ITALIAN MASTERPIECES

Evening Star, Issue 20372, 2 January 1930, Page 9

ITALIAN MASTERPIECES

EXHIBITION IN LONDON THOUSANDS TURNED AWAY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 30. The exhibition of Italian pictures, which London owes primarily to the generous enthusiasm of Signor Mussolini, was opened at Burlington House and proved to be a most remarkable selection of art objects. The only fear is that the. very perfection of the collection may defeat its own ends. The first day’s crowd was of such dimensions that thousands were turned away and those who wore lucky enough to reach the galleries had the greatest difficulty in seeing the treasures. Every phase of Renaissance painting is represented, and there is an astonishing series of fifteenth and sixteenth century masterpieces displayed. Hanging in tho central gallery is Giorgione’s ‘ Tempest,’ the most valuable picture in the world, and insured for £500,000. There is a wonderful series of portraits of Christ and the Crucifixion. The central gallery exhibits number 1,000, 300 of which are from famous British collections. Others are from Italy, Europe, and America. . Three kings— George the Fifth, Gustavus of Sweden, and Emanuel of Italy—contributed to the exhibition, the profits of which are likely to be a record, and will be divided between the British National Arts Collection Funds and similar funds in Italy.