The New York herald., 1922-11-15
De Souhanli Art
First ShOWn in
New Galleries
American Art Association Pre-
sents Gothic and French
Decorative Objects.

The American Art Association chose
Tor its FIRST exhibition a rare collection
OF Gothic art and French eighteenth
century decorative objects recently &C.
quired by Henri S. De Souhami from
Prince Henri de Faucigny Lucinge and
Mime. Delong Of Paris, and these were
placed on view yesterday. With them
was shown in adjoining rooms the no.
table etchings from the collections OF
James C. Mcclure John REID and the
late Hugh l.. Bond.
The sale of the De Souhami collections
occurs on November II and is. and the
otchings on November Is and 16.
There Is much in the De Souhani col
lection that is royal in quality and that
has indeed served royalty in times past.
This applies not only to tho wonderful
old Gothic draperies but TO ~he medieval
stained glass. the ancient carvings IN
wood and certain pieces of FURNITURE. IL
never fails TO surprise the art experts
that art objects of such a resplendent
character should be sent for dispersal
among the citizens of a republic such as
this, but perhaps it is not so much OF
a surprise to the experts of finance, VINO
know the direction of the propelling cur
rents.
Jeanne dare Tapestries.
Among the tapestries is an historical
set OF Aubussorf hangings illustrating
episodes from the life of Jeanne d'Arc,
and these were hung on the choir pillars
OF the Cathedral of Notre Dame de
Paris. and formed the principal decora-
tons in the cathedral on May Il, 1922,
when the services were held comment
orative of Jeanne d'Arc's deliverance OF
France from the English. Tile Orleans
family commissioned the cartoons for
these tapestries. which were based di-
lectly upon the illustrations for the IA
NOUS poem by Jean 'Chapelain on the
life Of the Virgin of Domremy.
Only a few of the series were woven,
among which were the three now ex-
hibted. In the first one the Maid ap-
pears to Charles VII. and admonishes
him to regain his kingdom. In the sec
ond she appears alone clad in armor,
'and in the third she and the king are
grouped allegorically before the city OF
Orleans and an angel in the sky bears
the legend. France Delivered"
- A very interesting gothic tapestry Of
Flemish weave is a highly convention
allied representation of the six Ages
of Man." A decorative stockade runs
around the composition and incidentally
incloses a lot of quaint animals. which.
doubtless. are rich enough in symbol
ism. There is an inexhaustible amount
of detail. and all of it in lovely blues.
tans. rose crimson and ivory. There
is also royal tapestry from the col
lection Of Mr.. LeBreton, curator or the
Rouen Museum, which depicts in an ami
mated way the appearance of ''Sihon,
King of Amor, before Moses" A Gothic
hanging of fifteenth century make.
showing Warriors Going to Battle"
once belonged to the famous painter
Roybet.
Cupboard OF Fifteenth Century.
A wonderful oak cupboard of French
fifteenth century workmanship. with
carvings OF the saints upon the doors,
now visbly worn by the touching OF
countless fingers. comes from the Alb
baye dc st. Thorins. There is only one
like 1t known and that Is in the Musee
Cluny at Paris. From the same Abbaye
came q royal gothic oak stall. with
carved back and canopy and an old
gothic state bed. richly carved. Is i'm
mensely picturesque.
The stained glass panels from various
cathedrals and abbeys has the rugged
ness of design that only the ancients
understood. and the coors, of course,
have the brilliancy modified by age that
connoisseurs prize. Tho carvings in
clude figures of the saints. imbued with
the spirit of devotion. and largish In de-
sign, and with these are old choir stalls,
refectory tables. tapestrled chairs, small
bronzes. beautiful clocks. wrought iron
candelabra and many fine paintings from
the French primitives.
The etchings yesterday aroused their
special connoisseurs to enthusiasm,