The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-13

he showed in his other pursuits. He
was constantly trying to advance art
in Ireland In one direction or another.
He found a bond between such rival
communities as Belfast and Dublin in
his enthusiasm for art; in the north
ern city and in the southern he got up
winter exhibitions OF the Royal Hi
bernian Academy-the analogue Of the
Royal Academy In Ireland. and he
was equally ardent in attracting at
tention to Irish art BY exhibiting Irish
paintings in London.
These services to Ireland were rec
ognized by all parties. and Irish bodies
did him honor a~bundantly. lie was
made "A freeman OF the city of Dublin;
then he became governor Of the Ma
tional Gallery, and finally he was one
Of the eminent chosen to form the Sem
ate Of ,he new National University
that institution which Mr.. Birrell Gre
ated, and which ended a long n tenn
pestuous controversy with regard TO
the difficulties OF Catholics obtaining
university education in Ireland. II
was a proof too Of his broadminded-
ness that, though a Protestant and the
SDIl VI a tIottbtdut NItikNiiohs ht
should be chosen as n OF the direc-
tors Of so essentially a Catholic In
stitution.
The Fogg Art Museum OF Harvard
University has acquired certain parts
Of a famous altar piece by Spinello
Aretino, the central part Of which has
been In the museum for many years.
The parts just acquired we're formerly
In the collection OF NJ. Ramboux at
Cologne. and later in the collection of
Thomas Walter jackson of Worcester
College. oxford. The Fogg Museum
purchased them al the recent sale OF
this latter collection. other parts are
now at Siena and Budapest.
Vassari describes this altar piece as
follows: Dor Jacopo d'Arezzo was
made general " the Confraternity OF
Monte Olivetr. which appointment he
received years after he had caused
Spinello 20 execute the different paints
in Florence and Arezzo. And as Don
Jacopo. after the Of his pred
ecessors. lived for the most part al
Monte Oliveto al Chiusuri. the
principal seat OF the order. and the
most importar. monastery within the
territory CO SienE, he conceived the
wish to have a very beautiful picture
executed for hat place: wherefore,
having sem for Spinello. by whom
Don Jacopo had formerly found tina,
he was admirably served. the general
caused him to paint a picture in
distemper for the principal chapel, and
In this the master depicted an i'm
mense number of figures Of middle
size very Judiciously executed and or
a ground OF gold. The picture was
surrounded by a rich ornament or
framework in mezzorilievo, carved In
Wood by the Forentine Simone Cini
n further adorned with mouldings
In stucco. tempered with a rather stifY
glue. and treated in such a manner
that the whole succeeded perfectly
n was very beautiful. 1t was az
terward gilt all over with gold by
Gabrielle Saracini. and this same
Gabriel inscribed the three ame OF
the artists at the foot Of the picture ir
the following manner
"Simone Clint Florentino fece Pinta.
Clio. Gabrielle Saracini Ia mosse d'ro
- Spinello dl Luca d'Arezzo la dipinse
panno 1885"
The picture disappeared from the
Convent Of Monte oliveto and for
some time No one knew where il was
The large central panel, representing
the Madonna and Child and Angels