The sun., 1918-11-20
NEW FILIPPO LTPPI
FOR METROPOLITAN
Painting by Old Master Was
Found in Cellar of Bos-
ton Museum.
DIR. SIREN vOUCHEs FOR 1T
Picture Represents A Saints,
One Being Almost 0bliter-
ated-0ther AccessiOns.

A painting by Fra F1iippo Lippi. q
rare Japanese figure in wood and col
lection of five impressions Of Japanese
prints were among the recent nccessions
that were shown to the public yesterday
for the first time at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art
The Fra Filippo Lippi. like many
other examples by tho old masters that
come to this country. Is OF uncertain
history, only the recent phases OF which
can be certified to with any confidence.
1t represents four saints and 10 evidently
the wing Of large but as yet un-
Identified altar. 1t IL in poor state OF
preservation, the paint having blistered
and peeled of to such an extent that
one OF the saints has almost been OBJ
liberated.
Nevertheless the panel as q whole is
beautifully decorative and the three
saints that remain intact have been
painted with such beauty OF line and
such authority OF characterization that
the work. whether by Filippo Lippi or
by another, will give great pleasure. II
Is real acquisition TO the museum.
Discovered In n Cellar.
The attribution to Fra Filippo Lppi
was made by DR.. Oswald Siren. He II
was who discovered II in the cellar OF
the Boston Museum. where II had been
deposited by its owner In 1915. He
unhesitatingly pronounced 1t a Filippo
Lippi. and Mr.. Burroughs. curator OF
paintings at the Metropolitan Museum,
takes no exception to the verdict.
Dr. Siren relates the picture to Fra
Filippo's most mature period. calling at
tention TO the mastery drawing In the
draperies and the deep understanding
OF human nature in the faces, which,
as usual with Fra Filippo. are portrait
like in character.
The new Japanese color prints are
part OF collection that was purchased
last summer from a Japanese authority,
comprising landscapes by Hiroshige and
portraits of celebrated actors by
Shunsho and his school. They are ex-
ceptionally beautiful prints and are
most sympathetically shown.
In regard to them DIR. Bosch Reitz,
curator Of Far Eastern art, said that
there were two divisions among Japa-
nese print lovers. those who cared only
for time worn. time toned prints and
those who priced only Immaculate i'm
pressions with the colors unchanged.
The museum authorities, he said, felt
that II was wiser plan to steer a
course midway between these extremes
and that the museum was lucky to pos
sess In the new collection so many prints
that were not only excellent from the
process point of view. but were also val
liable for the qualities OF nature and
poetry they disclosed.
Hiroshixe Landscapes.
The HIroshige landscapes are scenes
along the famous road from Toxic to
Kyoto. done with all his famous vigor
and clarity of touch. Many OF them are
now extremely rare, so that the collection
VIII have an especial appeal TO the
amateurs. The portraits OF actors by
Shunsho and his pupils are shown in
the room Of recent accessions. on the
main floor of the museum. and are de-
lightful. both in design and color
In this room is also shown the wooden
figure or the Japanese Jiso a Buddhistic
divinity who was prominently the helper
of children, of women and OF travel
lers. The figure has been simply carved
and has a noble bearing. 1t dates from
the period OF llS6-l3S3. The carving
Ia held in special admiration BY the
Japanese, so Or. Reitz says. because the
figure is portrayed as wearing UNI
usual shoes. but that is a merit that
only the most experienced students will
app relate.
In the basement gallery OF the mu-
scum highly entertaining and instruc-
tive exhibition is given OF the art work
made by Paris school children durlng
war time. 1t will appeal TO the layman
and professional alike. The color
throughout all the designs Is excellent
and Cacial and the drawing is most Spon-
| taneous Needless TO say, the patriotic
note has been strongly sounded by These
youngsters and the emblems OF war and
OF EranCa eNeI-I.yyhnre In n,idannn