AS OLD PICTURE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19200, 5 January 1928, Page 6

AS OLD PICTURE.

RUBENS OR DE CRAEYER ? BEQUEST TO WELLINGTONRESIDENT. [THE PBEBS Speclxl Ssndce.] WELLINGTON, January 4. A picture which has come into the i possession of a Wellington resident is believed to be the work of an old master. possibly Rubens. The present owner of the picture has been advised to send it to London for expert examination. One of the names prominently associated with music in Wellington between thirty and tiftv years ago was that of Mr W. H. Spiller, who, after an absence of thirty years from this city, died in Hobart (Tasmania) in August, 1926. In the realisation of the estate of the late Mr Spiller (who was a nonagenarian), the Tasmanian Public Trustee took over the effects of the deceased, which have since come into the possession of the members of the family in New Zealand, viz., Messrs 11,I 1 , and S. Spiller (of Wellington), and Mrs Haggett, of Christchurch (formerly Miss Loila Spiller). These effects include, among other things, a remarkably fine oil painting, believod to be a very valuable old master of the Rubens school. It is a very strongly _ conceived and beautifully executed painting of "Christ Washing the Feet of His disciples." St, Peter silver haired and massive in head, body, and limbs, is actually the central figure. It is his feet that are being washed in a very large brass vessel, the rim of which cleverly suggests the glint of that metal. The kneeling figure of Christ suggests selfabnegation and humility, the face being small and the features delicate, whilst even the halo round the head, only faintly does not seek to attract especial attention to the figure. The Disciples ten of whom appear in the painting, almost life-size, are painted with rate skill and a fine Bense of harmony in colour. Bending over St. Peter with faces alive with curiosity are four of the Disciples. Another group of three on the opposite side are plainly excited, or, rather, exalted by the action of tho Master, whilst another two, one of whom is plainly Judas, are still seated at the table, where all have lately eaten. Whoever was the painter, it can be said that this notable subject has been treated with a boldness of design and technical skill that expose a master hand. About forty years ago "Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples" was exhibited throughout New Zealand as a possible Ruocns. Later it was shown in the big Melbourne Exhibition, when the art writer of the "Age" attributed the work to Gasper de Oraeyer, a celebrated Flemish artist, who, in his day, was esteemed scarcely second to the great Eubens himself. The late Mr Spiller also left nine violins, some of which are supposed to be very valuable. One is probably an Amati or Strad. When played by Zimbalist, in Wellington, that artist said it was certainly an instrument of great value, and one of the sweetesttoned violins he had ever played.