Evening star., 1935-02-20
MELLON ART PLAN
|. BRINGS STIR HERE
Designation of Other Fa-
nous Paintings Awaited
for Monumental Gallery.
BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.

BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.
Their anticipations heightened by
announcements thus far, art lovers Of
Washington today were anxiously
awaiting designation of other famous
paintings marked for places In the
monumental gallery contemplated for
the Capital by Andrew w. Mellon.
Thus far. only six of the Pittsburgh
millionaire'S pictures have Eeen iden-
titled for display here.
Although it was learned today that
no more detailed statement may be
expected for several weeks, it is known
that there will be enough canvaSes to
fill gallery equal in size to that es-
tablished to house the Freer collection,
given to the Smithsonian Institution
in 1920 by Charles L. Freer of Detroit.
Mr.. Melons gift, as reported yes
terday. also includes funds for the
purchase of other notable MASTER
pieces as they may become available
in the future. His purpose Is to bring
Washington to an equality with Lon
don and Paris as one of the great art
centers of the world.
"Alva Madonna" Included.
OF those paintings thus far desig-
mated the so-called "Alva Madonna"
by Raphael Sanzio probably is the
most famous. The artist was born at
Urbino, in the papal states Of Italy,
April 6. 1888, only son of painter of
moderate talents. His life began in
obscurity, but such was his genius
that by 1900 he had achieved celebrity.
Among his productions were a long
series of frescoes for the Vatican, 10
designs for tapestry now at Hampton
Court. England; the "Sistine Madon-
na," Dresden, and pictures in Flor
ence. Milan and elsewhere. A general
favorite among all classes, he died of
the plague at Rome on his 37th birth
day and was mourned as "a prince of
painters"
The Cowper or Nicolini Madonna"
owned by Mr.. Mellon, also is Raphaels
work. It was acquired by an Ameri-
can agent from the Hermitage Palace,
Leningrad, when that collection was
dispersed by the Soviet authorities.
Augustus j. c. Hare, in his Studies
in Russia" speaks of it as being in
''the best and most delicate manner
Of the master" The composition
shows st. John offering the Infant
Savior a toy cross while the Holy
Mother sis wistfully watching the
prophetic play of the children"
A third picture is an impressive
"Crucifixion," by Pietro Vanucci, GUS
tomarily referred to as Perugino,
Raphaels teacher, born at CASTILLO
della Pieve in 1446. A great colorist
and skilled craftsman. he is remem-
bered for his Sistine Chapel frescoes,
executed for Pope Sixtus v; Ma
donna and Child" in the Albani Pal
ace, Rome; Holy Family" and Dead
Christ" in the Pitt Palace, Florence,
and frescoes at the Sala del Cambio,
Perugia, not to mention scores of
smaller pieces in the National Gallery,
London; the Louvre, Paris, and other
places. He died in 1924, leaving a
tradition of tireless labor as an in
spiration for his many pupils.
Work by Van Eyck.
Mr.. Mellon. also has an "Annuncia-
tion," by Jan van Eyck, Flemish mas
ter, born near Maaseyck about 1890
and considered one of the primary
inventors of oil painting. The Duke
of Burgundy, Philip the Good. en-
ployed him as an artist and as an
Ambassador, and he enjoyed excep-
tional success in both fields Of effort.
His pictures are notable for their
minute exactneSs of detail, their warm
and durable color and their hu-
manity-all his figures are direct from
life. natural in the highest degree.
It is recounted by his biographer
that his patron sent him to Lisbon,
Portugal, to paint the portrait Of
princess he planned to wed, and the
artist rendered the lady's likeness so
engagingly as to fix the dukes choice
to the advantage of all concerned.
JAMS career ended in 1441, but his
immortality is assured.
An example of the work of Tiziano
Vecellio, called Titan, is the COM
position known as THE Toilet of
Venus" purchased by Mr.. Mellon sew
eral years ago. This picture, repro
duced in The Star yesterday, shows
the Queen Of Love with Cupid holding
a mirror to reflect her beauty. It be-
longs to the Venetian masters mid
dle" period, and Is among his best ef-
forts in that time. Titan was born in
1477 and died August AZ, 1877. His
career ran through an entire century,
and the flame within him burned
bright until the very end. Works from
his hand are scattered in Austria, Ger
many, Great Britain, France, Spain,
the United States and, Of course, all
over Italy.
Alteration Of the Magi"
1.-The Alteration of the Magi," by
Botticelli, is one of several Of that
name which the artist, originally
known as Sandro Mariana di Filipepi,
painted. He was Florentine, born in
1444, q tanners son and goldsmith's
apprentice. Among his patrons were
the Medici' family and Popes SixtusfV