The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-24
FINEST PRIVATE ART GALLERY
 IN SOUTH IS IN BIRMINGHAM w
 

and paintings by masters of modern Ger many.
 l One-a Russan-represents two Cos sacks tired after having ridden for many miles. They rest The one sleeps with the horses The other, on guard, stands on the brow of hillock, gazing far out into space. He is not anticipating the coming of an enemy. For no fear is shown. But he stands there on duty faithful to duty-and should enemy come. there is no question but that the soldier would not be found unprepared. As one gazes he acquires sympathy for these Cossacks. He desires to follow them further than the painting. the naked painting, will permit. He desires to stand watching until the hour comes when the man on duty may abandon his post arouse his friend, and sleep, himself And the man who studies the scene, would finger still longer-until the coming of the hour. when the cavalrymen refreshed, mount their horses, and gallop of in furtheranc nee of their peculiar mission
 This painting is not on canvas but on wood. It Is one of the most charming of the Donnelly collection.
 
 A painting" said MT Donnellv. shows to better advantage uncovered But there IS so much sulphur in our atmosphere. that 1t is necessary for the preservation
 
 Glass covering reflects this or that feature ana opscures others. And it happened that the man who loves work of this nature Wno Knows 1t and can appreciate IS forced to bend or twist until he has acquired focus from which he can see ana enjoy the presentation as a whole with every feature emphasized inst a the painter intended
 A layman. however, would be surprised 10 know that the man who possesses fine pdinllngs IS not compelled to handle them as II they were creations which might evaporate, or which might suffer irrepara- pie injury by careless touch For in- stance you can wash a painting with Soap and water. Of course the soap must be neutral-without ingredient of an acid or alkili nature. Ivory soap will do the "ork. By this simple process all dust whlch despite the glass covering and the protection placed in the rear might be removed without a particle of damage And when painting grows dull, you can Varnish 1t until all the strong points re- turn. You simply take a brush and a can of varnish and by means of the one spread the other over the painting. The erect Is all that could be desired Paint inss require such treatment at regular periods.
 While in Venice 10 years ago. saw a painting removed from a wall and yut on Se'iiNas IHe WOrk nad been done lOn the piastering. It was a delicate operation. of course, and one which required the talent or artists. But the task was accomplished and an old masters conception which would have passed with the building, pre- served ,f fie
 fp's Is simply another illustration of u'S permanent nature, the lasting proper ties Of fine work of art
 MT. DOnne1ly e lover aF But ne does not pose as a connoisseur. lie does not claim that his gallery is mora valuable than any other mans. As A matter of fact, while he talks interestingly rom vast store of information. he does not thrust his ideas, his opinion or his Knowledge on anyone.
 1t was the result of his chara cteristic ret1cence that few men other than his closest friends knew of his collection of me paintings. But now many people will go to see for themselves For the aver age man, woman and child Is fond of Deing transplanted-removed in a trice rom the sordidness of the world to realm of rarefied atmosphere where there IS poetry and music and color and the wine of life