The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1913-02-14
HISTORICAL GIFTS
ARE FALLING APART
Famous Canvases in Capitol
Are Being Ruined-ouiCk
Action Very Necessary.

Time and the elements are working
havoc with the valuable collection of
old paintings which now adorn the
| legislature rooms and halls Of the ter.
ritorial Capitol. Unless arrangements
are made by the incoming legislature to
provide for the preservation of tho heir
looms of the old monarchy these treas.
ures of inestimabIe value will soon be
valueless, according to A. C. Wheeler,
assistant superintendent of the depart
ment of public works, who is now di-
| recting the renovation work in progress
in the building
Though he has known that the paint
ings need attention, not until yester.
! day did he discover that several of the
oldest and most valuable of the collec-
ton have practically fallen to pieces.
The painting of Marshal Butcher,
which hangs on the Waikiki wall in the
corridor on the third floor of the build.
ing, is probably in the worst condition.
This painting is the work of Gibauer
and was presented by the Prussian gov.
eminent to Kamehameha III. in 1881.
The painting has been pronounced
masterpiece by artists and connoisseurs
who have examined it. For years this
valuable canvas has not received any
attention. The seal covering the back
of the frame was destroyed long ago
and there is no protection on the front
Of the picture.
1t is feared that parasites have found
their way into the canvas and have
carried on work of destruction which
cannot be repaired. The pigment is ra.
pidly crumbling and it will not be long
before the likeness of the Prussian sol.
der is entirely obliterated. A portion
of the hair is already gone, leaving
bare spot of canvas exposed. A large
portion of the painting on the right
shoulder long since fell to the floor and
was swept away in the dust. Several
bare places also appear on the uniform
directly beneath the sword hilt and
hands of the figure. In addition, there
is scarcely an inch of the entire paint
ing but shows signs Of cracking.
Fortunately the features as yet are
not damaged, but prompt work is neces.
sary, says Wheeler, to save even part
of this art and historical treasure.
The same condition exists with the
painting of Sir Admiral Thomas, which
graces the wall n few feet distant. This
painting was presented to the mon
archy a few years after the head of
the English naval forces had lowered
the British flag in Honolulu and restor.
ed flag and freedom to the people of
Hawaii. Sir Admiral Thomas was re-.
vered by the Hawaiians and this paint
ing was among the most treasured by
,. former Queen Liliuokalani
Another which is showing the
ravages of time, the elements and bugs
is that of Kamehameha ", which
hangs on the Eva hall near the stair
landing on the third floor. Previous
efforts have been made to preserve
, this but the pigment is cracked in a
thousand places and it is believed the
canvas is rotting.
} The two large paintings Of King
Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani,
! which are hung in Governor Frear IS
office, are probably the best preserved
of the entire collection The others,
several of them gifts from European
rulers are in the assembly chamber.
Many of these are also in poor condi.
ton and should receive prompt atten.
ton, according to Wheeler.
James A, Wilder, the we'll known
Honolulu artist, was invited to exam
iHc tue paintings lahL week with n
view of having him suggest remedy
for their preservation. He readily dis.
covered the evidence of decay, but
expressed the hope that practically the
entire collection can be preserved. This,
however, depends upon the quality Of
canvas used. If this proves of the
same material which has withstood the
} tests of time in many of the noted
: masterpieces no trouble is anticipated.
Wilder gave it as his opinion that
the cracking of the pigment in several
of the paintings is due in great part
to faulty framing. This condition, he
says may be remedied by having the
paintings properly reframed by an ex-
Epert to guard against shrinkage and
uneven strain on the canvas.
Assistant Superintendent Wheeler
hoped to arrange to provide for the
repair of the paintings in the appro.
priation for repairs of the capitol.
This, however, was found to be Illegal
by Auditor j. II. Fisher. The pic
lures, though looked upon as fixtures
could not be classified as portion of
the building. 1t is now believed that
the members of the legislature viii see
the necessity for having the pictures
properly cared for and suitable APP
preparation for the work will be made
/ --s-4.s.-
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