ITALIAN ART.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19819, 6 January 1930, Page 6

ITALIAN ART.

EXHIBITION IN LONDON. TREASURE SHIP FROM ITALY. (nov oon ows COBMBPOSDEKT.) LONDON, November 26. A ship is bringing to London the treasures of Italian art, which will be seen at the Anglo-Italian Art E»* hibition at the Burlington Galleries esrlv next year. In this connexion Signor Mussolini lias found a means of paying a tactful tribute to the art of Italy. The ship originally chartered was the Caesar Baptiste," but Signor Mussolini, learning that this vessel had a sister, the Leonardo da Vinci—named after the great Italian artist —he decided to change the charter, and it will be the Leonardo da Vinci that will arrive in England with Italy's gems of art. The exhibition is a sequel to the Anglo-Belgian and Anglo-Dutch exhibitions, which proved great successes and for its organisation Lady Chamberlain is largely responsible. During her visits to Italy with Sir Austen on the occasion of various conferences which Sir Austen attended as British representative. Lady Chamberlain discussed the project with a number of Italy's art devotees. The idea of an exhibition of Anglo-Italian pictures in London grew, and this coming exhibition is the outcome of two years of organisation.

Five Hundred Pictures. Lady Chamberlain's efforts have been untiring. They did not cease after she left Italy, for she has worked indefatigably with the committee, of which she is chairwoman, to bring the exhibition into being. Dr. Modigliani. whom Signor Mussolini appointed Italian Commissioner on the Executive Committee in this country, has just returned to Italy to superintend the transport of the pictures, a delicate and responsible task in view of the fact that they are valued at several millions sterling. An enormous insurance premium is being paid. * The exhibition will include about 500 pictures by Italian artists. The majority of them, 6ays Major A. A. Longden (English secretary of the exhibition), and coming from Italy, but British owners and galleries will lend many masterpieces. Several are being sent by the King from Hampton Court. Windsor Castle, and Buckingham Palace.