Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-26
FAMOUS. PAINTINGS
SMUGGLED INTO us.
Noted Works Of Art Sent Here
by Impoverished Mobiles to
! Cheat Bolshevists
FARINA SEES CANVASES

Economic reactions growing out Of
he great war have caused America to
,,cbange places with Europe as the art
Mecca Of the world, according to Prof.
posouslc Farina, Philadelphia artist
and authority on the works Of great
masters.
The arrival in New York several days
,so of consignment, Of master
works" smugglcd out Of Italy by cmis-
,opics Of needy noblemcn for prospective
customers in this country. wi no doubt
como AS a shock to many in the art
World and cause keen search and bid
dinc by art dealers and private collcc-
Tors for the noted paintings. Prof.
Farina rrtuSpcd yesterday from New
York where he saw the latest consign-
mNnt.
This consignment. states Prof. Fa-
ripa. is but one Of n series that have
bccn coming to our shores in an un-
ntcrrllptcd stream since the war. rcp-
rpsenting hundreds of thousands Of dol
lars in value and priceless in their ar
tistic enrichment of this country since
many Of them are authenticated world
masterpieces.
Nearly every European country has
surrendered its quota. Some have been
smugglcd out in defiance of laws de-
signed to protect them, others repre-
sent the helplcssnesS of their countries
to bid against their American com
pctitors and some represent MASTER
pieces rescued from Bolshevist and other
rcvoutonists Many great works have
been destroyed following these seizures.
declares Prof. Farina. In some cases.
churches have been stripped Of their art
treasures either by profane material
lists or through dire need. All of them
have come to this country.
Artists Represented
Among the masterpieces represented
In the exodus arc Titan. ValaSqucz,
RubCns Rembrandt. Pcrugini. Van Os-
tadc. Van Dyck. Paul Neroncse. Ben
ozzo Gozzoli Francia. Van Blomcn,
Hart. Gainsborough. Bellotti, Guardi
and Salvador Rosa
Tho paintings. some in a remarkably
good state of preservation. others con-
sideraby the worse for the ravage OF
time and lack Of care, represent values
varying from few thousand to
hundred thousand dollars. Many prim-
tive paintings and priceless antiQucs
rich in tradition aud association have
found their way to our shores. There
is no doubt, says Prof. Farina. that
cOnnoiSScurs Of the world must now
rOmc 10 America to find the worth
while masterpieces of the world outside
Of those in the great museums and gal
lerics Of Europe.
Like a romance of classical history in
the tai" "f smuggling OF grand scale
unfOdcd by the Philadelphia artist in
describing how these great works in
possession Of nobility of the old world
have found their way TO this country
10 form the nucleus of collections being
formulated by Americans who made for
tunes during the great war.
Four Hundred Noted Art Works
The war. which rendered many Euro
poan nObemcn impecunious and made
many comparatively poor men rich in
this country. has been indirectly re-
sponSiblc for bringing here some 400
noted works of art. including about
sixty Of the worlds accredited master
pieces and priceless antiques. The for
tunes Of war have made many of these
treasures without price bargains" for
newly rich Americans. who are anxious
10 'Nrhangc part of their fortunes for n
bit Of old world culture.
On the other hand necessity has
Scions of noble families for
almost numberlcss generations declares
Ptof. Parma, to give up their treasures
TO postpone the day when they will have
10 Shattrr tradition and 20 to work to
Tarn their own living.
. Alarmed at the rate at which their |
treasures have been going to alien shores
ind d"pIoring the great private col
'"tionS of Italy and other countries"
says Prof. Farina. laws have been
passed requiring notification by individ-
laIs about to dispose of pictures so
mat the government may have the op-
iortnnity of adding them to their ma
.ona collections.
In many cases the governments have |
'crh unable to stand against the golden
hducrmcntS of collectors in this coun-
rE' ana the paintings were sent with
nc consent of the authorities.
Ihcrc are numbcrleSs other eases.
low"vcr. where. fearing they would be
compelled to sell their treasures to the
government at low price, European
loni"h'Cn have resOrted to smuggling.
'Rcdoublcd efforts on tho part of
have only intensified the