LOST WORKS OF ART

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 38, 14 February 1931, Page 23

LOST WORKS OF ART

The Italian avt world rose up en masse in protest when reports from Venice stated that two important private art collections in the city of lagoons, ono of which contained Giorgiono's masterpiece, generally called "The Tempest," were shortly to be sold at auction, and thus scattered to the four corners of the carth —especially to the American corner, says the "San Francisco Chronicle." It was soon made clear that while the majority of the works of these two collections had, in fact, been exmpted by the Government from the provisions of the law against disposal outside of Italy, the country's principal art treasures, Giorgione's "Tempest." and a number of other important paintings involved, wore still subject to its provisions, and thus wcro not, for the present at least, in danger of being lost to the knd of their origin. But the scare had its effect, and now ways and means oi! better insuring

Italy's art treasures against expatriation are discussed. The fear is expressed that even though Giovgiono's masterpiece ia this time escaping the American art dealers it may not prove so lucky at some future date. The two art collections in question are that of Prince Giovanelli, which contains the Giorgione, and that of Dona Dcllc Rose. Prince Giovanelli, irritated by Press reports that might bo interpreted as reflecting on his patriotism, has written a letter to a newspaper in which lie makes clear that there is no question whatever of the sale of the Giorgione, and that the sale of other units of the collection is not to bo on the auction Jjlock. The collection of Dona Delle Eoso is known especially for some important works by Giovanni Tiepolo, the last important master of the Venetian school, and it appears that these specific pieces also will bo barred by the Government from, exportation.