The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-13
Especial Dlspatch.)
LoNpoH. July ~.

LONDON. July IL
Is a picture n document? The lawyers
say no" but the strong Parliamentary
Committee OF both houses of Parliament
recently formed TO protect the interests Of
art and artists IN legislation say that so
far as forgery is concerned the law should
make no difference between a fraudulent
signature on picture and on a check.
When the new copyright act was in
course OF discussion the Imperial Arts
League. which numbers practically all
the leading artists of tho day among its
members. unsucccssfuliy endeavored to
have n clause to this effect inserted in the
bill. It being decided by the governments
legal authorities that the forgery OF a
work OF art could not be treated In the
same way "a the forgery OF n check or
other document
Now. however. the Parliamentary Com
mittee on Art which has Lord Plymouth
as It's chairman. has taken the opportunity
| afforded by the new forgery bill to re-
turn to the attack and Is strongly urging
that the Imperial Arts League should be
given an opportunity OF stating It's case
before the joint committee of both houses.
to which tho bill has been referred.
The case OF the artists Is that It Is an
anomaly that while the forger Of a check
for s25 is liable TO Imprisonment. the per
son who fraudulently signs a work Of art.
can only be punished. as the law stands.
by fine OF $50. and that only II the artist
whose name is forged has not been dead
for more than twenty years.
At Knoedlcr's Gallery. Old Bond stroet
| there are being exhibited n few important
pictures by old and modern masters. includ-
ms Rembrandt. Ncrmeer Goya. Reynolds.
| iainsoorough. Manet and DeEas or spe-
| H!al interest. on account of the rarity OF
he works Of the painter, is "A Lady OF
he Hampden Family" by Marcus Geer-
is 1t is full length portrait OF a lady In
/ orocade dress ana rose colored mantle.
~" r'ch!F embroidered border standing
"hoer a sort OF pergcla. with a formal
SaFoeh In the background. 1t is a very
| 'ihe piece Of work in character, general
design. CO and detail
ms picture Is thanked by two examines
vi ne work OF Jan Faber Won Kreurpacb
o''rhit or Johann Reys" and Portrait
OF Anna Cfstendert." These. about .
century earlier than the work OF Georar,s
VINO was contemporary with Ouoer E,iz,
oeth. are half length portraits WITH hat
sro"hds or mountainous landscape
ne hcmorandt Is life size study OF
i-"cre'!a o'abh!ng Herself" signed. md
'''eu iooi. 1t Is a fine work, tho rich
costume peing beautifully painted. and rho
head having the proper Character -, a.
SPAR. Nermeer is represented NV s,aI,
ana Charming study OF IA Young Girl
win Flute" in blue dress with Whit
tu'' reynolds by a Portrait of Ralnb
She!don' member OF Parliament for WI
ton. ls0i-23 in n red coat; Gainshorour,
by a Portrait Of William Ha,rv MI,
Clarence (afterward King William IVY"
as ireSh colored young man in naval uni.
FORM. and Goya by portraits Of Genera,
N'coias Guye and Victor Guye." the last
as little boy. page TO Joseph Bonaparte
King OF Spain. The best OF the modern
pictures Is small but superb exaupl. ot
Daumier. Les Buveurs." a study OF two
men drinking at table outside an inn. M
late evening
AT the Marlborough Gallery. Duke street.
st. James, there Is an exhibition OF old
Spanish paintings by. or attributed to
such masters as Velasquez, Ribera. Ell
Greco and Goya- The Velasquez is a study
OF three figures. young man and an old
and young woman. entitled The Fortune
Teller. 1t is put down 10 the Seville
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