New-York tribune., 1922-08-18
Museum Gains.
.DlltcllMadolnr1a.
Egyptian Relics
Fifteenth Century Canvas
Bought by Metropolitan
and Ancient Curis,s Given
by E. 8. Hardness ON View
Onwater Picture Brilliant
! Quentin Roosevelt Silver
Piece Presented; Goblet
of 1870 B. C. Is Acquired

Madonna and Child" by Albert
van Ouwater, little known but brill
liant Dutch painter of the fifteenth
century, and an important collection of
antiquities from the most interesting
period OF Egyptian art, have recently
Deen acquired by the Metropolitan Mu-
scum Of Art, where they are on exhibi-
eiom IN To-day for the tlrst time.
me painting, which Is regarded as a
valuable addition to the collection of
garry Dutch masters, is museum pur-
celled selection from the the, golden Id a"er, er,
Oh King Amenhotep> Nv, numbering
more than 500 pieces, are the Gift Of
Edward s. Hardness.
Another interesting gift is that of
the Mouiton porringer, formerly be-
longing to Quentin Roosevelt, which
MRS. Theodore Roosevelt has presented
IN memory of her SON. This article,
made by William Moulton, famous
Colonial silvermith, was originally
owned by Nathaniel Gorham, a direct
ancestor Of the Roosevelts. In max
ing the gift, Mrs. Roosevelt wrote: "I
am deeply gratified that space is found
Tor Quentin's porringer within the
walls where he passed so many happy
hours OF his short and happy lifes'
A Naturalistic Madonna
The Van Ouwater Madonna is in an
almost faultless state of preservation.
1t pictures the Madonna with flowing
hair, slightly inclined head and lowered
eyes in contemplation Of the nude
Chrlst, which she holds in her left arm.
Behind, the scene Is divided between a
beautifully painted tapestry and an
open window, through which appears a
tree and lake vista The picture is
characterized by it's sincerity and that
quality typical in the faces of Dutch
Madonnas N which is more naturalistic
than idealized. The Christ child here
is striking example of the use of a
type taken from contemporary life. 1t
Is square headed, stiff limbed little
ngure bearing the marks Of an accurate
portrait of a Dutch baby. Little is
known of the pictures history, but it
comes to the museum authenticated by
the expert, Sir Martin Conway,
The larger part of the Hardness gift
came from the Lord Amherst collection
OF Suffolk, England, obtained from
Petrie's excavations in the city built
by Amenhotep or Akhenaton at Tell ell
Amarna. 1t includes large array Of
pendants, beads, scarabs and other
ceramics IN many colors, which were
used for personal adornment. This gift
also includes a group of sculptured
heads and reliefs, presumed to be trial
pieces from the workshop Of an an
cient sculptor.
Perhaps the most important indi-
vidual objects in the Egyptian group
are an alabaster goblet, dating from
1870 B. G. and rare gold signet ring
of that period of character indicating
possession by none other than a noble
or court favorite. Amenhotep's name
is engraved on the goblet, and it is be-
lieved to have been gift from the
king to one Khamwast, parsonage of
high standing, to whose ownership
most of the articles in the collection
are attributed. 1t is considered re-
markable that it survived to this day.
AS historical document and as work
OF art, 1t is regarded q treasure that
rarely q museum has the fortune to
possess. The ring weighs as much as
tour. or five large sgnets, and measured
In the values of its day, would have
purchased ten acres Of farming land.
These possessions are characterized
by the refinement of style and work
manship which drew it's inspiration
from the period in which Amenhotep
~ sought to inspire in his people the
doctrine Of inonotheism as opposed to
oeIef in the pagan gods.