. the visitor finds him |
self in what might be termed foya. to |
the left Of which are the cloak and UNI |
hrella stalls. and from which ascends a |
marble stair to the main floor of the |
gallery. Arriving at the top of this short |
flight of steps. the first real impression OF |
the gallery is gained Here before the |
visitor lies the main court, atrium, |
wherein are placed some Of the most not !
able exhibits and around which the gal |
lery is built. Like the Corcoran gallery, |
this court is two stories in height lighted |
from the roof. and surrounded by logsia |
or balcony of fair width. Unlike the
Corcoran gallery, however, this logga is
upheld by slender coupled columns, from
which are sprung solid arches-a treat |
ment repeated on the second story. To |
the right and left of this court extend |
the exhibit galleries, and at the rear be |
yond a second screen of columns. ascends |
in the style of the renaissance, broad |
double flight of stairs. The columns. the |
stairs and the balustrades are of cream |
the walls of plaster and at present |
unlimited.
A Great Mine of Treasure.
Here is great mine of treasure, but |
of such varied quality and nature that ii |
is Impossible to take 1t in at one guip |
1t must be studied bit by bit. or 1t will |
hopelessly confuse and bewlder Like a |
little Louvre, this gallery invites not one |
but many pilgrimages.
In the galleries 10 the right of the main /
court are to be seen specimens of French |
furniture of the leading periods. The .
hrst in every particular has been made |
10 represent room of the time of Louis !
XIV, the next is in the style of Louis /
XVI, the third is of the period of Henry /
III and the fourth. perhaps the most IN |
teresting OF all, is of the French Gothic. /
Room Given to Barge
Opposite on the other side of the court +,
is a room given over completely to the |
works of Barge, collected by the present
owners father-bronzes and paintings in
amazing profusion.
Passing from the Barge room toward the