Evening star., 1938-01-01
C.Men Uncover Rare Example
Of Chromolithographic Art
lntra.Red Photography
Solres Mystery of
Picture.

Scientific methods Of crime detec-
ton. employed by the Federal Bureau
OF Investigation in its war on crime,
were used recently to solve a mystery
of art
The part played by the F. B. rs
infra-red photography in identifying
an old painting as = rare chromolitho-
graph was announced today by Ruel
P. Tolman. acting director Of the Ma
tional Collection Of Fine Arts, in the
Smithsonian Institution.
Mr.. Tolman is an active supporter
Of The Stars art appreciation cam
paign and recently was a guest speaker
on radio broadcast in behalf OF the
movement to popularize art in Wash
ington and nearby.
The mystery had it's beginning in the
quiet atmosphere Of the Tolman home,
at 3451 Mount Pleasant street NV.
One of Mr.. Tolman's neighbors and
friends is Roger Williams, contractor,
who lives at 3445 Mount Pleasant
street.
Acquires Painting.
Mr.. Williams formerly had Offices
and plant in Southwest Washington.
From garageman in the neighbor-
hood he acquired for a nominal sum
a canvas painting showing Christ
blessing bread. The paintings previ-
Gus history, except as to its origin and
identity just disclosed is somewhat
dim. 1t is believed to have started cir
culation in Washington through the
auction sale of an artists estate.
Mr.. Tolman became interested when
his neighbor showed him the canvas.
Traces OF pencil writing were revealed
on the reverse side Of the canvas after
1t had been removed from the frame.
The writings could not be deciphered
with the unaided eye or with 4 hand
glass, It was explained in q bulletin
Of the F. B. I.
Suspecting it might be valuable, Mr..
Tolman took the canvas to his own
office and then turned It over to the
Federal bureal, which co-operates with
other branches Of the Federal Govern
ment In matters other than original.
Infra-Red Method Decided On.
Comparing the problem presented
with somewhat similar problems in
obliterated and partly obliterated writ
lngs which have come before the bu-
reau's technical laboratory in criminal
cases, it was decided to attempt to
emphasize the nearly indiscernible
writings by means of infra-red photoe-
raphy," explained the F. B. I. bulletin.
utilizing infra-red filters and the
special plates sensitive to the infra-
reo OF the spectrum, photographs were
prepared in which could be clearly
read the title Of the picture and part
OF the name Of the artist.
This writing was in German script
and translated into Christ Blessing
Bread"
This enabled Mr.. Tolman to identity
the canvas as a copy Of the original
painting of Carlo Dolci, italian artist.
The painting now hangs in the Dres-
den, Germany, art galleries. Dolci
lived during the Italian Renaissance,
from 1915 to 1886. His home was in
Florence.
The original engraving for the copy
undoubtedly was made in Dresden,
Mr.. Tolman explained. The COPY is
rare because it was printed directly
on canvas by very difficult chromo-
lithographic process.
Traced TO Richmond.
This method was popular between
1870 and 1880 in Germany. How this
copy Of Dolcis work reached the
United States has not been determined.
The stretcher frame revealed, how
ever, the name of 3 Richmond, Va,
dealer, and from this, it was learned
the copy was sold in Richmond tn
1874.
The rare acknowledgement now be-
longs to the National Collection Of
Fine Arts. Mr.. Tolman arranged for
the Federad Government to buy It
| from Mr.. Williams for Z nominal
sum. 1t Is now on exhibition in the
Division Of Graphic Arts at the
Smithsonian Institution.
After telling this story, Mr.. Tolman
expressed qualification at the success
OF The Stars art appreciation pro-
gram which is now closing its twelfth
and final week. 1T has served an
excellent purpose" he said, and
Washington will continue to enjoy its
benefits for a long time to come. It
has helped to stimulate universal
interest in art in this section"
All IL sets Of color reproductions
offered by The Star and the National
Committee for Art Appreciation are
on sale at the special art booth In The
Star lohhv The last at which v,Ant